AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The doctor smiles at me. “You can. But if you notice any new symptoms over the next few days, get yourself to the ER, okay?”
“I will.”
I thank her once more and hurry toward the waiting room. I haven’t seen Hunter since they pulled me out of the wreck. The whiplash left my brain foggy and confused, and I barely remember what happened after Edmund crashed the Jeep. But there’s one memory. It’s hazy, and I’m not even sure it’s real. But I remember Hunter’s voice drifting through the car window.
“I love you, Avery. I love you so fucking much.”
No doubt it was just my addled brain conjuring up fantasies, but I have to be sure. I have to know.
I push through the double doors leading to the waiting room, scanning the empty seats until I finally see him. He’s leaning forward, his hands clasped, his handsome face twisted with worry. My heart bursts with affection, and I make a beeline for him.
“Hey there, cowboy,” I say, unable to hold back my smile.
He looks up, and his face glows with relief as he jumps up from his chair, pulling me into a tight hug. I melt into his embrace, beaming against his chest as he rubs my back.
“Fuck am I glad to see you,” he murmurs into my ear. “I’ve been losing my mind in this damn waiting room.”
I pull away from his hug and beam up at him, my gaze roaming his face from his gorgeous green eyes down to his soft lips and full beard. My perfect cowboy.
“I’m okay,” I tell him, resting my hands on his shoulders. “The doctor says I have mild whiplash, but everything else is fine.”
Hunter lets out a relieved sigh. “That’s so good to hear. Thank God.”
He plants a kiss on my forehead, and I press my body against him, drawing back when I see him wince slightly.
“Are you okay?” I ask, a pang of worry stirring in my chest.
He nods. “I’m fine. Don’t worry, the doctors already checked me over.”
“And they gave you the all-clear?”
“Yeah. My chest hit the steering wheel when I braked. I was trying to avoid crashing into the back of the Jeep, but nothing’s broken. Just bruised.”
I nod, hugging him gingerly, careful not to press too hard against his chest. But he pulls me tight against him anyway, burying his face into the crook of my neck.
“I heard that they’re going to arrest Edmund,” he says, his voice muffled against my skin. But still, I can hear anger hardening his words.
“Yeah. For kidnapping and traffic violations.”
Hunter grunts. “Prison is too good for him. I want to kill him for doing that to you. Fuck, when I think about what could have happened…”
“But it didn’t happen,” I tell him firmly, pulling back to look at him. “I’m okay. I’m safe. And now I never have to worry about Edmund again.”
Hunter nods, swallowing hard. “I’m so sorry, Avery. I wish I’d been there.”
“It’s not your fault. None of this is your fault, Hunter.” I reach down and grab his hands with my own. “This is all on Edmund. Nobody else.”
Hunter looks at me, his eyes full of affection. “You’re right. I don’t want to give that asshole any excuses. But still, from now on, I’m always going to protect you, Avery. I won’t let anything like this happen again. I promise.”
His words reawaken a memory. Again, I can hear his voice from the other side of the car window, promising to look after me.
“Hunter,” I begin, heat rising to my cheeks, “when I was trapped in the car…when you were talking to me…”
His eyes widen a little. “Can you remember that?”
“Some of it,” I admit. “But I don’t know if I’m just imagining things. You said something important, but I’m not sure if it was real or not.”
Hunter’s eyes burn with intensity as he says, “You mean the part where I told you I loved you?”
