Page 84 of Perfect Alpha

“Sore. Aching. Miserable,” I admit, with a wince.

“Can I do anything?” she whispers, her hand already tenderly stroking my back.

God, yes. You could never leave me because I love you so fucking much. But I don’t say the words. She thinks I’ll hurt her again when all I want to do is go to the ends of the earth to protect her.

I shake my head, mostly at my own stupidity. “I’ll be fine. Don’t worry about me.”

Victory leans back, her hand falling away. “Okay, Cade.” She wiggles out of my arms and turns to leave. “Let me know when you get released. I assume Gavin is coming to get you?”

I nod in confirmation, but my throat is so tight there’s no way I can speak.

“I’ll call your insurance company to start the claim process. And I’ll also help you plan the… the… f-f-funerals. You can’t do it alone.”

My eyes close at her kindness. “Thank you. I’d appreciate that, Victory.”

“Sure.” She kicks the floor with her boot, which in my mind is stalling for time. “Well, you know where to find me.” I nod, and she adds unnecessarily, “I’ll be with my parents.”

She doesn’t want to go, and I’m cursing myself for not begging her to stay. I need to say something, anything, so she doesn’t walk away.

But I don’t.

She wants to be my friend, and friends don’t stay in each other’s hospital beds and clutch onto each other like lifelines.

So, I nod again instead.

“I’m so sorry, Cade. I’ll see you soon.”

Chapter 30

Victory

Filledwithrestlessanxietywhile pacing my parents’ house, I’m not sure what should happen next. I need to move, to dosomething, but I don’t know what.

I already called Cade’s insurance company to get him a rental truck, contacted the funeral home to arrange a visit the day after tomorrow, and reached out to the facility that Cade and Hannah chose for their dad, trying to find out if there was any way to get him in early.

That was a heavy call, a big decision to make without Cade’s consent, but he can’t take on anything else. When I explained the situation, the sympathetic administrator whispered conspiratorially that she would bump the next person on the list to give Carl a spot.

Now Cade’s dad can move in before Christmas, which is bittersweet, but unfortunately what’s required. People in Montana are so nice, or maybe it’s just the holiday spirit. Whatever it is, I burst into tears when I didn’t think I had any left and couldn’t stop thanking the woman.

Gavin’s truck pulling into Cade’s driveway is visible from my perch at the window, bringing me back to the present. I race toward the front door, pausing only to throw on my winter gear before dashing over to meet them.

Cade looks startled and then elated before taking me into his arms, inhaling my neck. “Thank, God,” he breathes. “I can’t…” He can’t go in the house alone, and he’d never ask anyone for support.

“I know,” I whisper. “It’s okay.”

“Hey, beauty,” Gavin drawls, his expression grim. “I’m really sorry about Hannah.”

I nod, tears spilling down my cheeks as I hug him tightly.

“I’m going to keep Aidan overnight,” Gavin whispers. “He doesn’t understand what’s going on, so he’s having fun exploring the ranch and meeting all the animals. We’ll end the day with pizza and a movie to sneak in as many simple pleasures as we can.”

I’m sure Aidan couldn’t be happier because he has no idea he’s never going to be in his mama’s arms again. It’s a relief he wasn’t physically hurt in the accident, but he has countless mental and emotional hurdles ahead of him.

“Is Bobby able to fly back?” I ask. Hopefully, they’ll give him a pass and let him have a few unexpected days off.

“He’s playing the game on Sunday,” Gavin admits with a wince. “He’s flying home right after, but has to be back for the following one.”

“Thank you, and pass that along to Bobby, too,” I reply, kissing Gavin on the cheek. “I know his world is a crazy one.”

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