His breathing grows deeper and steadier after a few moments of lying silently. I hear the vibrating of my phone and extract myself carefully so as to not wake Jackson. Grabbing my phone, I see it’s a New York number.
“Hello?” I say quietly as I exit the room.
“Hey, babe, it’s Gretchen.”
Immediately I smile hearing the sound of one of my best friend’s voices. I miss them both so much. “Hey, stranger.”
“How’s Jackson doing?” she asks with concern.
I smile looking back into the room where he sleeps peacefully. “Really well. I’m hoping we’ll be out of here soon. How are you?”
“Good. You know me, always busy. Anyway, I’m calling because I heard some rumors floating around about Neil from a few of my lawyer friends.”
My good mood fades instantly at the sound of his name.
“Why would you hear that?”
“When the fight between Jackson and Neil happened I asked a few to listen for your name or Neil’s.”
My gut sinks. “What rumors?” I ask her, already knowing where this is going.
She sighs and I hear her shuffling some papers. “Right now he’s looking for a lawyer to go after you pro bono for losses he’s sustained. The engagement ring and the ring you purchased. I heard a few things about assault but no one is grabbing his case at this point. Ashton told me about the fight before Jackson left. I know why you didn’t want to tell me, but she knew I could help. I called in a few favors and had everyone keep an ear out. One of my friends called and I explained I have possession of evidence to show that Neil assaulted you.”
“How?” I ask quickly. What evidence does she have?
“You had some pretty nasty bruises. Ashton took photos and sent them to me. Do you want to retain me as your legal counsel?” Gretchen asks.
“Of course. I wanted to tell you, but everything happened so fast and I-I just …” I trail off not really knowing what else to say at this point.
“I know. I’m going to handle this. You don’t need to worry yet. But you may want to forewarn Jackson. Also I think we have a good shot at getting Neil to back down if we can show him our proof. And it’s civil at this point, but I’m concerned he’ll go towards criminal for the assault if we can’t get him to withdraw. Seriously, though,” she pauses, “I’m very good at being scary.” I can almost hear her smile at the last sentence.
I laugh, “I know all too well.”
“I think you need a refresher.”
“Have mercy on me. It’s been a rough couple weeks.”
“Fine, I’ll give you this one. Go be with that sexy man of yours. I love you.”
“Love you too, Gretch. We’ll talk soon,” I reply.
“You bet. Don’t worry about a thing. I’ll handle the garbage.” She giggles and disconnects the call.
All of this over what? Money? A ring? When did he really become so shallow? Sure, the ring is not small, but he makes a good salary. We both do, which is why things were never difficult. It wasn’t like one of us was coming into the marriage making a lot more than the other. I made a little more since my last promotion, but his company started him off higher than I did.
I shake my head and head back into the room.
“How’s Gretchen?” Jackson asks, rubbing his eyes.
“Good. Sorry I woke you.”
He smiles and holds his arm out, inviting me back to where I was before. “You didn’t, I just noticed you weren’t here,” he says earnestly.
“Awww, you missed me, huh?” I tease him.
“I miss you even when you’re here.”
I smile and climb into his embrace again. “You really need to stop being so damn perfect.”
Jackson chuckles as I turn to look at him. “I’m far from perfect.” He leans down and presses a tender kiss on my lips.
The feel of his lips on mine causes my heart to flutter. I never want this to end. I could kiss him all day. His lips turn up in a smile, effectively breaking my small moment of happiness as the kiss breaks.
Looking into his turquoise eyes, the joy I see stops my breath. Unable to control my reactions, I grin.
“So what did Gretchen say?” Jackson asks.
The smile fades as I think about what she said and the thought of Neil does nothing to halt my mood change. My immediate thought is to keep this from him, to protect him while he’s healing, or protect myself. However, I’m not going to do that again. He asked me to trust him, to give him my heart, and I have. I love him and need to have faith in our relationship.
I groan, “Neil is apparently trying to file a lawsuit. Gretchen is obviously well-known and her friends alerted her that he’s calling around.”
His entire body clenches and he lets out a snarl through gritted teeth. I shoot up looking at where he’s in pain but his hand is in a fist and his eyes are closed.
“Jackson.” My voice is small, but I know he hears me.
“I fucking hate him, Catherine.” Jackson’s eyes latch on to mine and you can see the anger rolling through him. “I’ll call my legal team. I’m going to bury that piece of shit one way or another.” His voice is cold as ice.
“He’s not worth it. Gretchen has photos and doesn’t think it’ll come to that. She’s pretty sure with the proof she has, it’ll be dropped.”
“What fucking proof do you have?” Jackson asks clearly still angry.
He doesn’t know about the bruises. I threw him out that night, and well, we didn’t really talk much about anything that happened in the few days we spent apart. Which reminds me about the conversation I had with Piper as well.
“I had bruises on my arms.” I see his hand once again ball into a fist. “Before you hurt yourself getting worked up, let me get through this, okay?”
I pause staring at him waiting for some sign he’s going to allow me to tell him the story without ripping his stitches or trying to get out of bed. We both glare at each other until he finally lets out the breath he’s been holding and nods.
“Like I said, I had bruises on both my arms from where he grabbed me. I’m not completely surprised since I bruise fairly easy, but Ashton took pictures on her phone. Apparently, she sent them to Gretchen to hold on to. I explained Neil’s threat to Ash as well.”
Jackson goes from anger to hurt. “I should’ve been there. I shouldn’t have left you when you asked me to.”
“I needed you to go. You leaving me showed me everything I was trying to ignore. I shut you out because I was so afraid. So you don’t get to play the martyr. We both fucked up,” I say, sounding much stronger than I feel at the moment.
I’m not afraid he’s going to leave since he can’t move, but the last time we began this talk a lot of things happened. None of which I’d like to relive any time soon.
I look up at him before he can say anything else. “But that’s not all.”
“Go on,” he says sharply.
I hate every single second of this conversation. Climbing out of the bed, I walk to the window. “Piper came by my office as well. What happened between you two?” I sigh already regretting asking.
Not one bone in my body thinks he’s done any of the bullshit she spewed, but I want to hear what happened from him.
Jackson looks confused for a second before he composes himself. “I fired her.”
“I’m aware of that, but why?”
“Because she was no longer needed. I hired you and I don’t need to keep her on my payroll when I have you there to help me make the same choices she would be advising,” Jackson says without any hesitation. “Also, I was preparing for when you came back to me. I wanted to keep her the hell away from you.”
Somehow I manage to mask my emotions. It was his way of protecting me, or at least showing me he cared. “Well, Piper tried to tell me it was because she wouldn’t sleep with you.”
“That’s a fucking lie!” Jackson yells and tries to move too fast. He groans while gripping his leg, clearly in pain.
I rush over and place my hand on his cheek. “Babe,” I say softly, “I never thought you did. I told her she was full of shit. I recorded the conversation, which I don’t know why I thought I should, but it was good I did. I’ll send it to Gretchen too in case she needs it. But I need to handle this and make sure this doesn’t get out of control. With you in the hospital, we need your image to appear commanding.”
“Catherine.” His voice is warm and washes over me. He grasps my hand that’s holding his face before speaking. “I never touched her. We never even had a moment where it could’ve happened. I was so mad at you. You infuriated me that night. But never, not once, did I even think of going near anyone else. She walked in my office and I fired her before I even knew I wanted to. Just the sight of her, knowing she hurt you in any way …” He takes a deep breath. “I never wanted to see her, so I fired her. I told her I no longer needed her advice and to leave immediately. I don’t want you anywhere near either of them.”
“I never thought you did. None of this is relevant to what’s going on now. I’m telling you Neil is apparently after something. Gretchen has this under control and so do I.” I’m not conceding to him. I ultimately don’t care about Piper or Neil. They’re non-issues. My focus is Jackson and getting home. The launch is coming soon and he refuses to push it back again, so we need to get him ready.
“You need to stay away from him. I’m not kidding.”
“I’m not arguing,” I say back quickly.
“Stay away from him.” Jackson’s voice is cold as ice.
I can keep going back and forth with him or I can end this how he wants it. I’m going to handle Neil once and for all. He’s pushed me to the point of no return. When I get back to New York, he’ll be dealt with. However, I’m not going to keep fighting with Jackson about it either.
Time passes slowly while we wait for the charge nurse to release Jackson. The last week he’s improved and of course also overdid it. He’s going to drive me up the wall with his defiance. No matter how many times he’s been told to slow down and take it easy, that seemed to only spur him to go at it harder. The poor look on the physical therapist’s face when he tried to put pressure on his leg.
“What are they doing? It’s a simple damn form, not an act of Congress,” Jackson says, aggravated and impatient.
Which is his new normal attitude.
“Relax, she said it would be a few minutes.”
Jackson sighs heavily while rubbing his hand down his face, “I want to get home.”
I smile and try to diffuse his irritation. “I know, baby. I’m sure they want you out of here just as much as you want to be gone.” My last words slip out a little harsher than I mean, but he’s been less than easygoing. I know men are babies when they’re sick but I’m really ready to slap him.
“What does that mean?” he says clearly surprised at my little dig.
“You’ve been an ass, and that’s me being nice. Yesterday, I think you made the nurse cry. I know it sucks being reliant on people, but I swear, if you talk to me like that I will poke you in your bad leg.” I grin trying to soften my tone and sound playful while ensuring the message is delivered.
He looks taken aback as though he has no clue what I mean. “She wasn’t listening to me.”
“Jackson, you’ve snapped at every single person. You yelled at Mark on the phone yesterday because he did exactly what you asked for. Poor Danielle called me asking why she got an email with a list of things she already did.” I pause and sink down to look him in the eyes. “I know this is hard for you. God, I get it.”
His eyes harden and he purses his lips. “No. None of you get it. I can’t fucking walk. I can’t use a wheelchair, or crutches. I need you to help me take a piss.” He throws his hands up before rubbing the back of his neck. “I fucking hate this. I can’t sleep, I have one leg and one arm that work, but they don’t work together.”
I reach out and gently rub his cheek. “Hey,” I wait for him to look at me. “I have two arms and two legs, and I’m here. Don’t push me away. I love you.”
Jackson draws a breath and leans his head against mine. “I love you and I’ll try not to make you stab me in the leg.”
I laugh and kiss him, “I hope you try hard because I’ve refrained a few times already and I can’t promise I have much willpower left.”
Before he can respond the nurse appears.
“Okay, Mr. Cole. You’re all clear. You have all the medication for the ride home. Dr. Allison already spoke with the doctor in New York who’s going to follow up. All I need is your signature on this form and you can head home.” She smiles brightly.
Jackson signs the form and we exit the hospital that’s kept him alive. The ride to the airport is quiet as we both enjoy the freedom of the outside world. It’s been a rough few weeks and it’s not over yet. Luckily, it’s not a long ride and we get on the plane easily, thanks to two sailors who rode with us to help. I knew I couldn’t lift him, so the SEAL team in Germany sent help.
We head to the bedroom in the back of the plane and Jackson sleeps holding my hand. They gave him a mixture of painkillers for the long journey, and thankfully, he didn’t argue about taking them because he knew it would be rough. I lie here looking at him and allow myself this time to let out the emotions of the past few weeks. I let the tears fall and watch each one stain the pillow. They’re not tears of weakness, they’re tears of strength. There is no shame because this has been hell. I’ve never been more scared yet determined in my life.
I run my fingers through his hair as he dreams. I listen to his breathing and marvel at him. This strong but damaged man who loves me. Jackson came into my life like a force of nature. Pushing me to feel and refusing to give me a chance to run away anymore. I’m sure I’ll run again, only this time I’ll run to him.