Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 142728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 714(@200wpm)___ 571(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 142728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 714(@200wpm)___ 571(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
“That’s not true,” I mutter. “You’re going to be a great father.”
“This is important to Serena,” he explains. “She’s comfortable with you. She likes you.”
Those words steal the rest of my protests. “Okay. Yeah.”
“Good.” He pats my shoulder. “Now act surprised when she asks you.” He grabs the pitcher and walks over to an ice machine. For a few seconds the grind and clink of ice cubes drowns out every other sound. He tops it off with water and jerks his head toward the hallway.
Conflicted, I follow him back to Serena’s room.
She’s resting against the bed with her eyes closed but slowly opens them when Grinder sets the pitcher down on the nightstand. “I thought you got lost,” she whispers.
I really shouldn’t be here. She needs her rest. And why hasn’t a fucking doctor checked on her once since I’ve been here?
“Nah, Dex walks slow,” Grinder says.
She sips her water for a few seconds, then sets the cup down. “Did Grayson already ask you?”
My gaze darts between them. “Ask me what?”
She squints at him, then shakes her head. “We’d like you to be Lincoln’s godfather.”
Even though Grinder already warned me—and may very well murder me if I say something that hurts Serena’s feelings—I stare at them for a few seconds.
“Yeah, I’d be honored.” I cock my head. “You sure you don’t have me confused with one of the other brothers?”
“Nope, you looked so good in your suit at Teller’s wedding, I said, you have to be Link’s godfather,” she answers with an amused smile.
Huh?
“I’m kidding! Seriously, you’re always handing out sage advice.” Laughter sparkles in her eyes. “Just maybe give it to Lincoln with a few less F-words sprinkled in.”
I laugh and stare at my boots for a few seconds. “I can do that, Serena.”
Lincoln seems to sense he’s the topic of discussion and lets out an angry cry. I glance at the door. Is no one coming to check on them?
“All right. Thank you for coming, Dex.” Grinder nudges my shoulder and pushes me toward the hallway. “She needs a minute.”
“Thank you, Dex,” Serena calls out.
In the hallway, Grinder places his hand on my chest, nudging my back against the wall.
I stare down at his hand. “This is happening with annoying frequency, Grinder.”
“You all right?” he asks, ignoring my comment.
“Me?” I use my arm to dislodge his hand from my chest. “Shouldn’t you be more worried about your ol’ lady?”
“You’re fucking green around the gills.” He points at my face. “So, I’ll ask again. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” I glance at Serena’s room. Lincoln’s quieted down already. But all my worries rush to the surface. “But she looks so…tired.”
“She just had a baby,” he says like I’m an idiot.
Ignoring his tone, I hurry with my thoughts. “Just…make sure you keep an eye on her. Don’t let those doctors talk you into anything. If you think…if she’s not feeling right, you get someone else to see her. Don’t take no for an answer. Or let them—”
“Okay,” he says gently. Too gentle for Grinder. Almost bordering on pity. I need to get a grip. “Labor was rough on her, but I spoke to the doc earlier. She said everything’s looking normal.”
“They all say that. But doctors don’t always know. They don’t pay enough attention. It’s up to you to make sure they take her seriously.” I glance at the room again and take a breath. I sound completely un-fucking-hinged. “She’s got a woman doc? That’s good. Maybe she’ll listen better to what Serena’s going through.”
Grinder frowns but nods slightly. “Yeah, Serena likes this doctor a lot. She’s been thorough.”
“Good. Good.” I blow out a breath and tilt my head back, resting it against the wall. Get control of yourself, for fuck’s sake. “I should head out. Let Serena know I said goodbye.” I smile until my skin feels like it’ll crack from the effort.
He frowns. “Maybe I should’ve waited. I thought…” His voice trails off.
Christ, could I have handled this any worse? “I’m good. Thank you. I’m sorry I was weird about the godfather thing. I’m honored, Grinder, really.”
“Okay,” he says, still sounding uncertain.
“I’ll catch you later.” My boots squeak over the shiny tile floor as I march away from him.
I’m thrilled for my brother. At least, I want to be. But every second of this visit has ripped open an old wound. Memories that I’ve spent years forcing into the dark corners of my mind bubble to the surface every time I’m in a hospital. This time, it seems worse than ever.
Once I’m finally outside, free from the antiseptic stench and endless white walls, I can finally breathe again.
The out-of-control feeling pisses me off. This is the last fucking time I do this to myself.
I’m never setting foot inside a hospital again. Not for any reason. Not ever.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
Emily
It took the entire drive to Johnsonville to shake off the weirdness from running into Dex at the hospital. His gruff demeanor stung like hell. I keep trying to reassure myself that it had nothing to do with me. Hospitals make lots of people uneasy. Whatever the reason, I’m not reaching out to him first.