“We’ll discuss this tonight.”
I blew him another kiss and backed down the driveway. Cane jumped in his Denali and followed me to the freeway before turning right when I turned left.
The day had been long,emotional, and all-around draining. The only bright spots of the day were Cane’s texts every hour.
The doctor had come in and explained the results to Kari using medical lingo. She had translated it to me to mean that he had a heart attack, but the permanent damage had been minor. They were going to keep him overnight to monitor him while one final test result came in, but with better diet, exercise, and stress management plans, he should be fine.
By the time I got into my Jeep in the late evening, I was spent. The families in the waiting room, crying and worrying left and right, were downright depressing. I didn’t know how Kari did that day in and day out.
I sat in my car, watching the beautiful sun hovering just above the horizon. The sky was a mix of blues, purples, and rosy pinks, like a painting hanging above me.
I picked up my phone and dialed Cane. It rang twice before he answered.
“Hey, baby. Is everything okay?” His voice was laced with concern, and it made me smile.
“Yeah. Dad’s going to be all right, but they’re keeping him overnight. I’m just leaving the hospital now.”
“I’m on my way home now, too. I had a few things to take care of at Benjamin Estates that I didn’t expect, but everything’s okay.”
I flipped my visor down as I pulled out of the parking lot. “Do you want me to grab something to eat on my way home?”
Cane chuckled.
“What?” I asked.
“You just referred to my house as ‘home.’ You just made my fucking day, baby.”
I laughed, my energy waning by the minute.
“You sound beat. How about I pick up dinner, and you take a bubble bath until I get there?” His voice was low and sexy. I just wanted to make it to his house, get undressed, and lay in his arms.
“That’sthe best thingI’veheard all day.”
I knew he was grinning. “I’m driving through Gilbert now, so it’ll be a while, but I’ll be there.”
“I love you, Cane Alexander.”
“I love you, beautiful girl.”
FORTY-SEVEN
Cane
I turned the radio up,the beat to the random hip-hop song on the radio matching my mood.
Lighthearted, optimistic, fucking happy.
I’m listening to fucking hip-hop?
I leaned back in my seat and couldn’t help the smile on my face. In a few minutes, I’d be at home—home—with Jada.
Don’t fuck this up, Alexander.
I laughed out loud. At least I knew myself.
The sun dipped below the horizon as I made my way west, toward my house and my girl.
She called it home. There’s hope for me yet.
