Page 109 of Contentious

“There you are.”

“Here I am. Are you ready to get the heck out of here?”

“So ready. The nurse said to let him know when my ride was here.”

“I’ll go tell them, boss,” Anthony said.

“Thanks.” Carson held out his arms to Cresley, and she walked into his embrace. “Couldn’t wait to see you.”

She ran her fingers through his thick, dark hair. “Same.”

“How’s Ty?”

“He was mad that he couldn’t come to pick you up, but he said to tell you he’ll be home at three twenty-two and will get you anything you need.”

Carson chuckled. “Three twenty-two, huh?”

“And not a minute later.”

“I’ll look forward to that.”

They were still holding each other when Anthony returned with the nurse and the wheelchair that would take Carson to the exit.

“I really don’t need that,” he said of the chair.

“Hospital policy, my friend. We see you safely to the exit, and you take it from there.”

“All right, then.”

Cresley was glad the nurse insisted, because despite what Carson thought, there was no way he could walk all the way to the exit.

Watching him grimace in pain as he moved from the bed to the chair made her heart hurt the way it had every time it’d happened over the last week. Despite his assurances that this was in no way her fault, she still felt responsible for every ache and pain he’d experienced. Because he’d refused all narcotics, managing the pain had been a huge challenge. Over the last two days, however, he seemed to have turned a corner, with the pain finally letting up somewhat.

She hoped that wherever he was, Marlon was experiencing a fraction of the agony he’d caused for Carson—and her and Ty by extension.

Escorted by Anthony and two of Carson’s other guys, they made their way to the lobby.

Anthony had sent another guy ahead to get Carson’s SUV, which was idling at the curb when they emerged into bright sunshine.

“Hey, you got the car fixed!” Carson said.

“Cresley took care of that,” Anthony said.

Carson glanced at her. “You didn’t have to do that.”

“Please, it was the least I could do,” she said with a shy smile.

“It looks good as new, boss,” Anthony said as he held the passenger door for Carson.

“I want to sit in the back with Cresley.”

“Oh. Okay.”

Anthony and Cresley helped Carson up and into the vehicle, a process that left him sweating and gasping.

Cresley’s stomach turned in sympathy. “What do you need?”

“Just a second to catch my breath.” He glanced at her. “Don’t worry. I’m okay.”