Page 47 of Full Throttle

“Pink?” I said, confused.

“I think Dom picked it.” Hannah leaned forward, speaking quietly. “In order to see you, he told them you’re married.”

I blinked.

“He what?”

She smiled. “I’m gonna call him Dad and watch him freak.”

“Serves him right.”

Hannah gently brushed my hair off my forehead. “I think we’ll cut him a little slack on this one, Mom. If it weren’t for him…”

I let out a long sigh, my eyes drifting shut. I had so many questions, but I was so tired.

“When can I go home?” I managed to get out.

“Not until tomorrow. They have to watch you overnight, and you have to stay on the oxygen.”

I felt the darkness pulling at me. I struggled against it, but it was stronger. A thought flitted through my mind.

“Where will I go now?” I wondered.

I felt a soft press of lips on my head. Heard the sound of another voice. One that soothed and assured. It was filled with emotion.

“You’ll come with me,” Dom whispered.

And I slept.

They woke me every few hours. Each time they did, Dom was there. Hannah came and went. Chase was standing beside Dom once, and he smiled reassuringly at me.

The room was lighter, my head clearer when I opened my eyes in the morning. Beside me, Dom slept, his head against the back of the chair, the bandage on his forehead bright against his olive skin and dark hair. He was in scrubs, his hair damp as if he’d showered. His long legs were crossed at the ankle, and he had one hand resting on my arm.

Beside him was a table, a jug of water beckoning. I cleared my throat, looking for a call button, but the simple action woke him. Dom’s eyes flew open, and he turned, meeting my gaze.

“There she is,” he murmured, his voice rough. “Hello, Cherry G.”

“Thirsty.”

He poured me some water, helping me sit up, and I sipped it, grateful.

“Better?”

“Much.”

He settled me back on my pillows.

“Have you been here all night?”

“Of course,” he replied as if affronted I would expect him to be anywhere else.

“Your head…”

He frowned. “Is fine. The nice nurses have been looking after me. They even loaned me some scrubs and let me shower so I didn’t smell like smoke as badly as I did.”

“Can you convince them to do the same for me?”

He ran his finger over my cheek. “As soon as the doc checks you out.”