Page 123 of Sweet Redemption

“College,” I correct him before I think better of it. Oh well, I guess he knows now. “We were freshmen in college. But that’s not the point. How did you know?”

“It doesn’t matter. What matters is that man saved your cousin’s wife’s life tonight. And he’s on oxygen at the hospital.” My heart slams against my chest, and Dad catches his words. “No. It’s not that bad. I spoke with Annabelle before I got to you, and it’s just precautionary because he was inside the flower shop where the fire seemed to be at its worst. He’s going to be fine. I think he’ll be out for the next game or two, but that’s it. Hell, he’s pissed they forced him to even go to the hospital.”

“You knew?” I ask again. “Wait . . . you knew, and you still traded for him?”

Dad’s grin is cocky, and for a reason I’m not sure I’ll ever understand, I start laughing. But hey, I guess it’s better than a panic attack. “Did you know everything?”

“Just that you were together, and then you weren’t. And yes, I told you before, I traded for him because it was time for him to come home and be with his family. If you two happened to find your way back to each other, then so be it.” We pull into the hospital parking lot, and Dad grabs my hand. “Are you angry?”

I laugh again and kiss his cheek. “I love you, Daddy.”

And then I let myself out of the car and run.

“Hey, kiddo,” Declan Sinclair slows me down with his hands on my shoulders before I can rush through Hendrix’s hospital door. “Take a breath. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. How’s he?” I ask with tears gathering in the corners of my eyes.

“He’s pissed as hell that he’s here. But he’s going to be fine. They’re monitoring him for a few hours to make sure his oxygen levels stay stable, but so far, so good.” He looks past me to the door. “Annabelle’s with him now.”

“Oh.” I step back, realizing that to him, I’m just a friend, and they probably don’t understand why I would rush in there. “Can I see him?”

“Of course, sweetheart.” He squeezes my shoulders and opens the door. “Oh, and by the way, nice sweatshirt.”

I smile, knowing exactly what it looks like. Because this is one of Hendrix’s college hockey sweatshirts with Sinclair and his number stretched across the back. Shit. And I look like I don’t have pants on.

Oh well.

SERENA

The first time you touched my face, my life changed.

One touch, and I knew.

—Serena’s secret thoughts

“Oh good, Serena,” Annabelle sighs as I walk through the door, and my eyes immediately soak in Hendrix sitting up in bed. His face is smudged and there’s a small bandage on his arms, but he’s here and he’s alive and he’s mine. “Maybe you can talk some sense into him.” She leans over and kisses Hendrix’s cheek. “I’m going to go call Mel and check on Bodhi. Could you please convince my most stubborn child he absolutely should not sign himself out against medical advice? They want him here for a solid four hours to make sure his lungs are fine.”

Hendrix lifts the oxygen mask from his face and glares at Annabelle. “I’m fine, Mom.”

“I’m so glad you got that medical degree when I wasn’t looking. Oh wait. That wasn’t you. That was Nixon’s wife. So unless you have a whole life I’ve been unaware of, stay there for three more hours and be quiet. Ryker’s wife hasn’t woken up yet. That could have been you. Chew on that for a while, please.”

She walks out of the room, and I make a mental note to never piss off Annabelle Sinclair.

“Serena—” Hendrix says as I move into the room and stand next to the bed, taking the oxygen mask from him and adjusting it until it’s back in place.

“Uh-uh. You don’t speak. You sit right there and breathe in that oxygen, you got it?” I ask and wait for a smart response that doesn’t come, which tells me all I need to know. This man doesn’t feel good. I climb up into the bed next to him and watch as he relaxes and opens his arms.

God, I love this man.

I rest my head over his heart letting the steady rhythm calm me in a way nothing else would do. “You listen to me, Hendrix Sinclair. I didn’t survive three years without you, to finally get you back and then lose you again. Do you hear me?” I lift my head and smile with trembling lips. “Nod if you hear me.”

He laughs, and I lay my head right back over his heart.

“I love you, Hendrix. I have always loved you, and I will always love you. Today, tomorrow, next year, and our next lifetime. It will always be you and me. Do you understand me?”

He nods and pulls me closer.

“I don’t want to do this lifetime without you. You and me and Bodhi. That’s what it’s supposed to be.” I kiss his chest and close my eyes. “Now, I’m going to lie right here with you until you’re allowed to leave, and don’t you even think about leaving one single second before then. Got it?”