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“Yeah, that sounds good. Any thoughts on what we’re gonna do?”
Jasper shrugs. “I say we wing it.”
Oh yes, I love it when he wings it. I think my body distracts him a bit, makes him a little crazier than he expects, and he goes hog wild. I’m excited to see what he ends up doing to me. I mean, I’m always down for whatever.
“Also, we need to stop by the grocery store on the way home. I’m helping make dinner tonight.”
“Sounds good,” I say, my heart flopping in my chest with how well he fits in. I mean, never in a million years would I expect Jasper, the city boy, to fit in with my family, but he has. Kristy is still a little leery, but my other sisters have warmed to him. Probably because he’s a fantastic cook. Last night he helped make some seriously good mashed potatoes, and it’s hard as hell to impress these Midwestern men when it comes to potatoes.
No one even complained.
Jasper exits the highway, and a moment later the hospital comes into view.
“Are you sure you don’t mind waiting?” I ask when he parks the truck.
He shrugs. “I have my laptop and a good book. I’m fine.”
I turn to face him and then feel my eyes sting. God, why is he being so damn nice to me? It makes me all confused. So before he can protest and before I can think about it too hard, I pull him into a crushing hug, his body half draped over the console, his face buried in my neck.
“Oomph,” he murmurs, his lips brushing over my skin.
I squeeze and then release him, and Jasper sinks into his seat, his cheeks flushed and his eyes a little wide.
“I allowed that because you’re sad,” he says and then adjusts his hair.
A small chuckle escapes me and he bristles slightly. Damn, but he’s so cute and feisty.
“Alright, in we go,” he says, glancing despondently at the rain coming down in sheets against the car. He pulls out an umbrella and squares his shoulders like he’s going into battle. I’d love to see him when it really snows out here. I mean, there was a little bit last night, but it wasn’t much. But the snowstorms we get… Yeah, he’d probably just keel over dead when his legs slip out from under him.
“I should have brought an extra change of clothes,” he murmurs. “I’m going to get soaked.”
I push open the truck door and step outside, the icy water hitting my face and exposed skin.
“Come on, slowpoke!” I shout and start jogging toward the hospital doors. The jean jacket I found in a closet is shielding me from the worst of it, but I can feel myself growing damp. Thank fuck I have long legs and reach the automatic doors quickly. Jasper is right behind me, his eyes narrowed in thought, as he makes it indoors.
He shakes the umbrella out and swipes at some water on his cheek.
“No need to wait,” he says, shifting his messenger bag on his shoulder. “Go check in. I’m going to grab a coffee since it’s been hours since my last one. Want one?”
I nod and he moves past me, his gait determined.
I watch his ass a little too long before moving in line and waiting to check in.
When I reach the front of the line, I’m told that my mom has been moved to a new room, and I grab the sticker the receptionist hands me, slapping it onto my shirt. Jasper is back in a jiffy, handing me a cup of coffee. I take a sip and realize it’s exactly how I’d make it. I want to ask him how he knows this, but I don’t get a chance because he’s sitting down and settling his laptop on his knees, a look of concentration on his face.
“I’ll be back soon,” I tell him, and Jasper glances up and nods.
And I find no more reason to procrastinate.
I walk down a dreary hallway and find my mom’s room, and when I step inside I see her in bed, wires cascading from her arms to the different machines around the room. She’s sharing a room, a curtain pulled closed between the space and I hear someone moaning. God, hospitals are so fucking depressing. I hate them.
I glance over at my mom and see that her eyes are closed, but a nurse is here as well, writing something in her chart.
“How is she?” I ask, and the nurse’s eyes slam into mine.
Any other time I’d be taking in how handsome he is, but right now all I can see is my mom who looks a little better than she did yesterday but still so small and frail. Flashbacks from seeing my dad in the hospital filter through my mind, and for a moment, I forget to breathe.
His passing happened years ago, and yet the memories make it seem like it was just yesterday. How his skin was a sickly gray color, how the lines on his face seemed almost more pronounced. He didn’t look that old when we finally put him in the ground though. He looked younger somehow. The mortuary did a great job.
