Total pages in book: 169
Estimated words: 167671 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 838(@200wpm)___ 671(@250wpm)___ 559(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 167671 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 838(@200wpm)___ 671(@250wpm)___ 559(@300wpm)
“No, don’t Mom me.” She grabs my chin, forcing me to look at her. “I know what it was like to be young, okay? I was there.”
“She’s right. She killed a ton of people,” my dad says nonchalantly while staring at the wall ahead.
“Many more violent than the ones you encountered,” she adds.
“And?”
Her grip grows softer as she begins to caress my cheek. “I need you to be more careful. I know murder runs in your blood. But I don’t want to lose you to it.”
She suddenly hugs me so tightly that it catches me off guard.
“I was so goddamn worried about you,” she murmurs. “Promise me you will tell me next time you wanna plan another murder spree.”
“Mo—”
“Promise me.”
I roll my eyes and smash my lips together. “Fine, I promise.”
“Thank you.” She smiles while grabbing my shoulders. “And just so you know … I won’t stop asking why you did this until you tell me the truth.”
I snort. “Good luck with that.”
Max
Being shot twice definitely wasn’t on my bucket list of things to do, but I am so damn glad the doctors were able to take out the bullet while keeping my ability to walk and ride my motorcycle intact. God, do I miss riding … and other things.
I groan as I get out of the hospital bed to go to the bathroom, but the second I open the door, Ivy jumps into my arms, hugging me so tightly I instantly forget all about my mild pain.
“Wow, where’d you come from?” I mutter, confused about how she got here so suddenly.
“The doctor told me you’re finally getting out of here, so I asked Océane to drop me off. I’ve been staying in her sorority,” she mutters. “Anyway, it doesn’t matter. I’m so happy you’re okay.”
“How are you doing?” I ask, worried about the wounds she sustained.
“I’m okay. The doctor said I just got bruised ribs, a broken nose, and a concussion from the wound on my head, which they fixed. As long as I don’t hit my head and don’t get hit in the face again, I’ll be fine,” she replies. “What about you?”
“Much better now that the bullet has left the building. And my body,” I say, making her laugh. “But God, these hospitals are boring. And Elliot’s already been discharged, so I can’t go bother him either.”
“Lucky him,” she jests.
I smile and go in for another hug. “It feels so good to hug you while standing up.”
“Me too. I wouldn’t have been able to forgive myself if you’d have died.”
I push her back. “Hey now, don’t say that. I’m still here, in the flesh.” We both gaze down at my hospital gown. “Maybe a little too literal.”
She laughs. “Are you even wearing underwear?”
“No, that’s not allowed.” I frown suspiciously. “Is it?”
She snorts again, and it immediately makes me blush and cover up. “Is it airy in here or what?” I stammer.
She grabs my face and kisses me so gently I completely melt in her arms.
Yep, that’s the one thing that can get me to shut up.
“You always talk too much,” she whispers.
“I just have too much to say, honestly,” I reply. “I mean, you don’t know how hard it’s been staring at a white wall all day, all night. I have plenty of imaginary friends I can talk to now, though.”
She smiles and kisses me again. “Thank you.”
My cheeks heat. “For what?”
“You saved me,” she says.
Well fuck, now I’m really blushing.
“I just did what anyone would have,” I say.
“No.” Heath’s voice makes me look up as he saunters into the hallway with all that swagger he usually carries, putting a big smile on my face. “You knew what she was signing. How?”
I shrug. “I just taught myself.”
His eyes narrow as a slow but hot smirk builds on his face. “It’s that book. I knew it.” He claps his hands. “I fucking knew it.”
“What book?” Ivy asks.
I shush him, but it’s too late.
Heath crosses his arms behind his head. “He learned sign language just for you.”
Her jaw slowly drops, and the sight of them both in awe makes me want to turn this hospital gown inside out just so I can hide.
“You learned it … for me?” she mutters.
“I wanted to be able to understand you, even if you weren’t able to communicate with words. I wanted to be able to meet your needs, so I could be there for you when you needed me to.”
She suddenly wraps her arms around me and hugs me so tightly I can’t breathe.
“Thank you,” she whispers.
“Don’t thank me. I only did what was necessary. I can’t really do it well either, but—”
She plants a finger on my lips. “Stop questioning yourself. You are more than I could ever ask for.”
She grabs my face and kisses me so hard I lose my breath as well as all of the thoughts swirling through my head about how I should’ve done better. All the doubts and worries instantly evaporate when she kisses me.