When he tries to move, his arm catches on the IV. “What the hell?”
Settling on the edge of the bed, I brush his cheek. He’s clammy. The only light in the room is a sliver from the hall so I can’t see his face, but he sounds like shit.
“It hit you pretty hard. We needed to bring in a doctor.”
He gulps down the drink. “Who’s we?”
“Ares, Apollo, and Artemis came by to help get you out of the car and into bed.”
“Your bed?” There’s a levity to his voice. If there was more light, I imagine he’d be wiggling his eyebrows at me. The urge to smack him makes my fingers twitch.
“Yes, dummy. My bed. I wasn’t sending you back to that house of animals. Who’d take care of you?”
“Tate’s a pretty good nurse, but he doesn’t have your rack.” He reaches a hand out and slides it in mine.
“Why didn't you tell anyone you were getting such bad migraines?”
“They aren’t all like this.”
“One is one too many, Raffi. How often do these happen?”
“Not that regularly. I keep on top of it. Maintaining a daily routine can sometimes help stave them off. Guessing I didn’t hydrate enough yesterday. Usually I get a warning though. Not today. I’m sorry for scaring you.” He strokes my hand.
“I can handle it.”
“You shouldn’t have to.”
“Neither should you.” There’s sternness in my voice. I’m trying hard not to judge. The more time I spend with his teammates, the more I get him wanting to stay in their circle.
“What did the guys say?” He shifts up in the bed a little with a grunt.
“Well, they called a fancy doctor who’ll be back later to change or remove your IV. They brought your meds, carried you to my bed, and helped me get you settled. I’m going to guess they love you a lot.”
There’s a smile in his voice when he speaks. “I love them, too.”
“They’re worried about you. We all are. Apollo is going to cover for you at practice tomorrow morning so you can rest.There’s no way any of us are letting you skate, so don’t even argue.”
He chuckles, and it makes the bed vibrate. “I like when you’re bossy and have mom voice.”
“I’m always bossy with mom voice.”
“Not like this.”
“You want another cold compress for your head?”
“Mmhmm. Please.” His words are slurred like he’s falling back to sleep. The doctor said rest is the best thing.
When I move to stand, he grabs my arm. “Come back though please? Will you cuddle?”
As he talks to me, it occurs to me there’s not much I wouldn’t do for this man. “Of course I’ll cuddle. As long as it doesn’t disturb you.”
He grunts. “I like when you disturb me, Firecracker. Hurry back.”
It’s not long before I’ve replaced the compress on his eyes and snuggled into bed next to him. My head rests on his chest, his arm around me as he kisses me. “I really am falling for you, Victoria Barnett. You need to start accepting it.” His voice is thick with sleep, but filled with determination.
As my eyes flutter closed I admit to myself I fell for him a looooong time ago. It’s past time to let him back into my heart.
CHAPTER 32
