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Daddy—I’m fine. Waiting to go to x-ray, but I think it’s just a simple broken arm or collarbone. I lost my phone somewhere so I’m using Stephanie’s. Don’t cut your meetings short because I’m okay. Do your deal and I’ll be waiting at home for you. Good luck.((Hugs))

I started to hand the phone back to Stephanie when I thought of something.

Don’t sext me on Stephanie’s phone. Wait until I get another one and then sext away!

I handed the phone to Stephanie, who shoved it into her pocket. “Do you need anything? Where’s your bike?”

“That’s a good question. I was going to the Chaney Building when I got clipped by a taxi, the fucker, and smacked into the damn wall. I didn’t pass out, though the EMTs gave me something that knocked my ass out.”

Stephanie nodded and walked to the computer terminal mounted on the wall beside the bed. She typed in a bunch of numbers and then she began reading. I stared out the window for a few minutes until she cleared her throat.

“The paramedics reported there were no signs of a concussion, but they did give you a strong pain killer before transport, and that’s probably why you passed out if you’re not used to meds of the sort. They should be coming to get you for x-rays and a CT-scan to ensure there’s no internal damage to your noggin. The paramedics diagnosed you with a broken clavicle and a scapular fracture. The x-rays will confirm it.

“I get off at five, and I’ll come check on you. I can take you home if you need a ride. Lexi told me you’re living with Bridges now. That’s fantastic. You two make an adorable couple.” Stephanie clicked the mouse a few times and pushed the computer tray back into place.

“Great. I know you’re not a bone cruncher, but any idea how long that will keep me sidelined?” I could see my world imploding.

“You’re young and healthy. As long as the bones aren’t displaced, they should heal in a few months. Now, your arm will need to be immobilized for two weeks, and then you’ll have to slowly do PT to rebuild your strength. It’s January, so you should be able to get back on the road by early April.”

“Shit. That only gives me two months to get ready for the ride. No way is that long enough. Fuck.” My eyes stung with unshed tears.

Why was the Universe fucking with me?

Chapter Twenty

Bridges

“What’s taking so fucking long?” I wasn’t bitching at Alexis or the cab driver, but for the love of god, why was it taking so fucking long to get from JFK to my house in Brooklyn?

When I’d received the call from Edmond about Weston’s accident, I wanted to get on a plane immediately. Weston getting injured had my heart in my throat.

I needed to see that he was okay with my own eyes. When the text came through from Steph that she was with him and he was okay, I was relieved, but that didn’t quell my desire to check him over.

The two texts that were sent by West on Steph’s phone had me able to breathe again. If he was texting, he wasn’t dead. The fact he lost his phone in the accident wasn’t really a surprise, based on Edmond’s description of his injuries—a broken collarbone and floating shoulder. I really wanted to hear West tell me he was fine.

The next morning, I ordered Weston a new phone and had it sent to our home so he had one, and after we had our meeting with the Taiwanese manufacturer, striking a deal that was beneficial to both of us, Alexis and I were on a plane for the fifteen-hour flight back to the US.

We’d been in the cab for nearly thirty-five minutes because there was an accident on the Van Wyck Expressway, which was just my fucking luck. My patience was shot to hell.

Alexis touched my arm, probably trying to offer comfort, which further pissed me off.

“You’re not Superman, Bridges. You can’t fly to Brooklyn. It’s the same everyday traffic that you’re familiar with, so chill.” She did have a point.

I chuckled at my own bitchy behavior. “Aren’t you anxious to get home to Stephanie?”

“I’m always anxious to get home to the woman I love, and I’m planning to propose to her very soon, but she’s a pediatric nurse and works odd hours, so our schedules don’t always sync up. We’ve accepted that we may go for a couple of weeks only seeing each other in passing. We do, though, try to do special things for each other when we’re working opposite schedules like leaving each other notes or buying a special treat for the other to remind them they’re loved. We’re committed to working together to figure things out.

“Let me ask you, will you be able to travel without going apoplectic if West can’t come along? Do I have the jittery asshole Bridges to look forward to every time we have to go out of town?” Alexis certainly knew how to turn a phrase.

“Of course, I’ll be able to travel without him... Wait, if Steph got hit by a car, would you be so blasé about being away?”

Her expression was horrified, which was satisfying to witness.

I answered my question for her. “I’m guessing not so much.”

As we inched along in traffic, Alexis finally smirked. “You’re right, so I guess I better propose to the woman sooner rather than later so I’m her emergency contact? Are you Weston’s emergency contact?"

I laughed, breaking the tension. “I doubt it, but that’s my goal. I want to be the first person called if he needs me in any way. That and a hell of a lot more.”