“Oh, I haven’t even started with you.” He points at Jude, still pacing like a madman, but noticeably softens his approach. “Are matching fractures a new couple thing? Distal radius fracture for the violent cupcake and fifth metacarpal for you,Tennessee Tyson. But I’m not a doctor, and you didn’t hear that from me.”
“How bad?” Jude asks.
“Hairline. You’ll probably just get splints—both of you. You seem fine, Cupcake, but assume a mild concussion out of caution. Rest, ice, and ibuprofen.” He sighs heavily. “Lead with your left, man. It’s the same one as last time.” Jace takes another exasperated look before reluctantly hugging us with big, disappointed dad energy.
“Love you, Mr. Stark.” I pat his shoulder. He’s obsessing over every worst-case scenario that didn’t happen, but if my wrist wasn’t throbbing, I’d still like to smack him one good time.
Jace folds his arms and sits at the foot of the bed. “Love you both. Still mad.”
“You’re off the clock now, right?” I ask. “Go home and check on Annie and Sam. I’ll drive if he’s too tired.”
“I’m wired, man,” Jude adds. “Go on home. We’re good.”
Jace will be a cat in a room full of rocking chairs until he has eyes on all of us.
Once he finally leaves, I shoot Jude a look. “Last time? Do you slug people often?”
“No.” He grins and leans down to kiss me. “Once, in high school, he ran his mouth at someone without a sense of humor and I …mediated.”
“I see. So, it’s like an every ten-ish years thing?”
“Ish.” He shrugs. “If you two stay out of trouble that long.”
He kisses my cheek, over to my ear and down my neck before reclining us while we wait on a doctor to officially tell us what Jace already did.
“How long do I get to keep you?” I ask, snuggling closer.
“As long as you want me, Punk. I’m yours.”
“Good answer, but how long are you home?”
He kisses my head, and I look up to meet his eyes, crinkled at the corners with a contented grin that defies the nightmare we just endured.
“Surprise.”
“Surprise? It’s been a long night, Boss Man. Spell it out for me.”
“Read my lips.” He kisses me softly, rubbing his nose against mine. “I’m. Not. Leaving.”
He punctuates each word with kisses until I’m not sure if it’s a concussion or the sweet taste of mint on his lips causing my cognitive delay.
I pull back once I put his words together. “Wait, you mean forever?”
He grins, tucking some unruly hair behind my ear.
“That’s the plan.”
Epilogue
Hey Jude:Jude’s POV
Itake steps two at a time to reach the front of the Student Center, loosening my tie as I go.
The crisp January weather is perfect for my plan, but I’ve only got two hours of daylight, and neither of us will be happy without dinner. I round the corner to the counseling department and spot Lucy through the glass. I’m hoping to steal my girl away a little early.
Her smile is contagious as I watch her talk to a woman in her office. Career Services offered Lucy a full-time position after only a few weeks as a work study. Even after three months on the job, she still believes it was just good timing.
It couldn’t possibly be the way she looks into your soul and sees strengths you didn’t know you had—like the way she calls medevastatingly competentor says mycalm problem-solvingis hot.
