Page 20 of Justus
Sadiegrabs my hand and we’re lead down a maze of hallways before reaching a privateroom in the cardiac wing. Amber looks tiny in the hospital bed, although hercolor is a little better. “Mom, how are you?” Sadie rushes to her side.
“Betternow. They’re giving me Lasix to remove some of the fluid buildup in my lungs.That’s why I couldn’t breathe. The doctor said I’ll probably be released in themorning.”
Shesays it as if it’s no big deal, and I assume she’s had this happen more thanonce. Sadie lets out a sigh of relief, and Doug enters with a cup of coffee.“I’m staying the night,” he announces.
“There’sno need for that,” Amber argues. “I’m just going to sleep.”
Dougflops into the small reclining chair and puts his feet up. “And I’ll be hereplaying on my phone.”
Ambershakes her head and regards me. “Take my daughter home, then. Throw her overyour shoulder if you have to.”
“Mom…”
“I’mfine. You know we’ve been warned about this, honey. I’ll be in and out of thehospital until they find a donor.”
Sadiehas explained to me the chances of finding a compatible donor are very slim,but she gives a reluctant nod. “We’ll go back to the house.” Turning to Doug,she says, “Call me if anything changes.”
“Iwill.”
“Andyou call if you want us to bring you anything. Hospital food is disgusting,” Itell Amber.
Ambersmiles at Sadie. “This one’s a keeper, girl.”
Thelittle sideways grin Sadie gives me makes me feel about ten feet tall. “Yeah, Ithink so too.”
Whenwe head home, she gazes at me from the passenger seat. “I’m sorry I dragged youinto this. I really just thought it’d be a week hanging out with my mom. Ididn’t think she’d be this sick this fast. I know this isn’t what you signed upfor.”
Iturn the car off and face her. “Hey, all this fake boyfriend crap aside, you’remy friend, Sadist. I know we give each other shit, but I like you. You don’tneed to apologize for anything. I want to be here for you.”
“Thankyou,” she sighs, relief ringing in her voice.
Sadieis quiet and withdrawn the rest of the night. We spend a couple of hourswatching T.V. before heading up to bed. Without a word, she curls up in my armsas if she belongs there. The terrifying thing is…I’m starting to think shedoes.
Thisis all for show with her, I know that. And I realize she’s turning to me forcomfort because I’m the only one here, but it’s getting hard to remember thatthis isn’t real. What the hell is wrong with me anyway? I have women falling atmy feet every night and I don’t even blink. Why does this stubborn woman get tome?
Eversince Ayda introduced us almost a year ago, I’ve tried to get with her.Granted, in the beginning it was because she’s gorgeous. Plump ass, full tits,and legs that go on for miles. What guy wouldn’t go for it? But she hasattitude enough for ten chicks and after a while it was fun to rile her up, tryto get her ears to turn red.
Thisis the most time we’ve spent together alone and there’s just something abouther that makes me want…I don’t know what I want. To fuck her again? Absolutely.But part of me also wants her to look at me the way she did in the hospital,like maybe she sees more than just the stripper body everyone else wants.
Myhand delves into her hair, my fingers running through the long strands, and shegives a contented hum, her breath falling into a rhythm as she falls asleepwith her head on my chest.
ChapterFive
Sadie
Thesound of the shower wakes me and the events of the night before come floodingback. I grab my phone from the nightstand and breathe a sigh of relief whenthere are no missed calls or messages.
Dougpicks up on the first ring. “How’s mom?” I ask without the preamble of a hello.
“She’sfeeling a lot better. She’ll be discharged in a few hours. They put her on astronger diuretic to try to keep the fluid down.”
“Good.Thanks for staying with her. We’ll be there as soon as I get cleaned up. Can Ibring you anything?”
“I’dgive my left nut for an energy drink.”
“Yougot it.”
Justusstruts out of the bathroom just as I’m hanging up. Fucking hell, why does hehave to look that good? Wild blond curls flop onto his forehead as he bendsover to dig through his suitcase. A towel is tucked around his waist concealingwhat I now know is an impressive cock. His lean body is lined with ropes ofmuscle, those v lines that drive every woman crazy prominently displayed on hisnarrow hips.
