Page 90 of Contentious

“It’s fine. I want to be here with you. Can we see Carson?”

“Yes, but I’m not sure when. They’re limiting the number of people who can go in, and he has a big family. So it might be a day or two.”

“I can’t wait to see him.”

“Me, too, buddy.”

“What should we do today?”

“Lie around and watch TV?”

“You never want to do that.”

“I haven’t slept yet, so that sounds like the perfect day to me.”

“Is there food in this house?”

“Yes, there is, or we can order delivery.”

“Pizza for breakfast!”

“Ew.”

“Yum.”

She tickled him, and his joyful giggle healed her. “I love you so much, pal.”

“I love you the mostest.”

“No way.”

“Yes way. I’m sorry my dad is causing all this trouble.”

“That is in no way something you need to apologize for. Tell me you hear me on that.”

“I hear you.”

“It’s not your fault. It’s his fault. He’s choosing to do these things, and you don’t ever have to apologize for him.”

“Still, I feel bad about it.”

“That’s understandable, but don’t ever think that it’s your fault. That’s very important to me.”

“Okay. So about pizza for breakfast…”

“Whatever you want, my love.”

Chapter Eighteen

Carson had no idea where he was or what was happening when he forced his eyes open to a room full of people and activity and beeping. A lot of beeping. How could he make that stop?

“Hi there, Carson. How’re you feeling?”

His tongue felt huge, his lips wouldn’t move to form words, and he’d never been so thirsty in his life.

The nurse ran a sponge thing over his mouth, which was the best thing ever.

“Do you hurt anywhere?” she asked.