Total pages in book: 45
Estimated words: 44342 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 222(@200wpm)___ 177(@250wpm)___ 148(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44342 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 222(@200wpm)___ 177(@250wpm)___ 148(@300wpm)
I cut him off. “My ex.”
He grits his teeth. “Your ex told Nicole that you had arranged for her to be here.”
I put my hands on the bed to help me stand up. “Well, she was fucking lying. Where are my clothes? I gotta get out of here.”
Grant comes to stop me. “Sit down. You’re in no shape to go anywhere.”
The room starts to tilt. “Fuck. I have to go see her. She won’t answer my phone calls and—” I almost break down. “I love her, and if this ruined everything, fuck, I just need to talk to her.”
“You love her?” Grant asks in disbelief.
I look him straight in the eye. They removed the bandage after I demanded it, and even though my vision is a little blurry, there is no way he doesn’t see the sincerity on my face or how much all this affects me. “Yes, I love her. I love her more than anything.”
Grant falls into the chair next to the bed. “Fuck.” He runs his hands through his hair. “Listen, I’ll get her to come see you, but I’m not giving her any excuses or anything. You’re going to have to fix this on your own.”
“Please,” I plead with him. “Just bring her here, please? I’m begging, Grant.”
He blows out a breath. “I’ve never seen her this upset, Guy. She’s downstairs. Give me a few minutes.”
My eyes widen. “She’s here? In the hospital?”
I stand up again, and Grant pushes me back onto the bed. “Sit tight.”
I point at him. “Grant, don’t let her leave…”
He towers over me. “You said you wouldn’t hurt her.”
I suck in a breath. “I know, and I hate this happened, but you have to know I would never have wanted that. I haven’t talked to Katelyn since we broke up. I promise.”
He searches my face and nods. He gets almost to the door when I say, “Maybe I should go with you.”
He shakes his head. “She’ll come. It’s killing her not to know you’re all right. She’ll want to see you before she leaves.”
I sit back on the bed and take a few deep breaths. Nicole is here. She came to San Antonio. She was at the game, and even though she had told me that she needed space and time, she came anyway. And just like that, it all clicks into place. She loves me.
I have no idea what I’m going to say to her when she comes through that door, but I know I’m going to make sure she knows she is the only woman I want in my life.
CHAPTER 24
NICOLE
“Dad, this is crazy. I should just go.”
I’m following my father through the hospital, but I’m not sure this is the right thing. He didn’t say much except that Guy wanted to see me. I shouldn’t care what Guy wants, but I do. My dad doesn’t say anything, so I ask, “Is he really going to be okay?”
He nods. “I think so.”
I groan. “Dad, is she still in there?”
He looks at me softly. “No.”
I cross my arms over my chest. “I don’t need to see him. I just need to know he’s okay, that’s all.”
My dad stops walking. “So you don’t want to see him?”
I shrug and wipe at my wet eyes.
He puts his hands on my shoulders. “Honey, listen, he wants to talk to you.”
I shake my head in confusion. I don’t get it. I figured my dad would be mad about all this, but he’s pretty calm about it. “You think I should go in there?”
He blows out a breath. “Honey, you know I hate that you’re hurting, but I also know that if you don’t go in there, you’re always going to wonder what if. I’m just saying you should go in there, see for yourself how he’s doing, and then if you still want to go to the airport after this, I won’t stop you.”
I suck in a deep breath and pull my shoulders back. I continue following my dad, and when we get to Guy’s room, he puts his hand on the door. “I’ll be right here if you need me.”
I nod, he opens the door, and I walk in. Guy is sitting up on the edge of the bed, and his eyes are eating me up. He holds out his arms. “Nicole.”
I stay rooted to the spot.
He struggles to stand, and I move toward him. “No, don’t get up.”
He blows out a breath in frustration. “If you don’t want me up, then come over here so I can reach you.”
I walk over next to the bed, and he reaches for my hand, grasping it between his. “Sit down.”
I don’t budge. “I’m going to stand.”
“I’m sorry—” he starts, and I shake my head.
“No, I don’t want to hear you’re sorry. I just wanted to see that you were okay and I’m glad there is no internal bleeding and you’ll be back to baseball soon.”