Page 106 of Sudden Summer

I closed my eyes and tried to nod. “Greg?”

“No. That asshole hasn’t been with her.”

“My mom?” I asked again.

“I called her. Left a message telling her what happened.” His eyes told me everything I needed to know. “She hasn’t called back. Lainey tried, too.”

I felt a tear slip out and run down my cheek before a calloused finger was there, wiping it away.

“But Mom and Dad have been here every day. Same with Hayes, Colt, Vi, Jessie, and Hawk. Nate’s even been here a few times. We’re rotating the kids around as best we can.”

His hand came up and brushed some of my hair off my face. “Do you remember what happened?”

I nodded, an unfamiliar feeling of tightness in my neck and shoulder.

“You’re so fucking lucky, Birdie. I’m so fucking lucky. I don’t know what you were thinking…jumping in front of me like that, but don’t you ever do that again. I protect you. That’s my job. That’s my privilege. I die for you. You live for me.”

“Couldn’t let Juniper grow up without her dad,” I whispered.

“Fuck that. She’s not losing another mom. I’m always going to make damn sure of that.”

“Is she okay?”

He nodded. “Ma brought her down today so I could see her, but I didn’t want her around the germs for too long. And I asked, but they wouldn’t let her into the ICU.”

“How many days?”

“You were shot four days ago. Surgery took a long time, and then you were here. I thought I might never get to see those beautiful blue eyes of yours. Never get to hear that beautiful voice say my name ever again.”

He rested his head back down on my leg before pressing his lips against the fabric keeping me warm. And when his eyes met mine again, I saw the tears shimmering against his lashes. “You woke up yesterday for the first time, but you didn’t say anything. Just tried to focus your eyes a few times, and then went back to sleep.”

I blinked back the searing heat of tears as I lifted my hand, brushing away the droplets that ran down his face.

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, Beau.”

“You have nothing to be sorry for. You were being exactly the woman I’ve loved my whole life. Strong. Protective. Giving every last bit of yourself to take care of those you love. But maybe—just for a while until my heart doesn’t feel like it’s about to fucking crumble in my chest—you can let me be all those things for you.”

I touched the ladybug closest to me on his arm. “I can do that.”

“She’s doing okay?” I asked Jessie. It had been three days since I really woke up. I was enjoying my first day in my regular patient hospital room. No more ICU for me. Which was good. Two or three more days, a few more pokes and prods, and proving I could get around okay with my sutures and my arm in a sling, and I’d be breaking free from this hospital. I couldn’t wait to get home and cuddle Juniper.

“She’s great.” Hawk chuckled.

“You’re sure? Because I’m trying to get Beau to go home, just for the night, but he’s refusing.”

“I’m not leaving your side, Chickadee. You can chirp at me all you want. It’s not happening.” His hand was back on my head, running over my hair. The man had brushed it for what felt like hours, spraying in dry shampoo before pulling it low into my favorite braids. I always loved that brand of dry shampoo, but as soon as it was in the air, it overwhelmed me. I couldn’t smell him anymore, and it felt like the ground had shifted beneath my feet.

I managed to stay calm until he climbed back into bed with me, but I was sure he was going to ask me why the hell I suddenly became so clingy. He didn’t, of course. Because he was truly okay with just being there for me, however I needed him to be.

“They’re going to release me in a few days,” I whined. “You can go be with her. Come back to me in the morning.”

“Our daughter will want both of us there when we come home. She’s in good hands right now. Right, Jess?”

Jessie nodded. “Juniper is absolutely fine. The most important thing is that you are here, getting better, so you can get home one day soon.”

“But she has to be missing her dad.” I knew my arguing wasn’t going to get me anywhere. And I was grateful. Although I was healing better than anyone expected, I still felt weak. And I knew that Beau had clocked that so fast. There was no way he’d leave my side again, but I had to try for Juniper. I couldn’t help but feel like I’d stolen such precious time from them being together.

“Stop. I can see the guilt literally steaming out the top of your head right now.” Beau sighed, picking up my black and blue hand, pressing his lips lightly over my skin.