Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 102549 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 513(@200wpm)___ 410(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102549 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 513(@200wpm)___ 410(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
“How long have you been here? What day is it? How did you get here?”
“It’s been about eighteen hours. Kit called a couple of days ago because he was worried about you. He said he was probably overreacting, but I could tell it was more serious than that, so I hopped a plane. Lucky I did because we were together when we heard what happened. Kit has refused to leave your side ever since.”
His lips quirk. “But not you?”
“Not gonna lie, I wanted a shower about six hours ago.”
“Oh. That’s what that smell is.”
He’s trying to be his usual self, and yes, he’s more lucid than he has been, but his snark doesn’t hit the right tone. It might be the meds, but he doesn’t have the same zing like he usually does.
“How are you, really?” I ask.
“Confused. Tired.”
“Oh good, so we’re all on a level playing field, then.”
“You could have gone home to shower, you know.”
I shake my head. “Nah. I didn’t want to leave Kit. He’s been … not himself. You know it’s serious when I’m the one rushing around making sure you’re both okay.”
That seems to confuse him more. “But … why?”
“Why was he worried, or why am I being all grown-up and shit?”
“I didn’t even know you could be grown-up and shit—”
I throw up my hands. “I’ve never once been completely helpless. I let you guys take care of me because I love it.”
“You mean to tell me you’ve been a multi-functioning human this whole time?”
I pinch my thumb and forefinger together. “Little bit.”
“Huh. Interesting. Surprising, even. But not as much as Kit freaking out. We’ve been in these situations before. He knows the score.”
“He also cares about you more than he cares about anyone else on this planet. You go missing, you bet your ass he’s going to be worried. And he wasn’t the only one. The thought of never seeing you again—”
“Hey …” Prescott’s soothing voice encourages me to look him in the eye. “I’m okay. I’m here.”
“You have a long recovery ahead.”
“I know I do. But I’ll survive it.”
“Your teammates said you’ll be doing rehab here.”
“I guess I am.”
“I was thinking … maybe I can ask for some time off work and stick around for a bit. If you and Kit will have me.”
Prescott breaks into a wide smile. “You bet your cute little ass we’ll have you. With how many drugs I’m on, I probably won’t be able to get it up anytime soon, but I can watch you and Kit go at it.”
This is where I’d usually say something sexual back—keeping my emotions tucked away. Refusing to admit that cheapening what we have and reducing it to only sex—even if that’s what we agreed on—makes my chest ache. But after almost losing Prescott, I don’t think I can do it.
“Actually, I wanted to stay for moral support. To be here. For both of you.”
“No sex?” Prescott asks.
“Well, I want the sex too, but I want you to know I’m not only here for that. I want …” I want more.
Those are the words I still struggle with.
A shadowy figure fills the doorway, and when I look up, Kit steps into the room. I don’t know how long he’s been standing there for, if he heard my plans, or what, but he’s holding three wrapped sandwiches from the hospital cafeteria and wearing a concerned look.
He’s by himself.
“Where’s my family?” Prescott asks the thing I’m thinking.
“I asked them to give us a minute because I want you to hear me out.” He glances at me. “Both of you.”
Prescott taps my hand. “This could either be a plan to seek revenge on the people who made the Hawk that crashed or asking you to stay for the summer.”
“That one,” Kit says. “The second.”
Relief whooshes out of me. “I was just saying that myself. I don’t have classes, and I should be able to get my uncle on board. I, uh …” I rub the back of my neck. “I told him about you two.”
“You what?” Kit asks. “You didn’t tell me.”
“We were preoccupied with other things.”
Prescott shifts, trying to sit up straighter, and Kit immediately goes over to his bedside to raise the adjustable mattress. Prescott meets Kit’s cool gray eyes. “Please tell me one of the other things was sex.”
I rub my chin. “There might have been some of that in there, but mainly we were worried about you.”
“Kit is so slack,” Prescott says. “If it had been the other way around, I would’ve made you come so much you couldn’t even remember Kit was missing.”
Kit rolls his eyes.
“I dunno,” I say. “I think if either of you were missing, I’d be lost.”
Prescott touches his heart. “Is it the concussion, or has Brady Talon learned how to be … sweet?”
“I’ve always been sweet, buttface.”