Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 53717 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 269(@200wpm)___ 215(@250wpm)___ 179(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53717 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 269(@200wpm)___ 215(@250wpm)___ 179(@300wpm)
“Okay.”
“Now slide in closer.”
She lifted herself and dragged the chair nearer to the bed.
“Did the police get the guys?” he asked.
She nodded. “Another squad car saw them running from the scene. And they took my brother in, too.” Her eyes grew glassy and sad. “I’m honestly glad. He needs help and he’s not going to get it at a luxury detox place. He has to face the consequences of his actions and addiction, and if it means getting clean behind bars, so be it.”
He doubted it was as easy for her as she made it out to be. She was protecting him because of his injury when he wanted to be the one to look out for her.
“I changed my mind. I want you right here.” He slid over, ignoring the pain in his head that throbbed and stabbed like a son of a bitch, and patted the mattress.
Her eyes grew wide. “Jared, don’t move. I could see how much that hurt.”
Guess he hadn’t hidden it as well as he thought. “Okay, but still, come lay with me.”
She did as he asked, carefully climbing in and stretching out next to him, and resting her head on his arm closest to her. Her body heat warmed him and every muscle relaxed. Even the pain was manageable with her so close.
He had everything he needed within touching distance. Closing his eyes, he savored the scent of her hair and let himself drift off.
* * *
Jared woke up to debilitating pain and Charlotte was gone. He rang the buzzer. The nurse walked in, the promised medication in hand, she just hadn’t woken him to administer it. A first for a hospital, he was sure.
According to her, the shift before her had insisted Charlotte leave when visiting hours were over.
He was pissed, knowing how many walls she could construct around her while he lay here incapacitated. Not happening, he thought.
He was getting out of here tomorrow.
* * *
When the nurse told Charlie it was time to leave because visiting hours were over, instead of packing up and returning to her apartment, she went home to Jared’s. She called her girls, promising to bring them home to their new place tomorrow. Then, she took a warm bath, letting the water soothe her aching body. Tension was a bitch and she’d tightened every muscle during tonight’s ordeal.
Once she’d seen Jared, felt his arm around her, and known for certain he’d be okay, she had finally been able to breathe. She’d lay beside him as he slept, listening to the soft sounds of him snoring, so damned glad he was alive. And as she thanked God, Leo’s words came back to her, reminding her of what was important.
She was finished being her own worst enemy. Finished running. And ready to tell Jared she loved him.
She also loved his family, who had been incredible earlier, bolstering her while she waited, trying to get her to go see him ahead of them. But Charlie thought his family should go first. Not to mention guilt kept her waiting until last.
Finally, Jared’s dad had walked over and given her a lecture she’d wished her father had ever cared enough to give. “In this family, once you’re in, you’re in. Jared’s feelings for you are obvious and that’s enough for us. So stop tiptoeing around us and act like you belong. Because you do.”
She did. She belonged with Jared.
She slept in his big bed, missing him, and the next morning, after a call from Alex, she arrived at the hospital bright and early.
If Jared was going home, she would be the one to take him.
* * *
The doctor on shift signed Jared out of the hospital. The nurse took out his IV and gave him instructions not to get the staples wet for forty-eight hours. He listened to the instructions and said he’d make an appointment with his physician to have them removed in seven to ten days. A painkiller prescription was sent to his pharmacy but he didn’t plan to take it. He’d deal with the pain using acetaminophen. No more falling asleep, waking up, and finding Charlotte gone.
“Do you have all that, Mr. Sterling?” the gray-haired nurse asked.
“He’s got it. So do I,” Charlotte said from where she’d been standing silently by the door.
He hadn’t realized she was there, but damned if his mood didn’t improve and his heart began beating stronger.
The nurse smiled at Charlotte, waving her in. “I was going to ask who was taking him home. Doctor’s instructions. He’s not to be alone for another forty-eight hours.”
“I think we can handle that.” She nodded, a surprising smile on her face. He wasn’t sure what mood he’d get today, whether he’d have to track her down and talk her out of her guilt, or deconstruct her emotional walls.
So far, it seemed, he’d been wrong on all counts.