Page 37 of With You

“Thank you, Karla,” Roe called to her back.

“Anytime, Cornelius,” she returned over her shoulder.

“Do I even want to know?” I dropped my head back to the pillow, exhausted with the effort I’d expended since waking up.

“Maybe? How about we let that wait until after you get some medicine and some breakfast.”

* * *

“I did what!”

Roe had just finished explaining to me what I’d said while high on pain medication, post-surgery. He kept referring to an alter-ego he called ‘loopy Sam’ and I wished she were a different person so I could punch her in the tit.

“You know, I’ve heard what you say when you’re drunk is what you wish you could say when sober. Maybe you subconsciously wanted to tell everyone about your secret boyfriend.” He leaned against the wall, arms casually crossed over his chest like my entire world wasn’t spinning out of my control.

“I’ve always been interested in the art of landscaping,” he stroked the stubble on his chin thoughtfully. “When we get you home, I wouldn’t mind tending to your lady garden for you while you’re recovering.”

I grabbed the pillow that was underneath my arm and chucked it at his head. He snagged it mid-air, his laughter only further souring my mood. “I don’t have the energy to properly fight you. Please remind me later that I owe you a kidney punch.”

“I’m afraid punching of any kind is not on your approved list of activities, kitten. It’s going to be nothing but bed rest, binge-watching and snuggles for the next week.”

I groaned and stared at the popcorn ceiling above me. Doing nothing wasn’t a facet of my personality. I’d had a job of some kind since I was fourteen, when I’d convinced the local grocery store that I was two years older so that I could get the bag-boy position. My above average height and my argument that the job title was inherently sexist had flustered the owner so much he’d agreed on the spot.

“Oh, come on, it won’t be that bad. I have a sexy little nurse outfit all picked out. I’ll make sure to drop lots of things on the floor so you can watch me pick them up.”

I snorted a laugh at the mental picture he created. “Gray and Kane are okay with you taking time off work?”

He moved to the chair at the side of my bed that had been his permanent home while I was here. Then he propped his booted feet on the edge of the mattress and tilted his chair back on two legs. “In all honesty, I think Gray is planning on taking some time off himself. I’d be shocked if he didn’t hole up in his place with his girls for the next two weeks and never let them leave his sight. Kane is aware that I plan on being with you during your recovery and that’s good enough for me. It’s not like they don’t know where to find us.”

My anxiety ratcheted up at the mention of Kane knowing why Roe would insist on being with me. “About that…” I started but shut my mouth at the serious very un-Roe-like glare he sent me.

“You told him I’m your boyfriend. You can’t take it back.”

“I wasn’t going to,” I said, obviously shocking him. “I was just going to say that I feel like we’re a little old for the whole boyfriend and girlfriend thing.”

“Okay, what would you like me to call you then?”

“I’m good with Sam when we’re around other people, kitten when we’re alone.” My voice became husky as I thought back to all the times he’d called me that when we were in bed together.

The chair dropped to the floor with a loud thud and he leaned over the bed, hovering right above my lips. “How about I call you mine.”

My heart beat faster and the machine that was monitoring it gave me away, causing a smug smile to bloom on his face. I narrowed my eyes, not wanting to give him further satisfaction. When I couldn’t stop my lips from twitching, he filled the small room with his laughter.

I grabbed my remaining pillow and smacked his gorgeous face. “Shut up, Roe.”

21

ROE

“Make sure that you keep the bandage dry. Baths are probably the best bet until your stitches are removed. Here are your prescriptions, make sure you get those filled today. Do you have any questions?”

Nurse Karla presented us with the discharge paperwork and a long list of what Sam could and couldn’t do during her recovery. I made sure I listened to every word, making a mental note to call the physical therapist and get her first session booked. She’d want to speed through her rehab as fast as possible, but I wasn’t going to let her skip a single step in getting better.

“Do I have to use the wheelchair? I was shot in the arm, my legs are fine,” Sam grumbled while I hid my smile behind the thick stack of papers.

“Hospital rules, Ms. Hebert. You’ve been doing so well. I’d hate for you to have to stay another night.” Nurse Karla had Sam pegged, she knew good and well that Sam would do anything to get out of here.

Sam begrudgingly sat down and I placed the bigfoot with devil horns that I’d crocheted for her in her lap. I’d worked on it at night while she slept, unable to sleep myself even though I was exhausted. Not only was I terrified something might happen to her while I was asleep, but when I closed my eyes all I saw was Sam’s bleeding body and pale face, unmoving in the back of that ambulance.

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