Page 62 of Forever my Love

Hannah shook her head. “Not yet.”

He was quiet for a moment. “When can I go home?”

“If they can get you on your feet and walking around, a day or two,” Hannah said.

“Any permanent damage?”

Hannah shook her head. “Skin, muscles, and a broken rib or two.” She sighed. “You were extremely lucky.”

He agreed as he thought of the other possibilities.

“Do the police have any clue where the man is?” he asked.

“No, but they’re not taking any chances. Nick and Tom have arranged for a twenty-four hour watch on Hailey and you until you return home,” Hannah said.

“Yeah, I remember dad mentioning that before I blacked out again.”

“They moved to the hotel across the street. They can be here in a few minutes if you want?” Hannah asked.

“No, I’m okay. Is there a television in here?” he asked. “I’m wide awake.”

“Sure, here.” Hannah handed him a remote. “I’m awake too. I slept on the plane and had a nice long nap before you woke up.”

After flipping through the many home shopping channels, he finally found a news station. His sister shifted over and sat next to him on the bed.

Even though he had a dull ache in his side, he allowed her to snuggle up against him like the old days when they were kids.

They watched the news in silence, and when a report about the fight came on, he smiled as he watched the replay of him taking down Carrigan.

“Everyone stood over you,” Hannah said softly. “Even Carrigan.” She pointed and, sure enough, Reece could see the man locking arms with the others to protect Reece while his parents, and Hailey knelt beside him.

“She loves me,” he admitted to Hannah.

“Duh,” Hannah said, nudging his leg. “I think the entire world knows that now.”

He smiled. “Do you think she’ll marry me?”

“You?” Hannah looked at him and squished up her face. “You’re too stupid for that.”

He laughed. “Wyatt is marrying you.”

“He’s smart,” she countered.

“So is Hailey,” he pointed out, and his sister’s smile grew.

“Yes, she is. Yes, baby brother, I think you found someone smart enough to marry you.” She leaned up and kissed his cheek.

Two days later, he slowly made his way up his front stairs. Ali was staying at his sister’s place for now until he was a little steadier on his feet.

“I’ll take your bags upstairs,” his father called out halfway up the stairs.

“The meal train dropped off enough meals to fill your freezer,” his mother said as they made their way to his sofa.

“Thanks.” He sat down, feeling completely drained from the flight and drive home.

He patted the spot on the sofa next to him for Hailey to sit down as his mother made her way back to the kitchen, no doubt to check that everything had been delivered and put away.

“How does it feel to be home?” she asked him with a smile.