Total pages in book: 50
Estimated words: 47521 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 238(@200wpm)___ 190(@250wpm)___ 158(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 47521 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 238(@200wpm)___ 190(@250wpm)___ 158(@300wpm)
Dad watches us with happiness on his face. He knows how I feel about her. He may not know exactly, but I’m sure he has an idea.
We’re all quiet when there’s a commotion out in the hall. I tense until I see it’s Brook forcing her way through the door. “What the hell happened? Why did no one call me?”
Cassie raises her head and winces. “I’m sorry. I should have called you, sis.”
She hugs Ryan and looks around the room. “Where’s Mom?”
I shrug because I don’t know, and Ryan looks down at the floor. Cassie’s the one that answers. “She didn’t come. She was in the middle of something.” She raises her head to look at me. “Don’t take it personal. She’s never been the type to be there for people. It’s not you.”
I run my hand through her hair, pushing it off her face. “You don’t have to apologize for her. My three favorite people are here. I’m good.”
Brook threads her arm through Ryan’s. “I get you in the divorce, Dad.”
“Brooklyn,” Cassie admonishes.
She shrugs. “What? We’re all thinking it.”
Luckily, Dad doesn’t take offense and actually laughs. He and Brook talk, and I whisper to Cassie. “You okay? Want me to get you some meds for your head?”
She searches my eyes with shock registered on her face. “How is it you're hurt, and you’re worried about me? I should be asking you if you’re okay.”
I want to tell her. I want to tell her that I love her and that I’ll always worry about her, but with Brook and Ryan watching us, I don’t. I do squeeze her closer to me. “No matter what—if you’re in my arms, I’m good.”
If anything, she buries herself deeper into my side. “That’s good because I’m not leaving.”
I listen to Brook and my dad talk about her new job. She keeps turning, watching her sister in my arms, but she seems happy about it.
“When can I get out of here?”
My dad laughs. “Well, the doctor said a day or two. I can’t wait to see them try to keep you here.”
I shake my head. “I’m not lying in this bed for two days. There’s no way.”
Dad looks worried. “One day. Let them check you tomorrow and then you can ask to be released.”
I’m about to tell him no when he pleads with me. “Son, please. Will you do this for me?”
I sigh because my dad knows I have trouble telling him no. “Fine. One day. Tomorrow, I’m out of here. You can go on home and get some rest. Maybe bring me some clothes back tomorrow. Do you still have my extra set of house keys?”
Dad nods. “I do. But I’m not sure how I’m getting home.”
“I can get you,” Brook says. “Walker insisted on driving me here, so I can just have him drop you off at home.”
Dad’s eyes light up. “Walker? Is he driving his big ‘Boss’ truck?”
Brook scrunches up her nose. “The white one?”
Dad and I both roll our eyes, and Dad tells her, “Yeah, the white one.”
“Then yeah, that’s what he’s driving.”
My dad seems almost giddy to get to be riding in Walker’s big rig. He comes over to stand next to the bed. “You’re sure you’re okay?”
I gesture to Cassie in my arms. “I’m good, Dad. I promise.”
He leans down and kisses the top of my head and then does the same to Cassie. “You two take care of each other.”
“We will,” I assure him.
Cassie murmurs the same.
Brook comes over next and side-hugs both of us. “See you, sis. See you, bro.”
I hear the teasing tone in her voice and Cassie does too because she sticks her tongue out at her.
Before they leave, I tell Dad, “Can you tell JB and everyone I’m okay, that I just need to rest?”
“I will, son. I’ll see you in the morning. Love you both.”
“Love you,” I call after him.
“Love you,” Cassie says softly and with her voice full of emotion.
We lie here for a few minutes before I ask her, “Do you want to talk?”
Her reply is instant. “No. Can you just hold me, Baker?”
“Yes.” I whisper against her head before I kiss it. I’m not sure what’s coming tomorrow, but I’m going to enjoy having her in my arms tonight.
CHAPTER 25
CASSIE
“You go back to work tomorrow.”
He doesn’t have to remind me, though. For the last week, I’ve dreaded this day, knowing I’d have to go back to work and leave him. To cover up my worry and sadness, I joke with him. “Are you sick of me already?”
I’ve been with him for seven days straight, twenty-four hours a day. I probably could have left him long enough to go to the store or run errands, but I didn’t want to. Luckily, Ryan has been more than helpful. He packed up some of my clothes and bathroom items and brought them over. He’s gone to the store and stocked the fridge. And he’s brought over takeout. He’s come by every day, and I get more of a glance each time what I was missing having a dad growing up.