“You must be Nathan,” Shane said, turning to Blaszek.
“What gave it away?” Nathan’s smile made the jagged scar on his face wrinkle.
“You carry yourself like a SEAL.”
“Hooyah,” Nathan and I replied together.
Not to be outdone, Jay and John said, “Ooh rah.”
“I’d love to stay and chat, but I have a date with the woman who stole Matt’s heart.”
My anger melted as I thought of Madi, the woman who’d snuck in like a fucking ninja and stolen my heart, alive and waiting for me in her hospital room.
I sank back into my ride and let Shane push me to Madi’s door. “I can’t wait to leave tomorrow so I can walk like a normal person.”
“Stop whining,” Shane said.
“I knew there was a reason I liked him,” John said.
Great, just what I needed, both my mentors teaming up against me.
“Knock on the door already.”
Chapter 51
Madi
“Thanks, Mom,” I said after she helped me wash up and braided my hair. I didn’t look great, but I was mostly clean and I smelled better.
I can’t wait to take a shower.
The door opened two seconds later.
“Hey, kiddo, Matt and Shane are here,” Dad said.
“You can let them in.”
“Come on, Mary, let’s give them some privacy.”
After introducing Shane and my mom, my parents left us alone. As soon as the door closed, Matt stood, grabbed his IV stand, and closed the distance between us.
His hug was a little too tight. His breath was a little too shaky.
When I winced, he apologized.
The tension I’d noticed in his shoulders when he entered was confirmed when I put my arms around him.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
He stepped back. “Madi, this is Shane. Shane, Madi.”
Shane’s handshake was gentle but not insultingly so.
I like him already.
“It’s nice to finally meet you, Madi.”
