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Busy gave me a small smile. “You were mumbling in your sleep.”
“Nightmare,” was all I said.
She nodded. Picking up a bottle of water off a table by the bed, she handed it to me. “This might help make you feel better. Although, I’m sure you’d probably rather it be alcohol. I know I would. I remember last summer, I went for a run with Sammy and I tripped over air and sprained my ankle. It hurt like a bitch, but he gave me a shot of tequila later that night and I felt really good after. I also slept like a baby.”
I stared at her.
“Oh.” Her cheeks reddened. “Sorry. I talk a lot. It’s one of my many flaws.”
“No. I like it.” I found that I could listen to her speak for hours and her talking a lot was definitely not a damn flaw.
“Thank you.” She blew a loose curl out of her eyes. “I usually get told to be quiet.” She shrugged like it was no big deal. But it was. Maybe not to her but it definitely was a huge fucking deal to me.
“Who tells you that?” I asked, my voice coming out harsher than I intended.
“People.” She shrugged again. “I usually only start talking a lot when I’m nervous or bored or trying to make small talk, which is something that I’m not really good at. I find most people want to talk about the weather but who wants to hear about that? Not me. Talk to me about movies or books and I’m all ears.” She snapped her mouth shut. “I’m doing it again.”
I chuckled. “Don’t be nervous around me, Busy. But talk. Talk until you don’t want to talk anymore. I like listening.”
Her smile grew. “Really?” She stood. “Well, Tanner. You haven’t heard anything yet. I’m easing you in slowly.”
My chuckle deepened. “I’m looking forward to being eased in completely, baby.”
Her eyes widened, her smile falling from her face and her cheeks turning a darker shade of red.
I winked.
Just as I was about to tell her to stay and talk to me, the door to the room opened.
“Ah, you’re awake.” Nero came into the room and stood at the end of the bed. “Good thing too because I think the twins are losing their minds over Bee being in here with you.”
Busy rolled her eyes. “They can get over it.”
“Doesn’t matter.” He cupped her cheek and placed a soft peck on her head. “As much as I love having you here, I know Greyson wants answers.”
My stomach twisted, knowing that I wouldn’t be able to give him the answers he was looking for. Not completely anyway.
“Fine.” Busy went to the door. “Sammy! Cyrus! If you want us to leave, you have to help Tanner to your SUV.” She turned back to me and gave me a wink. “I got your back.”
Something stirred in me. Little did she know how much I needed to hear that.
“He got stabbed in the shoulder,” one of them called back. “His legs work fine.”
“Doesn’t matter.” She scowled. “The pain meds are making him drowsy.” She huffed, leaving the room.
While she rounded up the twins, Nero came toward me.
“I’m going to give you a warning,” he murmured, low enough for only me to hear. “And I don’t give a shit if you don’t want it.” He pressed his thumb into the wound in my shoulder. “You’re lucky you’re still alive.”
Even though I was on painkillers, the agony that shot through me, forced a rough grunt from my lips.
“I see the way you look at my granddaughter.”
Busy looked our way.
Nero waved, digging his fingers into my shoulder.
She smiled and looked away, probably waiting for the twins to hurry the fuck up.
