Page 55 of Derek
“Really? Well then, I’ll just take Indy, and we will go back to California.” He goes to move, and I tighten my hand resting on her hip.
“Fuck you.” I spit at his cocky grin.
“I understand why, Derek.” Fox’s voice takes on a heavy tone that makes me feel itchy. “What your ex did with your best friend was–”
“Stop,” I state, not wanting to think about it.
“Derek–”
“I can’t!” I whisper out harshly, desperate for him to shut up. My heart monitor starts beeping faster, and I watch as Indy stirs.
“Oh my god,” she breathes as she looks at me, her eyes filling with tears. “You’re… you’re awake!”
She wraps her arms around me while pressing her lips to mine. I have no time to react before she squeezes me again before sitting up. “How are you? Do you need anything? I’ll get the nurse. It’s about time for your medication.” I am about to tell her to stop for a second, but she gets off the bed, and I see it. Her knee gives out, and she grabs the bed for support.
“Are you alright?” Fox asks, helping her sit on the foot of the bed.
“Yeah,” she laughs lightly. “I think my leg is asleep.” Fox nods and volunteers to grab the nurse. “How are you?” Indy asks after a brief silence, and I shrug.
“I’m in pain and groggy.” She nods slowly. “I hear I have you to thank for me still being alive.” Pink rushes to her cheeks, and she shakes her head.
“Oh, no, I uhh… the medics and the doctors did most of it, plus your brothers.”
“Why did you stay here?” Her cheeks become even more red.
“You asked me to.” I blink my eyes in confusion. I thought I had been out this whole time.
“I asked you?” She nods, biting her bottom lip nervously.
“Before the ambulance arrived, you asked me not to leave you alone.” I try to swallow, but my mouth has gone dry. I watch a nurse, and the doctor comes in, thankfully keeping me from any more talk about what I had said.
Chapter24
Derek
“Istill don’t know how I got stuck going back home with you.” I groan as Janie grins from her seat.
“Because Indy has had enough time with you. It’s time for your OG tiny terror to get some lovins.” She says in baby talk while squishing my cheeks.
“I’m still mad at you,” I grumble, though it has zero effect. Janie cried when she woke up last week and saw me awake. And because I break out in hives when she does that, I told her I would go back to Hel’s. Not that I really planned on leaving there permanently. I was in the hospital three more days before I was able to break out. And then my mama made me stay home for another three days. That’s all I had in me, though. I promised I would come to visit again, and we were off. By “we” I mean Janie and me, because Fox and Indy took a flight home two days ago after I may or may not have lost my shit.
Indy was hurting, but still trying to run around and help me and the home aide. She wouldn’t fucking listen. So, I raised my voice, to which my brothers sided with her because she’s a fucking saint and makes them baked goods. Meanwhile, I’m the dickhead unappreciative bastard spewing hatred.
Looking over at Janie, I see her deep blue eyes staring at me, like really fucking hard. “What are you doing?”
“You’re definitely an autumn.” She states, nodding in satisfaction.
“No? My birthday is–”
“I know your birthday, jeez. Your undertones, for sure, you’re an autumn. Indy is a winter. No surprise there, the girl is basically a snow princess.” Did I miss part of this conversation?
“Are you talking to me? Or is this one of those times where you had half the conversation in your head.” She rolls her eyes at my question.
“Duh, I’m obviously talking about you. I’m trying to think of your wedding colors.”
“Wedding!?” I bark out, causing her to flinch.
“Would you keep it down? My god, you’ll bust your stitches screaming like that.”
