“Hey,” I croak, realizing my throat is very dry. He hands me a cup of water, and I gulp it down.
My arm pulses with pain, and I cringe. Taking stock of myself, I feel the pain exactly where the doctor said I would. My inner thighs, where they took the skin from, and my arm, where they relocated it.
A nurse comes up then. “How are you feeling, hon?”
“Okay,” I answer, waking up a little more. “Just a little sore.”
“We put some pain reliever in your IV. We’re sending you home with a prescription for pain meds, too. It’ll all be in the discharge paperwork.”
“I can grab your prescription.”
“You, sir, have a plane to catch.”
“I don’t think I can,” he says honestly, peering at me from head to toe.
I give him a small smile. It’s sweet that he wants to help. “You do,” I tell him, mustering all the strength I have. “Because I’m going to watch it on TV, and I want to see you wiggle that butt of yours.”
The nurse laughs while Levi acts shocked. “I feel violated.”
“You like it.”
He gives me a wink. “If you’re going to make me…”
“Of course I am. The Wildcats need you. How else are they going to score any points?”
I can see Levi’s head practically grow three sizes in front of me. Curious, since I didn’t think he could get any more confident than he already is. “You’re right.”
“I know.”
“But you’ll be okay?”
“I’ll be fine,” I tell him.
He takes a key out of his pocket, a purple studded Pet Threads keychain hanging off it. “This is yours.”
I can’t keep the smile off my face. The nurse sees to another patient as he leans over and presses warm lips to my forehead. “You ready to start an adventure with me?”
“I’m so ready,” I tell him. “I should probably tell my mom and dad that I’m moving.”
“No need. I called them up.”
I laugh. “You called my mom and dad?”
“They love me, by the way. Though, we’ll have to help your dad to become a football fan.”
“He likes baseball.”
“So I hear.” Levi moves the hair away from my face. “Raeann is on her way. I’ll call your parents on the way to the airport and tell them you’re okay. I’m sure they’ll want to talk to you when you’re up to it.”
“I’ll call them,” I promise. “Text me.”
“I’ll be home as soon as I can. Call me if anything happens.Anything,” he states more seriously.
“I will. I doubt Raeann will leave my side.”
“I thought of that, too, and I put a bed in the spare room in case she wanted to spend the night with you.”
I grip his hand. “You’re sweet.”
