Total pages in book: 22
Estimated words: 20775 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 104(@200wpm)___ 83(@250wpm)___ 69(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 20775 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 104(@200wpm)___ 83(@250wpm)___ 69(@300wpm)
“I’ll give you guys some time. Let us know if you need anything.”
She left and Forrest reached for the chair by the bed. “You wanna sit?”
“No.” I shook my head, still leaning over the bed. “I don’t wanna be that far away yet.”
He took the seat across from me and leaned forward on with one elbow on his knee and the other arm tucked between the bed rails, his hand wrapped around Mark’s forearm. “Fuck you, man,” he said quietly. “Scared the shit outta me.”
I wasn’t sure how long we sat there, me on the edge of the bed and Forrest on the other side, his hand never leaving Mark’s arm. Eventually, I looked up at the clock and realized that it was already after one in the morning.
Leaning forward, I brushed my lips over Mark’s, careful not to touch the air tube running into his nose.
“Wake up, baby. It’s Valentine’s Day, and you made all sorts of promises.” I was teasing, and I didn’t really expect him to wake up, so I was a little startled when his hand tightened around mine.
“My Valentine,” he breathed, his lips curving into a smile.
Chapter 5
Mark
Everything fucking hurt and I was so tired but I was finally going home. For the first couple of days, I’d been pretty out of it. My memories were hazy, mostly snapshots of Poet sitting by the bed, her parents standing down by my feet, my team, Cecilia asleep in the chair, pumping with her back to the room, sitting next to me holding my hand.
She’d been making the trip between our house and the hospital every day, five hours round trip so she could be there for both the kids and me. Every time I saw her, she looked a little more worn out, and it was a fucking relief that I could go home so she could get some rest. I sat on the edge of the bed while she talked with the doctor, asking a million questions.
“Baby, I’m good,” I cut in, reaching out to pull her hand away from her mouth. She always pulled at her lips when she was worried and the poor things looked chapped and raw. “I wanna go see my kids. You got any more questions, you can call, yeah?”
“Excuse me for worrying,” she snapped, glaring at me.
“You’re excused,” I mumbled, getting to my feet. I reached out and shook the doctor’s hand. “Thanks, doc, but I’ve got somewhere to be.”
“Yeah, home in bed,” Cecilia snorted.
“My bed is a hell of a lot better than this one, alright?” I looked back at the doctor. “No offense.”
“None taken. Go home, see those kiddos.” She walked out of the room and I reached for my bag at the end of the bed.
“No way in hell do you think you’re carrying that bag,” Cecilia growled, practically ripping it away.
“Cec, if you think you’re carrying the bag—”
“Watch me.” She laughed, holding it out of my reach. “All I have to do is walk fast and you won’t be able to catch me.”
“You know, you’re kind of an asshole,” I bitched, following her out of the room. “I’ve been injured.”
“Suck it up, buttercup.” She grinned.
I couldn’t help the laugh that bubbled out of my throat or the wince when I reached for her.
“I’m glad you’re coming home,” she said, slowing down so she could hold my hand. “It’s been pretty quiet around the house.”
“Now I know you’re lyin’,” I teased, squeezing her hand. “Our house is never quiet.”
“It’s quiet after the kids go to sleep,” she replied, leaning her head against my shoulder.
“Well, I’ll be home for a while.” I kissed her head. “On my ass and zero help with anythin’, but home.”
“Funny thing about that,” she said as we reached the elevator. “People keep sending over food, so I haven’t had to cook since you got hurt.”
“Bonus.”
“I know! I think we should keep milking it,” she joked. “Plus, my sisters and Rose have come over a few times to clean the house.”
“So what you’re saying is that the next time any of your family comes over I need to play dead.”
“Ew, no.” She shuddered. “Just moan a little like you’re in a lot of pain. That should do the trick.”
“I miss the kids,” I said quietly, my throat thick. “I can’t wait to get home.”
“They know you were hurt,” Cecilia explained as we walked off the elevator. “So, they know they need to be careful, but I kept the details to myself.”
“It’s not like they’d understand it anyway,” I muttered. “Good call.”
Eli was standing outside the front doors of the hospital, a shit-eating grin on his face and some kind of chauffeur hat on his head. “Milady,” he said, laughing as he opened the back door of our SUV. “Good sir.”
“You’re a fuckin’ idiot,” I snickered, reaching out to slap his shoulder.