With that, I spare my dad one last glance before storming out of the room and down the hall to the bank of elevators. My emotions are all over the place, and I know I need to get myself in check before returning to Mellie’s room, so I press the button for the first floor.
Heading outside, I walk across the parking lot to where my Harley is parked and hop on. I shoot off a quick text to Zombie to let him know that I’m taking a short ride to clear my head and order him to remain with my fiancée.
Without waiting for a reply, I rev the engine and tear out of the lot like a man possessed.
9
MELLIE
“How’s she doing?”
Heath’s voice washes over me like a soothing balm to a burn. Zombie and I didn’t talk for very long before I got tired and fell asleep, but the sound of someone entering the room woke me. I keep my eyes closed with the hope that they won’t realize I’m awake. Maybe they’ll say something that will trigger a memory.
“As good as can be expected,” Zombie replies. “Been sleeping for a bit.”
“Good, that’s good.” Heath sounds tired, like he’s carrying the heaviest of burdens. “Undertaker make it here yet?”
“I haven’t seen him. He picking up Rowdy?”
Rowdy?
“Yeah. Fucking hospital wants to do an autopsy,” Heath snarls. “Told ‘em I’d do the same to them if they did.”
Zombie laughs. “Sounds about right.”
A loud sigh fills the room. “Damn, man, he’s gone. I can’t believe my dad is gone.”
Wait, what?
“I know. We’re gonna get through this, Lyric. Life’s shit right now, but it’ll turn around.”
The mattress dips, and a hand gently rests on my head. My nostrils fill with the scent of clean air and leather, and I tremble slightly.
“How the fuck am I supposed to tell her?” Heath whispers. “She and Rowdy…” His voice cracks, and my heart splits open at the sadness I hear. “They were so close, especially after her parents died.”
That statement has my eyes popping open, and I turn my head so fast that the room spins.
“Whoa,” Heath soothes, rubbing a thumb over my forehead, and I frantically shake my head, which only makes things worse. “You’re okay.”
My stomach churns. “I’m gonna the?—”
Vomit spews from my mouth, covering the blanket, and the action causes pain to lance through my brain. Heath doesn’t even flinch. He grabs the small plastic tub Zombie hands him and holds my hair as I continue to wretch.
“That’s it, Mel,” he says. “Get it all out.”
I want to shout at him that there’s nothing more toget outas I’ve only had crackers and juice since waking up in the hospital, but I can’t speak. Violent spasms wrack my body until every inch of me screams in agony.
“Jesus,” Zombie mutters. “I’m gonna go get a nurse.”
He retreats from the room, leaving Heath to tend to me in the meantime. Barely any time passes before he returns with a nurse hot on his heels.
“Aw, Miss Kensington,” the nurse croons, stepping up to the bed and shooing Heath out of the way. He grudgingly moves, but she ignores his muttering. “Do you think you can stand?” she asks when I sag against the mattress. “I want to get you cleaned up and changed into a fresh gown.”
Before I can respond, Heath is back. “I’ve got her.”
When he reaches out to scoop me into his arms, I shrink away from him. Hurt flashes in his eyes, but Zombie steps forward and lifts me bridal style. Heath glares daggers at him, and all I can do is tuck my head against Zombie’s chest and let him carry me.
“I’m just taking her to the bathroom for the nurse, Lyric,” he says. “Or would you rather she lie in her vomit because your ego is bruised?”
