“Okay.Just keep me updated.I’m not even sure how long I’ll be in the hospital at this point.I don’t think the doctor has been in to see me yet this morning.I’ll have to get a new phone,” I tell her so she knows not to call Tucker again.If he’s mad, he might leave me alone and I can’t blame him.
“I will, Sweetheart.See if you can have one delivered to the hospital.I’d do it for you, but I know how particular you are about that kind of thing,” she tells me and I give her a small laugh because she’s not wrong.I like what I like and that’s what I stick with.“Dad and I love you and will see you soon.”
“I love you both,” I tell her as I hang up and give the phone back to Tucker.“Thank you for calling them and letting me talk to her just now.”
“It’s not a problem, Keaton.Are you sure you’re okay?”he questions me, not moving closer at all.
“Yeah.My head hurt worse last night than it does right now.I don’t want to take anything for it,” I tell him honestly as he looks at me to ensure I’m telling him the truth.“Wren just went down to get something to eat.You don’t have to stay here if you don’t want to.I have to get a new phone and rest.”
“You don’t have to thank me, Keaton.And I’m not goin’ anywhere.I’m exactly where I need to be.I’m just exhausted and a little upset for a few reasons,” Tucker tells me as he looks at me while keeping his phone in his lap.
“Why are you upset?And you didn’t have to stay here last night.You could have gone home to sleep in your bed instead of staying here with me if all I did was sleep,” I tell him, sensing his anger.
“The main reason I’m upset is because you were kidnapped, Keaton.I lost my damn mind when I woke up and you weren’t home.Then I called you and there was no answer.When you finally call me, I hear someone tellin’ you to shut the fuck up before you scream and then I call back and I get told by some fuckin’ automated voice that your number isn’t in service right now.I wanted to lose my shit but I had Bridger and then we went to the clubhouse where Wren took him so I could find you,” Tucker says with a hard edge to his voice and I can’t help but feel the guilt raise even more inside me because this is all my fault.I can’t blame anyone else for this mess.
“I’m sorry, Tucker.This is my fault.Bridger didn’t have any cereal for his breakfast and there wasn’t really any food for us.I had already cleaned the house and wanted to just grab a few things before coming home and cooking for you.You’ve done so much for me already and I wanted to thank you,” I tell him, turning my head so I’m no longer looking at him.
“Keaton, I’m not mad at you.You made a decision and I would have gone with you if you’d woken me up.Instead, you went alone and I know you weren’t plannin’ on that pussy kidnappin’ you at the time.You were concerned about Bridger havin’ somethin’ to eat when he woke up.I understand it to a point.But, we haven’t worked at all on your self-defense moves or anythin’ else we talked about.Then, I had to wait here while you were bein’ examined and I couldn’t see you until you were moved up here to this room,” Tucker says as he finally moves closer to my bed and laces our fingers together carefully so he doesn’t hurt my wrist.“Next time, wake me up so I can go with you.”
“I will.Um, what happened with Dillon?Is he back in jail?”I ask him, not sure I want the answer.Especially if he was hurt and ended up in this same hospital as me.
“I’m gonna tell you the truth because it’s what you deserve.Dillon was pronounced dead at the scene.Officer Arnold ruled his death a suicide since he shot himself.He wants to talk to you so he can close out the case of your kidnappin’ and assault and the case of Nora’s murder has been closed since Dillon is dead,” he informs me and I release the breath I was holding in relief because it’s over.I no longer have to worry about Dillon coming for Bridger.
“That’s good.I’ll talk to the officer when I get out of here.I don’t want him in my hospital room if I can help it,” I tell him as Tucker nods his head in response.
“I’ve got a phone on the way here now, Keaton.Zach found your old one in the parkin’ lot where your car was parked.He picked it up not realizin’ it was broken until I had it in hand.I ordered you the same phone and have your SIM card here so your phone can be activated as soon as Tristan shows up with it,” Tucker states as he gives me a small smile that doesn’t reach his eyes.
“Thank you.You really didn’t have to do that, Tucker.”
“You’re welcome.Now close your eyes and try to get some sleep.I’m sure you’re still exhausted and could use the sleep before nurses and the doctor walk back in your room,” Tucker orders and I close my eyes as a wave of exhaustion washes over me.It doesn’t take me long at all to fall asleep.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Ice
ICAN’T FUCKING believeRuby and Keaton are the same damn person.When Wren made the announcement in all of her excitement, I was just waking up and I listened to their entire conversation.I’m not sure why Keaton has chosen to hide her identity from everyone in her life and I am upset she didn’t trust me enough to share this information.We’ve been talking for weeks and I thought she felt the same way about me as I do her.For fuck’s sake, I was worrying about liking two women at the same time and having identical responses to Ruby and Keaton.Now it makes so much sense why I was reacting that way to both of them.I’m shocked I didn’t notice more similarities in them until Wren said something.It’s easy to see how much alike Keaton and Ruby are now as I think back on everything.Especially that vanilla scent I can’t get enough of.
