Mom continued to try to convince me their home was better. “Plus, your place is very small. How do you expect a wheelchair to fit?”
“The wheelchair is a precaution. I can walk just fine,” I said...while sitting in a wheelchair.
Not exactly helping my own argument.
Dean was on the other side of the room watching the conversation unfold. His arms crossed loosely, as he leaned against the windowsill, with his dark gray T-shirt taut around his biceps. He was content with listening after saying his piece several minutes ago; a simple offer to be there, at the apartment, when I needed it.
When he noticed my subtle glance in his direction, he offered me a small smile.
He had shaved off the stubble several days ago, going back to his cleaner look with his hair still a little tousled. I had told him I didn’t mind the stubble but truthfully did prefer the smoothness. Especially when kissing him. Which, according to him, we had a lot to catch up on.
“You also have to stick to your schedule of painkillers, which I think could be done better at home with us,” Mom added.
“I’m going back to my apartment,” I said, pulling my eyes from Dean. My mother snapped her mouth shut and I smiled warmly. Tiredly. “I appreciate the offer, Mom, I really do. I just think I’d be more comfortable around my own things, that’s all.”
She waved off the comment with a smile of her own. “Don’t be silly. We still have some of your things at home in your old room.”
“From when I was in high school.” I sighed but remained positive as I spoke to both parents. “You can still visit.”
Mom pressed her lips together, fighting the urge to say more before she flicked her hair from her shoulders with a shake of her head. “Okay, fine. Fine.”
It was strange, but I swear I felt the metaphorical leash she had on me loosen slightly.
“Thank you, Mom.” I knew she would have more to say, not in front of us but to Dad later in the car ride home. For now, I was happy to accept this little win.
Clipped footsteps approaching the door pulled everyone’s attention to my doctor as she walked in. A clipboard of papers in hand as she grinned at us all. I learned her name was Doctor Haynes. Apparently, she introduced herself the day I woke up, but I had been too dazed to remember.
An hour had passed since I signed off on the discharge papers, hence the reason we were all sitting around waiting. Of course, my parents had their suspicions about the hospital agreeing to discharge me so early after being shot, but the doctor explained surgery went well, and my body was recovering.
I also didn't see the point in me taking up a hospital bed when I could just recover at home.
“You’re free to go, Lily,” Doctor Haynes said happily.
Jane rolled into a stand from the bed, arching her back in a stretch as she said, “Thank fu—”
“Jane,” Dad hissed.
From the corner of my eye, Dean lowered his head and forced his lips together like I had done mine, to stop himself from smiling.
“Sorry. I meant meno male cazzo,” she grinned.
Dean pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes, huffing a laugh.
He and Jane got along well. Most of their conversations were in broken Italian as she practiced for classes while visiting me. She was proud to know she would have that edge over the other students.
After several little reminders from Doctor Haynes about wound care and to call if there was any excessive bleeding, abnormal swelling, or pain around the stitches, we all followed her out of the room. She said her goodbyes at the door.
My parents and Jane led the way down the corridors while Dean pushed my chair along behind them, whispering sweet nothings in my ear that left me blushing and flustered.
Kira and Seb, who were lost in a conversation on their way back from getting coffee and snacks from a vending machine, soon joined us at the back of the group.
“Nice to see you with a little more color in your face, Lily,” Seb teased as he tapped my arm with the back of his hand. Mischief shone in his eyes, and he wagged his eyebrows. “What’d he say?”
“Don’t start,” Dean warned, a hint of a smile in his voice.
“Is that it?” Seb raised his eyebrows in mock surprise. “I’ll have to be more careful saying don’t and start around you, Lily. Wouldn’t want you getting a crush on me or something.”
I smiled easily. “Seb, your charm and wit are enough for anyone to develop a crush on you.”
