“Don’t beat yourself up. We have a game plan now, and we’ll be back to performing before you know it.”
“I hope so,” I admit, sighing. “I can’t go back to being stuck in small-town Maine. Six to seven months of nothing but snow every year. I’m surprised I didn’t lose my mind.”
“I know you love your family, but I can assure you, you’re not going back to living in Maine, at least not without us.” Ravvi laughs. “We can visit, but we’re bonded now. It feels like that should be a family decision. As much as I like your family, in no way do I think it’s a good idea to buy a pack house close to them.”
I grimace and snort. “Yeah, I don’t want my dads able to pop in without advanced notice.”
“Me either.” His eyes sparkle as he stares down at me. “You know, we haven’t even had the chance to court you properly. We’re going to have to rectify that.”
My head shakes. “None of you particularly wanted to come on tour. You did that for me. That alone feels like the best courting gift I could ask for.”
“We wanted to see you happy, but make no mistake—there will be gifts too.” He slides his hand down, cupping my ass, and my teeth dig into my lower lip.
I can’t even stretch up to kiss him. Not until Declan gets back with my toothbrush, but I’m actually excited about the prospect of relaxing in a fancy suite for a few days with my mates.
If everything goes according to plan, I might leave this place with an extra claiming bite.
Declan makes it back, and he brings burgers and fries. It’s probably dangerous to gorge on so much grease, but it really hits the spot.
Ravvi and Damian eat with us, but they head back upstairs to prevent getting the evil eye from the nurse. She takes pity on me, allowing me to change out of the smelly hospital gown and into one of the pajama dresses Declan picked up. She has to unhook my IV to make it happen, but I appreciate being able to change, even if she vetoed a shower.
“We were about to discontinue your fluids, anyway,” the older woman says. “So, I’m not going to hook you back up.”
“Does that mean you’ll take this thing out?” I ask, raising my hand to show her the IV site. It’s actually more like the top of my wrist, now that I study it.
“No, you’re keeping that in just in case the doctor decides you need more fluids or medications,” the nurse says, backing toward the door. “We’re going to monitor you until tomorrow morning when Dr. Francis comes back in. As long as you remain stable, we should release you then. If you need anything, hit the button.”
“Thank you,” Declan and I say in unison.
Once the door closes, it’s me and Declan alone again.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Declan
Being crammed into what amounts to a hospital bed isn’t as miserable as it would be if I were sharing the space with anyone but Cove. She’s snuggly and a lot happier since she was able to wash her face, put on deodorant, and brush her teeth.
Not that I can blame her.
I’m happy because she’s happy.
I’m also jealous as fuck that I haven’t had the chance to sink my teeth in yet, but I am enjoying spending quality time with Cove.
I brought a deck of cards that I found in my suitcase at the hotel, and we play rummy until it gets dark outside.
“I haven’t played cards in years,” Cove grumbles, shoving her remaining cards on the pile after I win for the seventh time in a row. “That’s the only reason for your streak of luck. I need more practice, and I will slaughter you.”
I chuckle, shaking my head as I gather the cards. “Keep dreaming, princess. Pops never took it easy on me when I was a kid, and in the military, I played more hands of cards than days you’ve been alive.”
Her eyes sparkle, and her lips turn up at the edges. “That’s right. I forget you’re an old man.”
Goddamn.
She is stunning when she’s happy.
We fall asleep crammed together on the tiny hospital bed. The next thing I know, I’m waking up with a hard cock as the naughty dream that was playing out disappears.
The clinic keeps it surprisingly cool considering it’s winter in Chicago, but for the first time, I’m warm.
