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“This is good news, Joaquin,” says our club’s doc and my friend.
I nod. “I know. It’s just taking the rest of me some time to recognize that.”
Willow has been through a lot over the past week and a half, and she hasn’t woken up even once. It’s killing me to think of her trapped inside a fucking poison frog hallucination. “I’m going to kill every last one of them,” I growl.
“I understand,” Nova says in his calm, slightly soothing doctor voice. “She’s going to wake up, man. She just needs time.”
Time. I could give her time. “Yeah, all right.”
Nova flashes an understanding smile. “If you’re going to keep vigil at her side, try to get some sleep, man. You look like shit.”
“Gee, thanks, brother.” I smile, and for the first time in more than a week, it’s not forced. “Thanks for taking care of her for me, Nova.”
“No problem. That’s what we do, right? Take care of those we love.” He smiles again and walks off, his words ringing in my ears as I return to Willow and settle in the chair beside her.
Those we love.
I don’t know when it happened, but Willow definitely makes it into that category. No matter how much I want to keep her in the casual-only box, I can’t deny that it really hasn’t been casual from day one.
She’s wild and has a fucking good time, but the girl has layers. She asks questions no one has ever asked like she really wants to know the answers, and like a fool, I talk and keep talking to her.
No, it’s never been casual between us, but now, whatever this is I feel, I don’t know, it’s something else.
Something more.
A woman hesitates at the entrance to the hospital room, and I can tell she’s Willow’s mom. They have the same eyes.
“Ms. Martinez,” I say and wrap my arms around her. “Hi, I’m Joaquin, Willow’s friend. I just talked to the doctor, and Willow’s going to be fine.”
The woman slumps in relief and says, “That’s good. I knew her silly love of bikers would get her in trouble.”
I suck in a breath but don’t take offense at her words because I know she’s hurting. Instead, I say calmly, “Actually, Willow’s friend has been missing for a while now, and she’s been worried about her, so I took her to Sandee’s job so she could get some answers.”
“Sandee’s missing?”
I’m surprised but happy she knows. It says something about Willow that she keeps her mom in the loop about her life. “For a while now,” I say, feeling new respect for this woman. “Willow’s been going out of her mind with worry, so I went with her because I had a feeling Sandee’s ex wouldn’t like us asking questions. Looks like I was right.”
Shit. The half-lie that I tell Willow’s mother triggers an idea I want to pass along to Ace. It might be nothing, but it doesn’t feel like nothing.
I offer Mrs. Martinez a chair. “Would you like to sit?”
She nods and takes the chair at Willow’s side. “How do you know my daughter?”
“We’ve been seeing each other,” I admit easily.
She smiles. “No wonder she hasn’t been around much. Are you treating her well?”
I nod. “I’m trying to,” I answer and look at Willow, looking so frail and lifeless in the bed. I know I failed to keep her safe, and that shit pisses me off. “She’s a firecracker,” I assure her mother as if that makes up for my shortcomings.
Her mom smiles. “That’s Willow. From the moment she could walk, she’s had enough energy for three children. Wild and smart and so much fun.”
I sigh. “Sounds like the Willow I know.” How long before I get that Willow back? The question puts a hole in my heart. “How are you doing with everything?” I say to cover up my own pain.
“Fine,” she sighs. “I know Willow worries about me, but I’m good.”
I nod, unsure of what else to say. I’ve never had to meet a chick’s parents before. “She says you two are a team, and she always wants to make sure you’re all right.” At least I know that much is true.
Ms. Martinez smiles. “She’s had to grow up too soon, and that’s my fault. I had her too early before I matured and realized how much responsibility a baby was, especially without a partner.”
