Page 79 of Kiss Me Forever

“She’ll be damn fine with it.” I wasn’t sure how I was able to speak with my throat so tight, but I nodded at the top of her head.

Before I could say anything else, the doctors and nurses were there, and they explained about the clean break, the lack of surgery, and the fact that Bella was young and strong and would heal quickly. By the time my parents and brothers were allowed back, I was able to break free, with instructions in hand, and went to check on Brooklyn.

Bella was safe, in good hands, and I needed to see her. I hated that I hadn’t even been near her yet, but it wasn’t as if they were in the same fucking room. As it was, if it wasn’t for Storm and Everly’s lie, things could have been even more complicated.

Before I could get there though, the two people I did not want to see most in the world, stood there, chins lifted.

“I see you finally showed up.” I ignored Mrs. Long and stared at the older man. “Is there a reason you left her alone in that room?” I asked, my voice shaky.

“She was just fine with that other woman. And I didn’t like seeing her hurt like that.”

“Of course we didn’t,” Mrs. Long added, surprising the hell out of me.

I stared between the two of them, not understanding them at all. Who the hell were these people, and why could I never get a read on them?

“I don’t know what the hell is going on, but my daughter was hurt, and she’s safe now. I know you want to walk away, and maybe that would be better for everyone, but we’re going to need to figure this out. You too. I don’t know what that means, but for now, I need you to get out of my way.”

“She got hurt under your care,” Mr. Long snapped.

“She did. Because kids get hurt. And the woman that I love got hurt. It was an accident. One that someone else caused. But I will die before I let anything happen to them. Even from you. I know we need to talk, but that’s my kid in there, and that other door holds the woman that I love. And I need to see her. If you are going to make things more difficult, you need to leave.”

They didn’t say a damn thing, instead they stared at me, before finally walking away, leaving me in the hallway, wondering what the fuck I was supposed to do.

That’s when I realized that I had practically shouted those words, and countless nurses, doctors, and Montgomerys were standing there, wide-eyed. And finally when I took two steps forward so I could see into Brooklyn’s room, I saw her sitting at the edge of the bed, stitches on her forehead, and the side of her arm, with wide eyes.

I ignored the others, knowing that this wasn’t going to be easy, but I took a few steps in, needing to breathe.

“I take it you heard all of that?” I asked, before moving closer. I was standing right above her, hovering. She had been hurt, waiting, bruised, and it took all within me not to pick her up just like I wanted to do Bella.

“You were kind of shouting it.”

“I didn’t actually mean to scream like that, but I was fucking scared. And pissed off.”

“When you walked by like that, I thought you hated me. Because of the accident.” I caught her hurt. Shame coated me, and I realized I had made the wrong decision. I had thought by leaving her with her family when I could focus on Bella and not want to throw up, I had been doing the right thing. Only in the end, I had hurt her more.

I cupped her face, careful of her stitches, and leaned down to brush my lips against hers.

“I’m sorry, Freckles. I didn’t mean to do that. I needed to check on Bella, and I knew if I walked in here, I’d break down like I want to right now, and then neither one of us would be strong enough for that little girl in the next room.”

She let out a shaky breath, before smiling softly up at me.

“I guess that’s a good answer. Because I thought you would be so fucking angry with me. I didn’t see the car. I didn’t know it was there until it was too late.”

“Lex told me what happened. It wasn’t your fault. But if I find that guy, it’s going to be a problem.”

“I’m pretty sure that he has a host of other problems that have nothing to do with us. But is she okay? I keep wanting to go in there, but nurses and doctors keep coming in and then Montgomerys.” She gave an exaggerated eye roll. “I just want to make sure she’s safe.”

I kept my palms on her cheeks and let out a deep breath.

“She’s safe because of you.”

“I didn’t do anything. I’m the one who got her in an accident to begin with.”

“It could have been worse. We both know that. But she’s safe. And you are too. Although every single bruise and cut on your body makes me want to strangle someone. You’re going to have to be patient with me. I’m not good at this kind of thing.”

“And what thing is that?” she asked, eyes wide.

“You heard what I said out there. This whole love thing. I didn’t mean to fall in love with you, Freckles. But I don’t want anything else. I just want you. So you better be damn okay. And you better forgive me for having to walk past your door.”