“Yeah, I need to start watching where I’m going, don’t I?”
“You sure do. Head back. Let’s stop this bleeding, then we’ll take you for X-rays.” I look at her sternly. “Colt, seriously? You know you have to be checked out. I know you don’t want to leave her side, but if your nose is broken—”
“It’s not broken, and even if it is, I don’t care. I’m not leaving her. No arguments,” I reply, and Shannon shakes her head.
“I’ve never met anyone quite as stubborn as you are,” she teases with a slight laugh.
“When it comes to my girl, I’m as stubborn as you can get.”
Liz smiles while Ford watches me intently. I’m sure he’s waiting to see if I’ll say something, but he’s going to be my father-in-law, so I want to be on his good side. Plus, I don’t think Dee would approve of her father being charged with assault.
“Okay, let me get some supplies, and I’ll clean you up,” Shannon says, then walks out of the room. I rest my head against the wall while holding the tissues to my nose.
“Thank you,” Ford says, and I turn my attention to him and nod once. He returns the gesture and puts his hand out to help me up. Without hesitation, I take it, and he pulls me up.
“Sorry, I misjudged you, Colt.” Then he puts his hand out for me to shake, which, of course, I do.
We might be under considerable stress, but in the end, we need to find a middle ground.
For Dee.
Always for Dee.
Chapter Two
Dee’s tests came back, and two days later, they started bringing her out of the induced coma. They removed the ventilator tube and did a bunch of other stuff I can’t even remember.
Everything from the past week is a blur.
I’m sitting here, holding Dee’s hand like always, but the stark difference now is watching her chest rise and fall on its own, no ventilator tubes rammed down her throat.
It’s a step forward.
My nose hurts, and I’m black and blue, but at least Ford’s being civil. That’s something. I know he still doesn’t like me, but at least he’s being considerate and no longer blaming me.
Not that it matters. I haven’t stopped blaming myself.
I exhale, gently tracing circles over her hand with my thumb. Her skin isn’t as cold, and there’s a little more color in her cheeks. Dee’s fighting, and the doctors say she could wake up any day now. The swelling in her brain has diminished. Thankfully, it wasn’t as bad as they’d originally thought.
So… that’s something.
I let out a breath. I’m so damn tired. Sleeping in a chair’s no way to live, but I’m not leaving her side. Not now. Not when she could open her eyes at any moment. I even leave the bathroom door open so I can keep watch. The nurses don’t like it, but I don’t give a fuck. I won’t risk missing the moment my girl wakes up.
Picking up her hand, I kiss it tenderly. “I miss you,” I whisper before I lean down and kiss her cheek. I rest my head on her forehead and close my eyes, just taking in her scent.
“Mmm…” The sound is faint, and it has me opening my eyes quickly and wide.
Sitting back, I focus on her. “Dee?” I ask, my heart rate spikes, and my breathing stops.
She moans again, and I smile brightly, not because she’s obviously in pain but because I think sheiswaking up.Finally.
“Dee, can you hear me?” I question, and she moves her fingers slightly.
Excitement floods through me as I stroke her hair, kissing her forehead and then her hand repeatedly. “I’m right here, baby. I love you,” I say as her free arm moves, and she clenches at her abdomen, moaning slightly again. I think she’s in pain, so I press the call button for the nurse. “C’mon, open your eyes,” I whisper, and I watch her eyelids intensely.
The nurse comes in, but my gaze never leaves Dee. I can’t take my eyes off her, not now. I want to be the first thing she sees when she rouses.
“Everything okay, Colt?” Shannon queries.
