I tune out Erik’s version of concern and study Remy. His face is swelling, and he has cotton poking out from his nostrils.
“You’re really okay? Both of you?”
Erik turns the camera back to himself. “We are. We should be done soon. Coulson called his friend who is a charge nurse. She is most efficient.”
I nod and give him a weak smile. “I’m glad. Should I come to you?”
He shakes his head. “No. We should be discharged soon. We will meet you at the house.”
“Love you both,” I say before ending the call.
Jace starts to speak, but I hold up my hand. “I need a minute, please.”
Chapter one hundred forty-four
Erik
I have already read the after care instructions. He declined pain medication. They said it could continue to swell for a couple of days which matched what I had looked up while in the waiting room.
Tianna is waiting on the front steps for us when we pull up, and she comes running to the truck.
By the time I have gotten around to the passenger side, she has buried herself in Remy’s hospital scrub top. His was ruined from the bloody nose.
I startle when I realize she’s crying.
As I approach, her arm snakes out and grabs me by the shirt and pulls me in.
We stand there together in a huddle.
“Don’t ever keep an injury from me again!” Her voice is muffled. “If you’re hurt I want to be with you. I don’t care what I’m doing.”
I pat at her back. That is what you should do when someone is distraught.
She pulls away to examine his face and winces. “Ouch.”
“It’s not so bad,” Remy says, but it’s hard to understand and comes out,It-uh’s n-aht so-uh ba-ad.
“You shouldn’t talk,” I advise him, “You are too hard to understand.”
“Let’s go inside,” Tianna is fussing over him, but she can’t touch his face so her hands are fluttering uselessly before she wraps them around herself.
“Ah deed a dridk,” Remy mumbles.
“Are you on pain meds?” Tianna asks.
“He declined pain medication,” I tell her as we enter the house and are greeted by the dogs.
I fuss over them before starting for the sunroom.
As I sit at the piano, Bass on the seat next to me, I feel something settle in me. I close my eyes and let my fingers find the keys they want.
I am unsure how long I have been playing when Tianna’s hand settles on my shoulder. I bring her face into focus, and can see the strain around her eyes. There is a tension in her expression.
“Do you need to play some more, or can you come talk?”
“I can come now.” I stand and she wraps her arms around my waist. I hug her back, and bend so my cheek rests on the top of her head. Her scent is warm, spicy, it is comforting.
Chapter one hundred forty-five
