What can I say? I tend to spread out no matter where I am. I have plenty of things to leave around.
Titus hasn’t even looked twice at anything. Or if he did it’s only because he likes it. I can see it on his face when he catches something else that I’ve left around like I belong there.
I look over at Titus who is sitting in the wheelchair with a scowl on his face. It’s deep and dark, but I have to hold back a laugh.
“I can’t believe they’re really going to make me ride out in this thing,” he complains while glaring down at the chair like it personally offended him.
“It’s the rules,” I tell him.
I’m pretty sure I’ve said the same thing to him five times since they wheeled it in here. He grumbles something else under his breath, but I’m not paying attention. I’m checking all the drawers, even the ones I know I never put anything in.
It’s not just Titus’ things here either. I haven’t left. Why would it? There’s a bathroom, a bed Titus insists I sleep in with him, and the club has brought us meals. Having food delivered to us has been amazing.
I suppose hospitals don’t need to be known for their food. This one certainly isn’t.
“I’m more than capable of walking,” I can hear the frustration in his words.
I get it. He’s a man who likes action and relies on his physicality. I’m sure not being allowed to walk out on his own power isn’t easy for him to do.
When I put my hand on his shoulder, he looks up at me with narrowed eyes because he knows I’m about to placate him like a toddler. He deserves it.
Before I can, the door opens and I look up expecting it to be the nurse so we can get this show on the road, but I freeze when my dad walks in. He’s not in his uniform today, which is kind of a surprise.
“Hello,” he starts, his voice tinged with an awkwardness he’s not sure how to overcome. After clearing his throat, he steps deeper into the room. His hands are loose at his sides, but I can see the strain in his shoulders. “I hope I’m not interrupting,” he tries.
“No,” I tell him, feeling the need to fill the awkwardness, “we’re just waiting for the nurse to come back with his discharge paperwork and then we’re out of here.”
My word, is that my voice? It’s far too high and bright; it sounds fake as hell. Internally, I grimace.
Something relaxes in my dad’s shoulders. “Good,” he says it like he means it. “I’m glad you’re doing better and getting out of here.”
One side of Titus’ mouth lifts, but his voice is neutral, like he’s testing out the waters, “It’ll take more than a bullet to bring me down. At least this time,” he chuckles like it’s a joke.
I smack at his shoulder and chastise him, “It’s not funny at all. I’m traumatized.”
Titus glances up at me, his gray eyes sparkling, “No, you’re not.”
Even though I try biting my lip to stop myself from smiling, it’s a total failure. I grin down at my man, the one who took a bullet for me and would stand in front of anything to protect me, and I feel the love pulsing between us.
“Fine,” I admit, “I’m not.” I point at him and add, “But that doesn’t mean I wasn’t scared out of my mind.”
Titus grabs my hand and brings it up to his lips. He kisses my fingertips softly; his eyes filled with a warmth which resonates in the center of my chest and blooms. “I know,” he murmurs.
My dad clears his throat, and I gasp before turning in his direction with wide eyes. I’m expecting anger. I’m expecting rage.
But what I see in my dad’s eyes is a softness and a recognition that I’ve never seen before.
“You two are the real deal,” he says it like he’s only just now coming to the realization. He chuckles softly, but the sound is self-deprecating in a way I wasn’t aware my father was capable of. “I saw it when I watched the security feed but seeing it in person is different.” When he looks at me, he states, “You love him.”
“I do. He’s a good man. I’m not going to stand here and list all the reasons why because it’ll stroke his ego too much,” Titus chuckles, but doesn’t say I’m wrong, “but just know the list is long. The most important thing is that he treats me how I should be treated.”
Dad shifts his gaze to Titus. “You love her.”
“With everything in me,” the words are a resolute vow.
He looks between us and nods. “Then I’m not going to stand in your way.” He takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly before looking at Titus. “I won’t get between the two of you, but I also will never let personal shit get in the way of me doing my job.”
“Understood,” Titus’ voice is grave and holds the weight of this fragile thing between them.
