“Just like I love you, sweet girl. Ineverfor a moment forgot you.”
We stood there staring at one another, both of us with tears still streaming down our cheeks. I took a step closer and she opened her arms. I walked into her embrace and let her hold me. Just as I had that night so long ago on the bridge.
Val held me like a mother would a child, whispering sweet words to calm my trembling body and battered heart. I didn’t know how long we stayed like that, but we were broken apart by the nurse on duty coming back in to check Huntley.
Without waking him, Val said her goodbyes to me, with promises to come back before he was released and also for us to spend more time talking.
Once alone, I turned down the lights and sat back down in the chair closest to the bed. They’d brought in a cot, but I didn’t plan on being that far away from him. I rested my headnext to Huntley’s leg as I held his hand, letting out a heavy sigh.
“Hey, sweetheart.” His fingers brushed lightly through my hair that had fallen out of my messy bun.
I must have fallen asleep, but it was a nice way to wake up and I couldn’t help the moan I let out. It felt so good to be touched by him and that was monumental.
“You can’t sleep like that. Come up here with me.”
That time I didn’t argue. I carefully climbed in beside him and snuggled close, careful not to jar his body or bang his ribs. “I shouldn’t be here in this bed; you need your rest.”
“I will rest better knowing you’re here. I don’t want to be without you.”
The worry and vulnerability in his statement were not lost on me. “I promise you won’t have to.”
He leaned over and kissed the top of my head. “Thank God,” he said with relief in his tone.
“You do know we are going to get busted again,” I told him, trying to lighten the mood.
He brushed his hand down my cheek. “Totally worth it.”
We fell asleep in each other's arms.
And did in fact get busted when the nurse showed up again.
But like he said,‘Totally worth it.’
Chapter Thirty-Four
HUNTLEY
It was quitethe welcoming committee.
As soon as we walked through the door, Bre flung herself at me before anyone could remind her about my injuries. It hurt like a son of a bitch, but I didn’t give a shit because I was so damn happy to be there.
“Honey, be careful of Huntley, remember what I said about his ribs.”
The girl looked up at me after hearing her mother and bit into her lower lip—damn, it was a move just like her mother’s—before apologizing. “I’m so sorry.”
I gave her a wink. “It’s okay, beautiful.”
Bre’s blush was as endearing as it was when River did it. These two girls were not used to sweetness and compliments. They needed to hear it more and I was the guy to do it.
“What about me, what about me?” Stormi called out while she bounced up and down in front of me as Bre’s dog—not wanting to be left out—raced in circles around my legs, yipping.
I tapped the tip of her nose. “You’re beautiful too.”
Stormi beamed a bright smile and her big brown eyesglistened with glee at the attention. I caught River watching the interaction and flashed my gaze her way, giving her a wink like I’d given Bre.
“This room is full of beautiful girls,” I said with my eyes glued to River’s.
Her cheeks turned a pretty shade of pink. Yup, that blush was for sure endearing.
