Chapter 13
WREN
I wasn’t sure what had woken me. My pounding head and aching side? The rhythmic beeping of the machines all around me? My eyelids felt like they weighed a hundred pounds as I forced them open to survey the darkened room. I wasn’t sure what I’d expected, but the sight of Max bent over, his head laying against my bed fast asleep, wasn’t it. His arm was wrapped around my legs as though shielding me even in sleep.
I must have made some sort of movement, because he jerked awake so fast it was nearly comical. “Are you okay?” he asked blearily, looking ready to take on Goliath should he desire a fight just then. Or maybe he’d already fought him. His face was covered in scratches, and he was sporting a hell of a black eye.
“What happened to you?” I asked hoarsely, my throat like sandpaper.
His eyes roamed my face. “I’m fine and so fucking glad to see you breathing, babe.” His voice was thick with emotion as his head dropped into my lap. My fingers traveled into his thick head of hair on their own accord. “When I saw your taillights sticking out of that ravine, my heart fucking stopped.” His admission was slightly muffled as his face remained pressed to my bedsheets.
“My dad said you found me,” I murmured. “I thought I’d heard your voice talking to me. I just figured I was dreaming.”
He lifted his head to look at me. “I should have never let you leave the bar like that, upset and without knowing how I feel about you. The thought that you could have been taken from me without knowing how insanely in love with you I am guts me, Wren.”
I knew my eyes were wide as saucers as I stared at him in shock. “You’re in love with me?”
“Insanely.” He made sure to add with a sad smile. “Don’t forget that part.”
“How…? What?” My foggy brain scrambled to keep up with this sudden change of heart. “I’m not worth it, remember?” I reminded him, sadly turning my head away. The sight of him there was too much for my pain-wracked body to handle.
He squeezed my leg gently. “I never said that, and I never believed it. I don’t want you worried about anything now. I just need you to know that I’m here and I’m not going anywhere.”
“But my dad… Everyone will know….” I trailed off in confusion.
“Your dad already knows,” he confirmed. “I think my trying to break down the door to get to you might have given me away,” he added dryly.
I turned to look at him, his injuries making much more sense now. “The black eye,” I surmised with a sigh. “Was it bad? What are all those scratches from?”
“Let’s just say my trip down the ravine to get to your car wasn’t exactly slow or cautious. It’s nothing I can’t handle. I don’t want you to be worried. Everything’s gonna be fine.”
The fact that he’d been hurt because of me made my heart clench.
“How’s your pain?” he asked.
“Okay,” I lied.
He eyed me shrewdly. “I’m getting the nurse.”
I didn’t respond and instead watched his powerful body move across the room in consternation. Had he really said he loved me or had the pain meds created that fantasy?
Rather than question it, as soon as the nurse upped my dose, I let it all go, drifting off into oblivion.
****
When I opened my eyes again, sun was shining through the window and Max was nowhere to be found. Instead, both of my parents were seated at my bedside.
Maybe it all had been a dream after all.
My mom was up in an instant, leaning over me, her hand pressed to my forehead gently, the way she’d always done when I was sick as a kid. My dad’s worried face appeared at her side as they both peered down at me.
“How you feeling, honey?” she asked gently.
“Okay,” I mumbled groggily. Even if I was in excruciating pain, I didn’t think I’d share it just then. They looked worried enough. “What time is it?”
“Just after noon,” she replied.
“Wow so late.” I tried to sit up and immediately winced at the pain in my ribs. Which were cracked, right. The extent of my injuries the doctor had explained to me last night came back in a rush.
“You’ve got to take it really easy, honey,” she reminded me as I gave up trying to resituate myself with a frustrated huff.
I looked to my dad, who still hadn’t spoken. His jaw was clenched, eyes dark with fury as he watched me struggle to get comfortable. “We’re gonna find out who did this, Wren. Do you hear me?”
I nodded mutely, momentarily stunned by the harsh timber of his voice. I’d seen him angry in the past, but never anything like this.
“The entire club was here last night to make sure you were okay,” my mom put in gently. “Most of them are back today. We’re all so glad you’re okay, baby.” She swallowed hard, and I knew she was close to tears.
My dad’s arm wrapped around her, pulling her in for comfort.
“Everyone is here?” I hedged. I didn’t want to outright ask about Max in case I’d imagined our whole conversation.
My mom shot me a knowing smile. “Max was here all night. He went to get us some coffees. Your father’s just taking some time to adjust to this new development,” she whispered with a playful wink as my dad growled irritably.
“That makes two of us.” I sighed. “But whatever it is or isn’t, I’m an adult.” I looked at my dad pointedly. “Whether you see that or not. And besides, if there is something”—I was too cautious to hope—“wouldn’t you rather it be someone you know and trust?” I asked. “Rather than some stranger?”
My mom shot him a pointed look, and I got the impression she’d said the same thing to him. I wasn’t surprised; she’d always liked Max.
“How about we just wait a few more years on all of this?” he grumbled. The sad thing was, he was only partially kidding.
“I know you want me to be happy,” I replied gently. “I just need you to trust my judgment, regardless of whoever I end up with.”
He leaned over me, swiping his big hand over my forehead. “You deserve the world, baby.” He gave me a sad smile. “I’m just not sure anyone deserves you. Someday, when you’re a mama, you’ll understand how I feel.”
A moment later, Max strode in to the room, balancing three coffees. He looked exhausted and stunningly handsome in the clothes I remembered him wearing last night. He handed a coffee to both my parents before he took the chair by my side as though he had every right to be there. “Okay?” he asked quietly, his dark eyes sweeping over me with concern.
“I’m okay. Did you ice that shiner?” I asked, shooting a brief glare at my dad. I couldn’t believe he’d actually hit him. Then again, knowing him, I absolutely could.
It looked worse today. Coupled with the scratches scattered across his face and neck, he looked like he’d been through the ringer.
He shrugged indifferently, which meant no. “I’m fine.”
I sighed in frustration but knew getting on his case wouldn’t do anything. “Did they pull my car out yet?” I asked, already wondering how much work I’d have to do to her to get her back running. I’d just gotten her back after working on her nearly every day since I’d been home. I loved that car.
“Yeah, and you’re never drivin’ it again,” Max declared.
“What the hell are you talking about?” I exclaimed in indignation.
“Part of the reason you’re injured so bad is because that car had no fuckin airbags and a lap belt.” He growled. “You could have been killed. Fix up the ’Stang all you want, but I’m putting you in a Highlander as soon as you’re up to driving again.”
“A Highlander?” I screeched, looking in frustration at my mom and dad in a foolish bid for support. My dad was watching Max with begrudging approval, which made my blood boil further.
Dear God, there were two of them.
“Don’t worry about the car right now,” Max continued smoothly. “Can you tell us what happened last night?” he asked, his tone noticeably softer.
“We are talking about it later,” I told him firmly. There was no way I was giving in that easily. “As for last night, I really have no idea,” I admitted. “This big SUV started following me as soon as I left the bar. At first, I thought they wanted to pass me, so I slowed down, but they only sped up. I couldn’t get to my phone, so I just hit the gas. When I hit the top of the hill, they hit me, and I spun out.” I swallowed hard, remembering the fear and utter helplessness of that moment. “I hit the guardrail and went down. I don’t remember anything after that. Do you think this has to do with what happened in Portland?”
“We don’t know,” my dad replied, “but we’re gonna find out. In the meantime, I don’t want you to worry.”
I nodded, feeling drained even by the short exchange.
“You need to rest,” Max surmised gently.
“So do all of you,” I murmured. “Why don’t you go home? Get some sleep? I’m fine here,” I assured them.
“So am I,” he responded easily. “I’ll leave when you do, which might be as early as tonight.”
I perked up a bit at that. “Really?”
“Really,” he confirmed with a soft smile. “Get some sleep.”
I sank further into the pillow, my eyes sliding shut.