Page 96 of Contentious

“I won’t.”

“I wanted to be able to see you better,” Carson said.

“Are they going to give you ice cream in here?”

“I hope so. Otherwise, what’s the point of being in the hospital?”

“That’s true.”

“Will you take care of me when I get out of here?”

Ty’s eyes got very big. “You want me to do that?”

“I do, but only if you have time.”

“I have time. What would I have to do?”

“Fetch me stuff, watch movies with me, read some books, play some games. That kind of thing. You down?”

“I’m down,” Ty said, seeming thrilled to have been asked.

“We can also watch surfing videos to start getting you ready for lessons.”

“That’d be awesome. You can stay in the guest room. That way, I can be right there if you need anything.”

“Perfect.” Carson held up his hand for a fist bump. “Thanks for being such a good friend.”

“You think I’m a good friend?”

“I sure do. I wouldn’t ask just anyone to take care of me after I got hurt. That’s something you only ask your best buddies to do.”

Cresley’s heart was full to overflowing listening to them. A girl could fall in love with a man who treated her child so kindly.

“We should let Carson get some rest.”

“Do we have to go so soon?”

“You can come back to see me again later, buddy.”

“Okay, then. Hurry up and get out of here so we can hang out at home.”

“I’m hurrying.”

Cresley lifted Ty off the bed. “I’ll be back shortly.”

“Don’t keep me waiting too long. I need ten kisses per hour.”

She rolled her eyes at him as she guided Ty out of the room.

“He can stay with us, right, Mom? I probably should’ve asked you before I invited him.”

They’d talked about asking her before he invited his friends to do things. “Totally fine with me.”

“He’s going to need my help.”

“Definitely.”

“I’ll make a list of movies to watch.” Ty loved to make lists and said it was the best part of learning how to write. “How many movies will it take to get Carson all better?”