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He huffed out a laugh, and when I looked up at him, his smile was soft. “I feel like I should be offended.” When I shot him a dry look, he shook his head with a grin. “Sammy, there’s nothing wrong with letting people in. You can’t live your life alone. Is it possible that you’ll make mistakes and trust the wrong people? Yeah. But there’s also a chance that you’ll make some genuine connections, and that’s just as important as protecting yourself. You need more than just me.”
“So you think I trusted the wrong person?”
Sighing, he lifted his eyebrows, an almost exasperated look on his face. “You’re focusing on only half of what I said. I can’t tell you if trusting Clink was the wrong choice. I don’t know him that well. But what little I do know isn’t all bad.”
My brow furrowed. “Like what?”
“Like instead of taking the drugs and walking away from me, he got help. He was fuming before he went inside. He didn’t want anything to do with me, but he still got me help instead of walking away. He’s also loyal to his friends. He didn't take a deal, even though the guy offered him exactly what he wanted. And he cares enough about you that he refused to leave without you. Yes, he’s an addict, and he’s got a long way to go to get sober. And yes, he’s part of a very dangerous club, but that doesn’t automatically make him a bad person.”
My brows drew together tightly. “But I trusted the wrong guy, and you got hurt because of it. You never would’ve been there if I didn’t call you. I shouldn’t have gotten you involved. I shouldn’t have gotten involved with someone in an MC.”
He tipped his head back and forth, a thoughtful look on his face. “Yes, and no. I’m a firm believer in fate. Had you not called, Clink would’ve gotten high and maybe ended up in a deal with the devil. Instead, he’s here, and he finally came clean to the people he calls family about his drug use. Now he’s got an entire building full of people watching out for him. You did that. Honestly, if he didn’t care, he wouldn’t have gotten in the car with me at all. He only agreed because I told him it’d make you sad if he didn’t.”
My chest tightened, and I fought back a grimace. I didn’t want to hear stuff like that. It would only make this harder.
“I’m not saying you have to be in a relationship with him. I agree that there are red flags that would make me pause. But it's entirely up to you. You need to decide if the connection you feel with Clink is worth facing your own demons, as well as his. Putting your walls back up isn’t going to do you any good. You deserve to make some connections in your life. More than just me. And we both know your connections with ‘the right kind of people’ didn’t always work out for you.”
I fiddled with the edge of the bedspread, running through it in my head. I didn't really know what to decide. I liked Clink, and up until this morning, I was interested in spending more time with him. But that was before Tyson almost got killed. I couldn’t lose the one person who was important to me. And it wasn’t like Clink and I were so deep that I couldn’t walk away. It’d make me sad, but it wouldn’t wreck me completely. I’d get over it in time.
A knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts, and a man swept into the room who I didn't know. He didn’t pay any attention to me, speaking to Tyson instead.
“Right. I got the blood, which should help. Are you still feeling nauseous and dizzy?”
I shot a wide eyed look at Tyson, who pursed his lips to hide his sheepish expression.
“Tyson!”
He winced. “What? It’s not like I was going to turn him away while he was baring his soul. I’m his sponsor.”
My mouth fell open. “You’re hurt! You should be resting, not playing therapist!”
The man I assumed was the doctor raised an eyebrow. “She’s right. You need to rest. The blood will help. Water and rest will get you back on your feet. Since you’ll be staying here a few days anyway, it’s a good idea to take some time off and relax.”
I tipped my head with a frown. “He has to stay a few days? He can’t rest at home?”
The doctor frowned back at me. “Neither of you are leaving. Hammer already targeted this one.” He gestured at Tyson. “And Croy told me you were Clink’s claim, which puts you at risk. You’ll stay here until the threat passes.”
When Clink mentioned they’d watch our back, I thought that meant that they’d check in every once in a while. I didn’t think he was going to keep us here. And I had no idea what it meant about being Clink’s claim. When I looked at Tyson, he was frowning, too.
“I can’t stay here. I’m a sponsor. People rely on me.”
The doctor sighed heavily, like this argument wasn’t a new one, and he was tired of talking about it. He gave Tyson a flat look. “Unless you want those people to be targeted too, you’ll stay put. Talk to them over the phone and send in someone else to replace you. Your life is at stake here. I swear, no one seems to get that.” He set up the bag of blood with Tyson’s IV and left, muttering to himself, leaving me and Tyson to contemplate what he just said.
Turning to Tyson, I bit my lip. “Still think it was a good idea to get involved with a biker?”
He rolled his eyes. “Stop looking for excuses. You need to really think about what you want, not use every damn excuse in the book to decide for you. He didn’t mean for this to happen, and you know it.”
I shot him a dirty look. “You’re grouchy when you’re injured.”
He laughed, flinching and holding his side with the movement. “You’re a shit. Go away and let me rest.”
When I hesitated, his face softened, and he pulled me in for a hug. “I’m alright. I promise. Go see your fella and talk. You need to clear the air. I’ll be here when you’re through. Okay?”
Nodding quickly, I squeezed his shoulders and stepped back, waving a hand toward his phone on the nightstand.
“Text me if you need anything. I guess I’ll be downstairs, since I’m not allowed to leave.”
His mouth twisted like he was holding back a smirk and he waved me off. “Go. And Sam?”
