by C. A. Harms
“Thank you.” It only came out in a whisper. He exited the room, and Maria came in shortly after.
“Hey, momma, you need anything?” she asked.
“Yeah, could you sit with him for a few minutes? I really need to use the restroom.” Rhett was asleep in the bed and the side rails were up, but I was still nervous about leaving him alone.
“Of course.” She took a seat next to the bed. “Gavin is outside. He was gonna take me back to your place.” She paused, and I knew she was wondering if she should continue. “Reed is in the waiting room with your parents.”
I nodded before stepping from the room. Gavin pushed forward off the wall and tucked his hands in his pockets. “Little man has to stay, huh?”
I smiled. “Yeah. Listen, thanks so much for getting us here. I really appreciate it.” I looked up to see Reed standing about ten feet back.
Gavin noticed my gaze and looked back. “Um, I’m gonna go out and wait for Maria in the waiting room.” He rushed off before I could speak, and Reed walked in my direction.
He looked pissed, and that made me angrier. “Looks like Gavin came to the rescue.”
I placed my hands on my hips and glared up at him. “You don’t get to be mad, Reed. I tried calling you over and over. I never asked Gavin to get me here, Momma sent him. He was the only one with a truck. You should be glad he got us here safely, not pissed because he was there when you weren’t.” His anger shifted slightly, but I wasn’t done yet. “You have the nerve to show up here, with her. That took balls. I told you she was a hard limit for me. You being with her is unacceptable. Do you not remember she was the girl who ended us the first time?”
I shoved past him and rushed for the restroom. He gripped my elbow and spun me around to face him. “A call came in about the wrecks on the highway. I was the only one close. She was stranded on the side of the road. I couldn’t just leave her there. I was in the process of giving her a ride back to town when I noticed I had the missed calls.” He took a step toward me. “I came straight here. That is the only reason she is with me. I needed to get here.”
I stood in the hallway staring up at him, my chest aching. I was so mad that she was with him. Right now I couldn’t do this. I had to get back to Rhett.
“I don’t have time for this. I need to get back to my son. You can leave now. He is being admitted. He is sleeping, and he’ll be fine.” I entered the bathroom and took in a deep breath. I tried to calm my racing heart by bracing myself on the sink and hanging my head forward.
After I finished up in the restroom, I found Reed still waiting outside in the hall. I tried to avoid another conversation with him, but he had other plans. “I know you’re mad, and I understand, but I was only doing what I volunteered for. I had to get her home.”
“Just take her home, Reed. It’s late, and I’m exhausted. I really don’t have the energy to deal with this. I have enough going on right now.”
I walked away and left him standing in the hall. After I said a quick goodbye to Maria, Gavin took her home. My parents popped in to check on Rhett and me. Momma said she would come up in the morning to relieve me so I could go home to shower. I just didn’t think right now I had it in me to leave.
I assumed Reed had listened. When the nurse from Pediatrics came to get us, we walked through the waiting room to the elevators. The room was empty, and my heart ached. I pushed the images of him and Kimberly together out of my head.
The nurse brought me a pair of clean scrubs to wear, and I cleaned up in the bathroom.
Rhett woke up a few times through the night. With the Motrin and Tylenol, he was able to get a couple hours of rest here and there. I was another story, I never got more than an hour total.
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 intentiona
lly 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.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Three days, that was how long Rhett was in the hospital. Three very long, exhausting days. New Year’s Eve was almost here, and my plans to go out were the last thing I felt like doing. I really wanted to curl up and sleep for weeks.
Rhett was now back on schedule, and I was like a walking zombie. I needed a long, hot shower and a fluffy bed.
The moment Rhett fell asleep for the night, I gathered my things for the shower. Stepping under the hot water felt wonderful, almost orgasmic. It had been days since I got the chance to relax.
After finishing up, I made sure everything was locked up and walked down the hallway toward my bedroom. A loud slam on the side of the house had me spinning around, holding my hand to my chest. I stood very still, making no sound as I waited to see if it came again. Footsteps on the front porch, followed by someone trying to turn the handle, made me panic. I ran to my bedroom and grabbed my phone.
Dialing Reed’s number, I slipped into Rhett’s room.
He answered after the second ring. “Hey baby, I figured you’d be out by now.”
“Someone is outside my house, trying to get in.” I spoke fast. I was terrified. I could hear him moving around through the phone.
“Where are you?”
I took a deep breath. “I’m in Rhett’s room. Please hurry.”
“I’m on my way. Stay in there, push the dresser in front of the door and stay there.” I heard the squeal of his tires and knew it would only be minutes before he was here. “Talk to me, Kori. Can you still hear them?”
“There was a loud noise and then footsteps on the front porch. They tried to open the front door. Please hurry, I don’t know if they are still out there.” I was whispering, but the shaking in my voice was undeniable.
“Almost there, coming around the bend. Thirty seconds, baby. You stay there until I come to you, understand me?”
“Yes.”
Reed let me go, and I sat in the darkness, listening. I held my phone tightly in my hand, waiting. It felt like forever had passed when I heard Reed’s voice on the other side of the door.
“Kori? Baby, let me in. Whoever it was, they’re gone.” I stood and walked to the door. I had the dresser in front of it like he said. The door was only open enough that I could see through the crack. “It’s okay, Kori. Open up, move the dresser.”
Seeing that he was there and alone, I slid the dresser to the side. He stepped into the room and wrapped me in his arms. “You okay?”
All I could do was shake my head. The adrenaline was wearing off, and I began to shake. “No,” I said against his chest. “I’m not okay, I was so scared.”
“I’m here, you’re okay
.” He kissed my temple and soothed me by rubbing my back. “Let’s call and report it. Get the chief to put someone on patrol to keep an eye out. You need to pack some things for you and Rhett. You two are coming home with me.”
“No, it’s…” He cut me off quickly.
“I said pack some things for both of you. I’m not taking no for an answer. There is no way I am leaving you here. Now get moving while I call the station.” He stepped back and began dialing his phone.
All I could do was shake my head, damn bossy ass man. Secretly, I was glad he was making us leave. I had to appear a little stubborn, though. I couldn’t let him think he had full control. I stood in the same spot listening to him talk to someone at the police station. He noticed and walked in my direction, covering the phone receiver with his hand.
He was standing right in front of me and skimmed my jaw with his thumb. “Please don’t fight me on this. I’d feel better if you two were with me. I wanna keep you safe, please just let me do that.” He was pleading for me to be agreeable.
My stubbornness went right out the window. There was no way I could avoid that sweet grin of his. Of course letting him keep us safe was the route I would be taking. Hearing him ask instead of demand warmed my heart. “Okay.” I moved past him and began gathering some things.
They would be sending a patrol car out to check on my place and would continue to keep an eye out throughout the night.
The drive to his house was quiet. Rhett only stirred a little as we lifted him from bed and placed him in the car seat.
Once we were back at Reed’s and got Rhett settled back in bed, I followed Reed to his room. He slipped his shirt off and crawled into bed. Placing his hands behind his head, he watched me with a grin on his lips. “What are you smiling about?” I asked.
