“You might feel a little stinging. That’s normal.”
I gave her my small OK smile since nodding wasn’t an option with a neck brace. She removed it while the other nurse draped a gown over me.
“We’re going to take this slow… really slow.” The nurse instructed as she and the other nurse brought me to sitting, easing my feet off the side of the bed, and then helping my arms into the gown before tying it in back.
I felt a little light-headed and weak, so damn weak.
“Take all the time you need.” She stepped back as the doctor proceeded to do some reflex checks with me sitting. Following his fingers. Touching my finger to my nose. Snapping his fingers next to one ear and then the other. Doing different crap with my hands and feet.
“Good. You’re doing better than expected.” He nodded.
I scooted toward the edge of the bed. Both nurses jumped to my side.
“Very slow and easy.”
Lake held enough pain for both of us in her expression.
I grinned. “I’m coming for you, Jones.”
Her eyes that were trained to my feet, shot up along with a grin. “You’ve got this, Monaghan.”
I felt the ground beneath my feet, not in a stable way, but Ifelt it and that’s all that mattered. My head seemed to be the last on board because as I stood, both nurses holding on to me, all I wanted to do was let my eyes roll back in my head and collapse backwards.
“Focus, Monaghan. My three-legged cat’s got more balance than you.”
I loved that woman. I fucking loved her.
One step.
God, I feel like a baby taking its first step.
Another step.
Don’t pass out!
Another step.
“You’re doing great.” Dr. Feltz watched me with a reassuring smile.
I looked up at Lake. Sweat pouring down me.
She yawned, patting her hand over her mouth. “I’m growing a beard over here.”
Another step.
“I stink. My breath is even worse than the rest… of my body.”
Another step.
My heart raced in my chest.
Lake grinned and took the final step for me. Easing her arms around my body. My arms? They worked and I used them to hold on to her. If I were being honest, I think that’s what my arms were made to do. I wasn’t going to be able to throw her over my shoulder and haul her off to my cave anytime soon, but I’d get there.
“I love you,” I whispered. Holding her in my arms released an avalanche of emotions. My eyes squeezed shut, lips trapped between my teeth, fighting them off. The intensity of thatmoment rivaled my father dying—a life-altering moment.Physicallyholding her to my body, after questioning if I’d ever hold her again, changed the course of my life. Fuck football. My hands were made to hold every single piece of that woman. Period.
“Love you more.” She tipped her chin up and made my knees shake with one smile.
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
