Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 85167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
“Were you serious about putting me on the books?”
Brandon’s jaw literally dropped and Driver barked out a short laugh that sent a wave of pain through him.
“Holy shit,” Brandon said. “Yes. Of course, I was serious.”
“Even with this.” Driver waved at the cast around his right calf and ankle. It was going to be a pain in the ass getting around, but maybe it was just what he needed to stay put this time. He couldn’t run anywhere with a bum leg. Definitely couldn’t ride his bike. That is, if she wasn’t completely totaled. Brandon still hadn’t told him.
“You’ll be out of that in a few months, man. No worries. I’ll set up a stool behind the bar and you can be a princess mixing drinks if you want.”
That image lifted Driver’s mood. “Show me where to sign. It’s time I grew up.”
Chapter Thirty-Five
It was hard to believe it had been less than seventy-two hours since he’d been in this exact position. Driver leaned precariously on crutches in the doorway of his grandmother’s hospital room on Tuesday morning.
As much as he’d wanted to leave the hospital yesterday, the doctor had kept him for observation. Concussions were a bitch and they didn’t want to take any chances. His phone had been completely busted in the crash and without it he hadn’t a way to contact Tam. So, as much as he’d yearned to set things straight, he’d been forced to wait it out.
Brandon had stayed though, and kept him company. He’d even printed out a contract and recorded Driver signing it for Harrison. They both had lots of fun at Driver’s expense over that one and he let them because they deserved it. It’d been a long time coming.
Early that morning the doctor finally gave him the all clear and he’d come straight here. He’d been there for at least five minutes.
They hadn’t noticed him yet. Which was okay, he was still working up the nerve to face them. His apology seemed weak in his own mind.
Gramps brushed his hand over Gran’s head and kissed her cheek, whispering to her. Her eyes were closed, but she wasn’t sleeping because whatever Gramps said, it made her lips tip up in a soft smile. After fifty years, they were still sweethearts.
The loneliness he’d been fleeing from for so long swept up to choke him. Driver tightened his hold on the aluminum sticks under his arms and fought the waves as visions of him and Tam played in his mind like a movie. He’d been so close. So fucking close to never being alone again.
And he’d fled from it.
Doubts no longer plagued him. He knew now. He didn’t want to live without Tam.
They both had scars to deal with, but he’d made up his mind. He wasn’t going to leave love behind. They’d grow together. Heal together.
If it wasn’t already too late.
Tam had the heart of a lion. He loved fiercely. His inner fire was bright enough to chase away all the shadows. But that didn’t mean he’d forgive easily. Some things were unforgivable.
Driver could only hope that there was still a chance.
If there was, if he did somehow manage to hold Tam again, Driver was never letting go.
In order to make that a reality, he needed to deal with a few things. The first of which was right in front of him. He knocked on the doorframe. Gramps’s eyes widened when he turned to see him.
“Son.” Gramps held out a hand and Driver limped inside to catch it in his own. The connection soothed him.
“Driver?” Gran’s voice was groggy but her eyes were clear as she tracked his slow, wobbly progress around her bed. “What happened to you?”
“A little accident. I’m fine, don’t worry.” He pulled the second chair to the opposite side of her bed and lowered himself into it as gingerly as possible. His body was still tender and the ibuprofen hadn’t kicked in yet.
“An accident?” Gramps was focused on his cast.
“I’m okay. I swear. Minor fracture, bruised ribs and a slight concussion, nothing to fuss over.”
“Oh dear.” Gran fussed anyway, doing her best to sit up while the pillows and blankets did their best to keep her down. Driver leaned forward to stop her, placing a palm on her arm. She covered his hand with hers.
“I know how much I’ve put you both through. I can never do enough to make up for it. You deserve so much better from me and I’m sorry. I regret not being a better grandson, not sticking around. You took me in, raised me well, gave me everything I ever needed, and all I did at every turn was throw it in your face.”
“That’s not true,” Gramps said.
“It is. I had such a hard time dealing with my own loss I never once considered what it was like for you. You lost them too.” Driver met his grandmother’s watery eyes. “Your daughter. I can’t even imagine how much that must have hurt.”