Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 87911 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87911 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
“How are you feeling, Ms. Decker?” the nurse asked.
“I’m feeling better, thank you. Can I have a moment with my daughter?”
“Of course.” The nurse left.
Eagle and Alfie didn’t take the hint.
“I’d like to talk to my daughter please.”
“Mom, it’s okay. Eagle was the one who called me.”
“How is that possible? He doesn’t have your phone number.” Lily rubbed at her temple and winced.
It would seem every single part of her body was bruised.
“Mom, stop. Don’t hurt yourself. You’re bruised. You got hit by a car.”
Lily moaned. “I remember, believe me.” She smiled. “I can’t believe you’re here. You’re here all in one piece.”
“I know. I’m right here.”
Lily cupped her face.
“I came as soon as Eagle called me.”
“Yes, how did you get her phone number?” Lily asked.
“I used your phone,” Eagle said. “How are you feeling?”
“Like a car ran over me and had fun while he did.”
“Was it a he driving?” Alfie asked, stepping forward.
“I don’t know. I was crossing the road and I was sure I had enough time to get to the other side, but I think the car sped up.” Lily groaned. “No, that can’t be right. I’ve never upset anyone in my life to make them want to run me over, have I?”
Eagle smiled. “No, you haven’t.”
Lily nodded, and Chloe saw pain in her mother’s eyes. This was all her fault.
“Mom, you just need to rest and let everyone else figure all of this out.”
“You’re here,” Lily said, changing the subject.
“Yes, I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere else. I promise you.” She reached out, stroking some of her mother’s hair out of the way. “I missed you.”
“Your date. You went on it, right? Please tell me you went on that thing?”
She chuckled. “I did, and it wasn’t great. I was telling Eagle about it when I thought he was you.”
Lily groaned. “I hate that.”
“I’m staying at home, and after I talk to the doctor, I’ll decide what I’m going to do.” She touched Lily’s legs, and both of them were in casts. Not good.
This was going to end with her staying in town, which oddly, didn’t upset or surprise her.
“We’ll see what happens. The doctor has already done some tests. He said coming out of the coma really fast was a good sign. He mentioned something about shock, and the pain, and he wants to keep me monitored.”
“I’m going to stay with you.” Chloe sat down in the chair.
Behind her, she heard Alfie and Eagle take a seat.
“You two don’t have to stay,” Lily said.
“Yeah, I do, Lil,” Eagle said.
No one else said another word on them leaving, and Chloe forgot they were there as she caught up with her mother.
Chapter Fourteen
“I’ve got to get to the clubhouse,” Eagle said, later the next morning after they’d spoken to the doctor.
Alfie sat all night watching Chloe and Lily reconnect. He saw how worried both women were, and each one was trying to be strong for the other. It was what he’d gotten used to when he was with them. Neither of them wanted to break or fall apart.
Chloe let out a yawn as her stomach rumbled.
“I can drop you both off in town for breakfast,” Eagle said. “The diner is no doubt open.”
“And I bet heaving with people.”
“Probably. It’s the way businesses stay afloat.”
Alfie watched Chloe, brow raised. “I could eat breakfast,” he said.
“You could always eat something. Yes, I’m starving, and I’m not even in the mood to raid my mom’s fridge.”
Alfie kept watching her in the mirror. She rested against the door, and he kept expecting her to fall asleep.
Nothing happened.
She stared out the window, and he simply watched her.
Eagle was different since Lily stopped trying to kick them out. His father looked happy for the first time in years, and Alfie knew it was because of Chloe coming back, and her not demanding they were gone.
The drive didn’t last long, and it was silent once again.
He wondered how long it would be before they were all able to talk like normal people rather than the awkward silences.
Outside the diner, he thrust his hands into his pockets and waited.
“You sure you want to go in there?” she asked.
“I am. You look like you want to take off.”
She laughed. “Wow, it has been a long time since I came here.”
“When was the last time?”
He watched her do the calculation in her head.
“Six years, give or take a day or two. The last time I came here was with my dad. Just before Mom caught him the last time with the strippers.”
“You and your mom share a whole lot.”
“We do. She always told me she wanted a close relationship with her daughter. I love my mother. I’d do anything for her.”
“Would you be willing to bring your mom and my dad back together again?” He didn’t even know why he was asking.