“I know you can. This isn’t about that.” Joe inhaled deeply. “Helen and I...we couldn’t have children of our own. Alexis is the closest thing to a daughter I’ve ever had, and I know my wife would be tickled pink if she knew that girl was wearing her ring.”
Trevor leaned forward and reached his hand up over the railing. Taking the ring in between his thumb and forefinger, he studied it.
It wasn’t overly huge or flashy. It had a square diamond in the middle that he guessed was half a carat. Several smaller, round diamonds outlined it, as well as the top portion of the band. It was exactly the style of ring he would have picked out for Lexi had he had a million to choose from.
“It’s perfect.”
“Just like my Helen.”
Trevor looked up at the man and smiled. “And Lexi.”
Joe tipped his head. “And Lexi.”
Clearing his throat, Trevor slid the ring into his jean’s pocket and held out his hand for Joe. “Thank you, sir. I know this will mean a lot to her.”
Joe took his hand. “Enough of this ‘sir’ shit. We’re practically family now. You can call me Joe.”
“All right.” Trevor smiled. “Thank you, Joe.”
Trevor started to stand, but Joe stopped him. “There’s one more thing I wanted to discuss with you before you go.”
Nodding, Trevor sat back down and listened.
****
The next morning, herroom was a bustle of traffic. She’d really wanted to talk with Trevor, but they hadn’t had a minute alone.
Nurses kept coming in and out to check on her. Then, two guys from R.I.S.C she hadn’t met yet—Coop and Grant— and the woman they called Mac came by to see Trevor and check on her.
They all seemed really nice. Well, Coop and Mac, anyway. Lexi had gotten a few laughs watching those two banter back and forth with each other. Grant had been so quiet she wasn’t quite sure what to think of him, yet.
They all left, but around lunchtime Derek and Jake came by. Trevor had already filled her in on Rob’s accident a few days prior, but Derek informed them both that Rob had succumbed to his injuries and had died the night before.
Olivia came in right as they were leaving. Lexi watched as she and Jake shared a few passing words, then kissed each other goodbye.
Smiling at Lexi, Olivia said, “So...you ready to blow this joint, or what?”
“I get to go home?”
“Got your walking papers right here,” Olivia held Lexi’s release papers.
“Thank God.” Lexi exhaled, quickly adding, “Not that you haven’t been great.”
Chuckling, Olivia came over and pulled a pair of medical gloves from her scrub pocket. “Trust me. I completely understand how you feel.” The two women shared a look, before Olivia looked over and said, “Hey, Trev. This isn’t going to take long. Why don’t you go get your truck and bring it around front?”
He looked at Lexi like he didn’t want to leave her side for one second. Olivia picked up on it, too. With a teasing tone, she said, “Oh, my gosh...would you stop being such a worry wart and go?
With an almost embarrassed look, Trevor gave Lexi a half smile. “I’ll be right back.”
“I’ll still be here,” she teased back.
The minute the door closed behind him, Lexi let out a loud, exaggerated sigh.
“That bad, huh?”
Her head snapped up to Olivia’s. “Oh, no. Trevor’s been great. He’s been here every day and has helped me with everything...”
“And he’s stuck by you like a mama bear afraid to leave her cub. It’s okay, Lexi. What you say in here stays with me.”
