Chapter Twenty-Four
My momma got back to the hospital bright and early. I snuck away using her car just after Rhett had fallen back to sleep.
Maria’s car was still in my driveway when I pulled in. The big red Ford parked behind hers was shocking. Not really a scene I wanted to walk into. I cringed thinking about what may have gone down in my home last night. An involuntary shudder ran over me.
The funniest damn thing was me standing on my front porch, knocking on my front door. Yes, I knocked, then felt completely stupid, but I wanted to warn them.
“Hello?” I announced as I pushed the door open. I squeezed my eyes tightly and hollered once more. “Mar, you here?”
“She’s still sleeping.” A raspy sleep filled grumble had me opening my eyes. Gavin was lifting himself off the couch. His hair was sticking up, and he looked exhausted. He was still wearing the same clothes from last night. “She’s in your room. I hope you don’t mind I slept over. It was late, and Maria told me to crash on the couch.”
He began slipping his boots on and grabbed for his coat. “No, not at all, it’s the least we could offer for you helping out.”
“No trouble, I hope your boy is feeling better.”
“He was sleeping when I left. He had a rough night, but hopefully with a couple days he’ll be back to normal.”
He tilted his head and stepped through the open doorway. “I’m sure he will. I’m gonna get going. Tell Maria I’ll talk to her later.” He closed the door behind him, and I hurried off toward my bedroom to grab some clean clothes.
“Wake up, floozy, your cowboy left, and it’s your time to spill.” I yanked out the pillow underneath Maria’s head. Her grumbling whine made me laugh. “Stop bitching, you got more sleep than me. Follow me and fill me in while I shower.”
Just as I was starting to wash my hair, she came in the bathroom. “Nothing happened. He crashed. Poor guy looked exhausted, so I offered your couch. I’m not gonna lie and say that if he did sneak into bed with me I wouldn’t have attacked him. That man is yummy. He also has those thrusting thighs I like so much.”
“You are terrible. Is that all you think about, sex?” I laughed and rinsed the conditioner from my hair.
“Not all, but mostly. Gavin is hot; admit it, you think he is too. He would be one wild ride.” She laughed, and I heard the toilet flush just before the water turned cold.
“Holy hell, you bitch, that was just wrong.” I jumped around trying to recover from the chill the water brought on. “You’re the one who needs a cold shower.”
I could hear her laughter as she walked from the room. I owed her one.
***
I got back to the hospital in good time. I could hear voices coming from Rhett’s room as I stood outside the door.
“She’s pretty upset with me. I can’t say I blame her. But I honestly just picked her up. I didn’t even know it was her until I got to the highway. The roads were icy, and she was in the ditch.” Reed’s voice cracked. “I need to make her understand what she means to me.”
“She’s stubborn, Reed. Emotions were high last night. She was tired, scared, and I’m sure you showing up here with Kim set her off.”
“I know,” he agreed.
I took a deep breath before I entered the room. All eyes shifted toward me, and my momma stood. “He was up for about twenty minutes. They checked his vitals and gave him some more Tylenol. The saline bag is getting low, so the nurse said she would be back to check it.” She leaned toward me and kissed my cheek. “I’m gonna head home and let you two talk,” she whispered against my cheek.
“Bye, Reed,” she hollered over her shoulder just before rushing from the room.
I could feel his eyes on me and I knew I had to turn around. My pulse was beating so rapidly, and I suddenly felt nervous.
“Can we talk?” he asked. All I could do was nod. “Will you sit down, please?”
I walked across the room and set my bag down, before turning back to take a seat in the chair next to him. I still had not looked at him. If I did, I would cave, I knew it. Right now I just wanted to throw my arms around his neck and hold him tightly.
“I’m sorry I didn’t answer the phone when you needed me. I should have been the one to get you here. I never intentionally set out to pick up Kim.” He slid forward on his chair and placed his hand on my knee. “Kori, I wouldn’t purposely do that. I know how you feel about her. I‘m not a huge fan of hers either, but I had to get her off that road. The timing was all lined up. I wasn’t about to waste any more time by taking her home. When I got your message, I had to get here. I was worried, and I felt like shit. You needed me, and here I was with her in the truck, and it pissed me off.”
This time he slid from the chair completely and knelt before me. My eyes finally met his. “You and Rhett are my number one priority. I should have been with you. I’m sorry for the way the night played out. I’m sorry that she was the one on the side of that road.”
His eyes were filled with agony, and it hurt so much to see him like that. “I know, I’m sorry too. I know you didn’t plan it. I trust you.” I cupped the side of his face and skimmed his jawline with my thumb. “I was hurt, but I understand. Kimberly is the one person who makes me become someone I’m not. She knows how to get me, she knows what it takes to hurt me.”
“She isn’t who I want. She was never who I wanted. It’s always been you, baby. I was just a dumb kid who didn’t see the good I had. I am not that guy anymore. There isn’t anyone or anything that is gonna keep me from you or from Rhett.” He rose up on his knees, bringing himself to eye-level. “I want you, only you. There is one woman I need, and that woman is you.” He sealed it with a kiss, a kiss that melted away any doubt I may have had.
Rhett’s screeching cry caused both of us to jump. Reed got to him before I did, lifting him to his chest. “Shh, little man, I gotchu,” he soothed as he softly patted his back, swaying side to side. Once Rhett noticed who had him, his crying began to fade. His lower lip trembled while he stared up at Reed. Their connection still made me emotional; it really was beautiful.
“Baby, he feels hot as hell. He’s burning up.” Reed turned toward me, and I reached out to feel Rhett’s head.
I hit the button for the nurse and we waited, while continuing to soothe Rhett.
“What can I get for ya, darlin’?” The nurse spoke from the doorway. The moment her eyes connected with Reed, her cheeks reddened and her smile grew.
“He feels pretty hot. I think his fever has spiked again,” I answered her, but her eyes never once left Reed. I found myself rolling my eyes, and then noticed Reed had caught my reaction. His cocky grin pulled at the corner of his mouth, and I just glared at him in response.
“Let me take his temp, then we’ll get him some Motrin. We’ll continue to alternate between Tylenol and Motrin every four hours to maintain his fever.” She stepped up to Reed and put the thermometer into Rhett’s ear. I noticed her other hand rested against Reed’s forearm, partially on Rhett’s leg. Yeah, nice attempt to appear casual, like I hadn’t noticed her using the chance to touch him. After a minute or two passed, she withdrew the thermometer. “We’re sitting at 102.3. Let me go grab the Motrin.” She still spoke directly to Reed, like I wasn’t even in the room.
I watched as she left, and then Reed’s deep chuckle filled the room. My gaze shifted to him, and he was just loving my reaction. “You are so damn cute when you’re jealous.”
“I am not jealous.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “She could at least look at me when she’s speaking about my son, though. I mean, that is just rude.” Rhett had his cheek rested against Reed’s chest, and he slowly moved toward me. His grin still spread out over his mouth. With only a few inches between us, he slouched forward and placed his lips against mine. Once again with the feel of his lips on mine, everything else calmed within me.
“Oh, I am so sorry.” Miss Touchy Feely spoke from the doorway. Breaking our kiss, Reed turned toward the doorway. “This will just take a second.” This time the nurse was looking at me, smiling as if in awe of me. I smiled in return, feeling all giddy, like a schoolgirl.
***
Reed stayed at the hospital all day. We had a few visitors, but when Gavin and Maria walked in carrying a stuffed tractor and balloon, I was a little surprised. Reed actually looked like someone just handed him a check for a million dollars. He placed his arm around my shoulders and pulled me close, kissing my temple. The problem he thought he had was now alleviated. Gavin was no longer competition. All I could do was shake my head. Men and their damn egos.
When visiting hours came to an end, Reed said his goodbyes to both of us. Rhett was already sleeping, but he kissed him on the forehead and whispered how much he loved him.
When he made his way to me, my eyes held the evidence of how much his actions touched me. He bent slightly, kissing me softly, before resting his forehead against mine. “Don’t cry,” he whispered.
“It’s good, Reed, so good. I love to see you two together, the connection you share. It’s so overwhelming, in the best way,” I assured him.
“I love you both, so much. I plan on making sure you both know that and feel it daily.” He kissed me once more before stepping back. “I’ll be back tomorrow. Try to get some rest while he’s sleeping.” He picked up his keys from the table. “Call me any time, doesn’t matter how late. Love you, baby.” He winked just before stepping from the room, and then my tears fell freely.
It was obvious he loved us so much. That feeling was amazing, one I wanted to hold on to forever.