Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 124451 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 622(@200wpm)___ 498(@250wpm)___ 415(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 124451 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 622(@200wpm)___ 498(@250wpm)___ 415(@300wpm)
“That’s not fair.”
“Isn’t it? You’re blaming yourself for Colby’s actions, so why the hell can’t I do the same?”
“You got stabbed right in front of me, and I didn’t fucking notice.”
“I didn’t even notice,” I throw back at him. “Yes, you were consumed by rage but, given the situation, it was justified. At that point, Jax and Addie had already been hurt. There was nothing you could have done to change that, and if you didn’t go after him, he would have come for me, and this stab wound could have been a lot worse.”
“I never would have let that happen.”
Everything softens inside my chest, and I brush my fingers across his jaw. “I know that,” I tell him. “Just promise me you’re not going to carry the burden of this.”
He glances away, his hand coming up and curling around mine, bringing them both down to the bed. “I think I killed him.”
The pain in his voice tears me apart, and I squeeze his hand a little tighter. “Have you heard anything?” I ask. “How long have I been out?”
Tanner shakes his head. “It’s just after five in the morning, so six-ish hours maybe,” he explains. “Riley’s been going from room to room, trying to keep everyone updated. As far as I know, both Addie and Jax are out of surgery. We’re just waiting for them to wake up. As for Colby—nothing.”
“I could be wrong, but I’m sure if he were actually dead, the cops would have dragged you out of here for questioning ages ago.”
“The fucker wasn’t breathing.”
Pressing my lips into a hard line, I pull our joined hands up to my chest and hold them to my body. “I’m sorry,” I murmur. “I wish I could do or say something to make this all go away, but I think it’s gonna get worse before it gets better.”
“Yeah,” he says, his gaze dropping once again. “You don’t need to worry about me. All I want is to see you better.”
My gaze sails down my body and I lift my gown, peering through the neck hole to assess the damage. “How bad is it?”
“Not as bad as it looks,” he tells me. “You’ll be back on your feet soon. The knife didn’t hit any vital organs, but it was close. Just a little bit lower and you would have been taking laxatives for at least six to eight weeks.”
My brows shoot up, horror rocking through my body at the thought of having to take laxatives for weeks on end. “Fuck. Really?” I gasp. Nobody wants to see me on laxatives. I had an unfortunate incident with a gummy once, and I turned into a human squirt machine. And not in a good way.
“Yeah,” he says as a stupid grin cuts across his face. “That would have been a fun conversation.”
“Oh, I’m so glad my misery amuses you,” I say, though we both know the smile on his face would have made it all worth it … kind of. Okay, not really, but at least it helps.
“I’m sorry,” he says, his eyes sparkling with laughter as he tries to control his face. Though if I’m honest, I’d take that smile a million times over the hopelessness from a moment ago. “I really don’t mean to laugh, it’s just the look on your face. Laxatives don’t agree with you?”
“We are so not talking about this.”
“Call it market research. After all, I plan on spending the rest of my life with you, and at some point, something will happen, and you’ll have to take them. Don’t you think it’s best to get it all out in the open now?”
“Trust me, if I was on laxatives, everything would already be out in the open, and it wouldn’t be pretty.”
Tanner laughs and leans forward to press his lips to mine. “I fucking love you,” he tells me, “but please don’t ever put that mental image in my head again.”
I grin right back at him, loving the warmth I feel from him. “And risk never grossing you out ever again?” I gasp, feigning outrage. “What kind of life would that be?”
Tanner rolls his eyes and settles back into his chair, his brow arching with curiosity. “So I suppose this isn’t the time to remind you about all the butt stuff you so desperately want?”
My cheeks flush with embarrassment, despite Tanner being the one person I don’t need to be embarrassed in front of. Though, I’m more humiliated that I let a comment like that slip out in front of Riley. I can only imagine what that idiot is going to do with it. “You’re an asshole,” I tell Tanner, just in case he forgot. After all, it’s been a while since I reminded him.
Tanner laughs and shakes his head. “Seriously, Killer? You make it too easy.”
I love the way his eyes sparkle as he laughs, and it pains me to burden him with the questions I’ve been holding back. Unfortunately, my desperation can’t wait any longer. “How are Jax and Addie?” I ask, watching as all the happiness seems to drain from his face the moment I mention his sister.