Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 57201 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 286(@200wpm)___ 229(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57201 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 286(@200wpm)___ 229(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
“I’m glad you recognize that,” she says, swiping the tissue from my hands and taking over. I stare at her, shaking my head.
“Have you ever thought that I’m the one that needs to be here?”
“Yeah, right. I’m just a big ball of laughs,” she mocks.
“Well, you’re never boring,” I allow.
“Asshole,” she mumbles.
“How about I call Mom and have her bring Lennon to see you?”
“Maybe it would be better if no one comes. The roads here are busy and—”
“Stop what you’re thinking, sweetheart. You can’t live your life in fear because some idiot didn’t know how to obey traffic laws and drive with care.”
“But—”
“Where’s that fiery blonde that gives life hell?”
“She’s tired.”
I kiss her forehead. “It’s all going to be okay.”
“You know you really can leave. I’m just over emotional today and a little loopy from pain meds.”
“I remember a time when loopy Katie was a hell of a lot of fun.”
“There’s a big difference between being drunk and where I’m at now, smart-ass.”
“Maybe, but I’m still here with you, so I’m not complaining.”
She lets out a sigh and stares at me. “What are you doing, Jake? What are you trying to accomplish?”
There’s a lot I could say in response, but I’m not sure how to answer. I’m going on instinct here. Pure instinct. The truth is, I don’t really know what I’m doing. I just know that I want Katie and Lennon in my life. Today has shown me that Katie expects me to leave. I’m going to prove to her that I’m not leaving her when she needs me. If I can prove that, maybe there’s a way to stoke that fire that’s burning in her eyes.
“Right now, I’m going to go call my mother and then I’m going to see a hot nurse to give you a sponge bath.”
“A hot nurse? Can you make him older at least?”
“Honey, she’s going to be young and hot. This is my fantasy not yours.”
“You’re a pig, Jake Ryan,” she says, but she’s laughing.
I give her a wink and go outside. It’s time I call my mother for help.
CHAPTER 26
Katie
“Are you okay, baby? You’ve been awful quiet.”
“I’m just tired. It was really good seeing all of you today. I’m so glad you’re doing so great, Mom.”
“And who saw to that. Why would you do that? Don’t you know I couldn’t live without you, baby?” Mom asks and it hurts to move but I force myself to reach out and pat her hand.
“That’s how I feel about you.”
“I know baby, but I’ve lived my life and it has been a good one. As a matter of fact, you made it wonderful.” I smile. Everything I know about love I learned from this woman. She’s completely good. I’ve never met anyone else like her and I know I never will. They broke the mold when they made her. “Now, tell an old woman what’s going on.”
“Jake’s confusing me,” I confess. “He’s refusing to leave. He’s looking after me. Then, there’s Lennon.”
“That boy loves Jake.”
“He told him that,” I admit. “It’s just…”
“Just?”
“It’s happened so quickly. What happens if Jake goes back on the circuit and decides being a father doesn’t fit into his life. Where does that leave us? Lennon, I mean. Where does that leave him?”
“I know exactly what you mean,” Mom responds, smiling.
“It’s not like that,” I immediately deny, already knowing what is on her mind.
“Don’t lie to an old lady. It’s bad karma. You aren’t hiding anything from me. We had this discussion right before the accident, remember?”
I let out a long breath and sigh. “I remember, but it doesn’t change anything. Sure, I’m always going to love Jake. I can admit that because it does nothing but make me the biggest fool in the world. I’m enough of a realist to know that love isn’t enough when it comes to Jake. It just isn’t.”
“It wasn’t the first time. What’s to say it’s not this time?”
“I’m to say it. Jake will leave, Mom. He will leave and I’ll be here to pick up the pieces again—only this time I have Lennon to worry about.”
“Seems to me, if Jake was to leave tomorrow, you’d still be left to pick up the pieces. What’s wrong with seeing if you can show Jake what he’d lose by walking away?”
“You’re forgetting something.”
“Am I?”
“Yes, like the fact that I promised Jeff I would marry him? I made promises to him.”
“He made promises to you, too, sweetheart. Yet, do you see him here?”
“No…”
“And he knows you’re in the hospital.”
“Mom…”
“Do you remember what I told you when you came to me for advice years ago because you were in love with Jake?”
“You told me following my heart is never wrong if trust is involved, but maybe that’s the problem. Maybe I don’t trust Jake any longer.”
“Then tell him that. Maybe he’ll prove you can.”