“Yeah, you are,” he rasped.
My eyes widened and I looked around foolishly -for someone to tell, a pitcher of water - but there was nobody and nothing I could give him.
“Shit! Are you supposed to be awake?”
The smallest smile curled his lips. He’d never looked more handsome. “Dunno. But you’re just like Mom - in your own way.”
I wheezed out a laugh and shoved his words out of my mind. “I love you. Let me get a nurse.”
His hand beneath mine twisted up and gave a weak squeeze. “No. I love you, too. I’m tired.”
I held onto his hand and watched him close his eyes.
A nurse approached, I waved her into his room, and told her he’d been awake.
She nodded. “That’s great news. Your time is almost up. It would be good to let him rest.”
I didn’t leave immediately. For some reason, I was determined to take all of the time they’d give me with him. I leaned over, cupped his cheeks, and kissed his forehead.
In the waiting room, Jasmine stood near the doors to the ICU with her arms wrapped around her waist.
I hurried to her and gave her a hug. “Your turn. He was awake while I was in there and he fell back asleep.”
With a teary-eyed smile, she nodded and went to see her brother.
Roll lumbered toward me. “You goin’ home now?”
I frowned, realizing I didn’t have any way to get home. “I don’t know. I’m not ready to leave.”
He put a hand on my shoulder. “You do him no good if you’re spent from lack of sleep.”
“I know, but—”
“No buts. They gave me his bag of personal items. I got your car keys.”
“Why did he have my car keys?” I interrupted.
Something stirred in Roll’s eyes. It might have been admiration or regret. “He didn’t want to draw attention going into that neighborhood on his bike. He told Beast and Cal he was gonna drive your car instead. I gave your keys to Cal, and he went to get your car. I’m taking you home so you can get back here fresh in the morning.”
“All right, but where are you staying? There’s an empty bedroom at my place and Jazz can stay—”
Roll dropped his hand from my shoulder. “We got a hotel room already. He’s gonna be here for a while. Jasmine comes back out, we’ll go.”
Chapter twenty-four
Trixie's Idea
Rafferty
“Ithinkthat’sallI need,” Detective Jones said. He stood and glanced out the open door to my hospital room.
“Will I need to come back to testify?” I asked.
The detective looked down at me and shook his head. “Not likely. Mr. Ogden provided enough information that you shouldn’t be needed in court. Take care of yourself, Mr. Rolland.”
Alexandra must have been milling about in the hallway because she immediately came into the room as Detective Jones left.
She sat down in the chair next to my bed and grabbed my hand. “Who’s Mr. Ogden?”
