Page 73 of Wildest Desire

Sitting down, I check my watch to see what time it is, but look up when I see someone standing in front of me. “Hey, Joe.” I stand up and glance over at the woman standing next to him.

“Your mom came to your apartment and told me about Lexi. I hope you don’t mind me coming,” he says quietly. His voice is shaky, like he’s been crying.

“Of course not, Joe. Lexi will be so happy that you’re here.”

“This is my wife, June. She made some of those Lemon cookie’s Lexi loves. I was going to bring them to her today.”

“Very nice to meet you.” I kiss her on the cheek.

“Nice to meet you, too. The way Joe has been talking about Lexi, you would think she was his daughter.” She looks at Joe with a smile.

“We are just waiting for her to wake up.” I get up and move out the way to give them a place to sit. “We’re not sure how long that’ll be.” Taking my phone out of my pocket, I shake my head when I see Angie’s name. “Either you don’t have the contract, or you're one stupid bitch,” I say into the phone as I walk to the other side of the waiting room.

“No, we got the contract, but we haven’t signed it yet. I just—”

“I don’t give a fuck why you're calling. I don’t want your fucking thank you, and I don’t want to hear your fucking voice. Sign the fucking papers and get the fuck out of my life.” Ending the call, I close my eyes and rest my head against the wall. They have what they wanted. Why do they think I want their thanks? Don’t they realize I’m not doing it for them?

“Come on. Lunch is here.” I lean against my mom’s hand resting on my back. “Everyone is hungry. Plus, you’re scaring the girls. You need to bring it down a notch.” She’s trying to be funny, hoping it'll calm me.

“I’m tired, pissed off, and scared. I’ve never been scared before, Mom.” Turning around I look at her, then I lean my back against the wall.

“What has you scared? The doctors said she would be fine and she’ll be able to go home, soon.”

“Which home? Our home? Or is she really thinking about leaving me? I’m afraid that no matter what I say, she won’t come back with me.” I focus on the floor, not wanting to see if anyone is looking at me. I know I shouldn’t care, but like Travis said, when we walked through that door, I had to be strong. God knows I’m trying.

“Having your heart broken is the risk you take by falling in love.” Putting her fingers under my chin, she forces me to look at her “Give her some time. As hard as it’s been on us, we can only imagine how hard it’s been for her.”

“How do I make her believe that none of this matters without her in my life?” I need someone to give me the answers. I need someone to tell me what I have to do to make it all right.

“Be there for her. Be there and don’t leave, no matter what she says.” I look over my mom’s shoulder at the door as it opens.

Nodding to my mom, I walk past her toward the nurse.

“Is she awake?” Dan asks.

“Yes. I know someone is anxious to see her,” The nurse says, looking at me with a smile.

“Can I take one person with me? Just for a minute.”

“One minute,” she says, pointing at me.

“Joe, I think someone is ready for her lemon cookies.” I turn to him, and his expression shows me how happy he is to get to see her.

“She can't eat anything, yet—she can only have clear liquids for now,” the nurse tells me in a serious tone.

There’s no way I would risk her wrath by giving her even a little taste. “Trust me, I won’t. I'll follow your rulebook.” I reassure the nurse that what she says, goes.

Walking into the room with Joe, I look over at Lexi lying in bed. “I thought I would bring someone with me that really wanted to say hello.” I walk over to Lexi and kiss her forehead before backing off to let Joe come closer.

“I brought you some lemon cookies, but the nurse said you can’t have any yet.” Joe walks over to her, then takes her hand and gently kisses it.

“Thank you,” her voice comes out quiet and weak. “You…didn’t have to come.”

“I have to tell someone all the things I’ve found out about our resident tenants.” Joe starts laughing. “So, when you get back, I think we need to meet for tea.” Moving closer to Lexi, Joe kisses her cheek. “But, for now, you rest and get better,” he tells her. “Thank you, Mr. Knight, for letting me see her.”

“Ethan, call me Ethan.” I take his hand and shake it respectfully.

Moving closer to the bed, I take Lexi's hand in mine. “Please don’t scare me like that again.” I kneel down next to the bed, getting eye level with her. “You look tired. Do you want to go to sleep?” I ask her. She shakes her head slightly. I slide the chair beside the bed a little closer to her side. “I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere. Please, don’t push me away.” Pressing my lips to her hand, I let them linger a little longer than I normally would.

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