Page 110 of Rematch
“I am not going anywhere. If God wants my soul, he’ll have to fight me for it. And we both know the odds aren’t looking too good for Him on that front.” He pushed one of the stray curls hanging in front of my face behind my ear. “Like it or not, but you’re stuck with me for a long time.”
I smiled at the confirmation.
“Are you hungry?” I asked. “I brought some of your favorites from Dad’s restaurant - all soft foods, though, so Ms. Tati won’t murder me.”
“Man, anything is better than the pudding and Jello she’s been feeding me all day. I’m starving.”
I giggled. “I’ve got some barbecue pulled pork, mashed potatoes, and mac and cheese.”
“Sounds like heaven to me.”
I pulled over the food tray attached to his bed and made him a plate.
Max didn’t waste any time gobbling up the food. He even devoured the second plate I made for him. He wasn’t kidding when he said he was starving.
Once his belly was nice and full, he lay back against the bed with heavy eyelids. I threw a sitcom on the television for him to watch while I cleaned up our mess and tucked the covers around him. “Wait,” he said, grabbing my wrist when I reached for my coat. “Will you stay with me? Please.”
I couldn’t say no to the frown on his lips and the crease between his brows. Not after all he’s been through over the past few days.
Max scooted over the best he could as I climbed onto the bed.
I curled up next to him and lay my head on his shoulder. I kept one ear on the television and one on his breathing. The latter slowed with every minute, letting me know he was falling asleep.
He leaned his cheek on the top of my head. “I love you, Audrey,” he mumbled, barely conscious.
I wrapped an arm around his lower torso, careful of his bandaged wounds, and gave a soft squeeze. “I love you too, Max,” I replied, holding him as tightly as his wounds allowed. “I love you, too.”
Chapter 46
Max
I don’t think I’ve ever gotten dressed faster in my life. The moment the doctors cleared me to leave this sterile white purgatory, I hopped straight out of bed and reached for the clean clothes my mother bought for me. I was starting to lose my mind sitting around and staring at these blank walls all day. Especially when I had unfinished business to take care of.
“Slow down,” Mom fussed at me. “You may be getting discharged, but you’re still not a hundred percent.”
“Yeah, you need to take it easy,” my father added. “Maybe stay with your mother for a few days. Let her take care of you.”
I shot him a sharp look. What he really meant is I should let Mom hover over me until Adrian left town. He extended his visit due to the attack, but he needed to fly back home soon for the upcoming holidays. My dad couldn’t control him - hell his own dad barely could - and I knew the last thing he wanted was for us to be on the prowl together.
“Don’t worry,Tío,” Adrian spoke up. “I’ve got him.”
“Yeah, and Audrey will be spending the next few nights with me. She’s a whole doctor, remember? I’m in good hands.”
“But, you need to be careful. You can’t over exert yourself.”
“Don’t worry, dad. I know how to delegate.”
His brow twitched at the term. Glancing between my cousin and me, his lips tugged into the tiniest of smiles. “If you say so.”
One of the nurses returned with my discharge paperwork and sent us on our way.
I walked with Adrian to his car and climbed into the passenger seat. “So, what’s the plan?” I asked as I carefully pulled the seatbelt over my torso.
“For today? You’re taking your ass home and sitting down somewhere.”
“What? But, I’m fine!”
“You’re still high on pain meds. Wait until it wears off in a few hours and see how you feel.”
