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“Yep, that’s right. Thanks,” Everleigh tells him.
“You’re welcome. Get to feeling better. We’ll be in touch.”
Everleigh continues flipping through the channels after the officer leaves. After she’s watched two full episodes of Friends, she huffs. Before the third one ends, the nurse enters with the paperwork.
“Sorry it took so long. Just needed a few signatures, and it’s hard to track people down these days.”
The woman goes through all the disclaimers, follow-ups, and privacy acts. After Everleigh has signed her name several times, the nurse offers to get a wheelchair to bring her downstairs.
“Can you help me change?” she asks her, and if Tyler weren’t here, I would’ve been happy to assist.
“Sure.” She turns and looks between Tyler and me. We stand, knowing it’s time to leave the room.
“I’ll pull the car around,” I say. Tyler follows as relief washes over me. Having Everleigh back home is something I’ve been anxiously waiting for. We step into the elevator and make small talk. It’s been awkward between us, but it could just be my guilt making something out of nothing. He hasn’t asked me if Everleigh and I are a thing, but if he did, I wouldn’t lie.
“Glad she’s going home,” he tells me. “Hopefully, she listens and actually takes it easy.”
“Me too. Sassy’s gonna be happy to see her too.”
Tyler grins. “Yeah, she will, though I’m sure Mimi has given her way too many treats. She might’ve forgotten about everyone else at this point.”
I chuckle. “Well, that’s what grandmas do.”
“Oh yeah. She spoils the hell out of Scarlett, and she’s only six months old.”
“She’s a very generous woman. You’re lucky to have her.”
He nods. “Don’t know what we would’ve done without her after my mom left. Mimi is an angel.”
The doors slide open, and we walk through the halls. Once we’re in the parking lot, I scan my eyes around and make sure everything looks okay.
“I’ll wait here,” Tyler states as I walk toward Everleigh’s car.
After I start the engine and move around to the covered area, I tap the brakes a few times just in case that psycho bitch decided to cut the lines. Though I blame it on my paranoia, nothing is out of the realm of possibilities.
I leave the car idle, then stand next to Tyler as we wait. His eyes move over the area too. “I’m really anxious to let Everleigh out of my sight,” he admits, and I see the worry lines above his brows.
“I am too.” I ball my hands into fists, ready to fight anyone—man or woman—who tries to hurt her again.
Tyler frowns. “It’s hard because of work and my family. I can’t be around her twenty-four seven like I used to, so I’m struggling with it.”
“Listen, I promise I’ll do whatever I can to keep her safe, and if that means all of my clients get rescheduled until she’s fully recovered, then so be it. I can be her full-time bodyguard.”
He shakes his head. “I can’t let you take on all of the responsibility, Archer. I have a friend I could call to help keep an eye on her, but I’m not sure that’s a good idea after what happened to Eric. They still don’t know who’s responsible for his murder.”
“I guess none of us are truly safe, but the truth is you have a family now. Your wife and daughter have to come first. You gotta stay out of danger for their sake. Don’t worry, I’ll take care of Everleigh like she’s my own sister.”
Though I mean those words with my whole heart, I hate implying that Everleigh and I aren’t anything more than friends. I want to tell him I’m in love with her, but now isn’t the time. I’ll do whatever it takes to protect her from here on out.
He gives me a tight brotherly hug, knowing what I went through for Annie. “I trust you, man. I know you will. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” His words cut deep, and I feel as if I’ve betrayed him by not telling him the whole truth, but I push away the thoughts as soon as I see Everleigh.
I open the car door for her as she’s wheeled to the edge of the sidewalk. She meets my eyes, and I help her climb inside the car.
“Stay safe, sis,” Tyler says as he hands over her bag, then dips inside and hugs her.
“I will,” Everleigh tells him.
I hop in, and we wave goodbye. She winces a bit and readjusts her position. Knowing that this might be an issue, I grabbed a small throw pillow from the couch for her. After she places it against her side, she smiles in relief.
“You good?” I ask before driving away.
She nods. “Better now.”
I interlock my fingers with hers on the way. She rubs her thumb across mine. Tonight, I’ll get to hold her in my arms as we fall asleep, and that thought comforts the hell out of me.
