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The nurse offered him a small smile. “Sorry. I don’t have that kind of power. But I can tell you everything looks good, and hopefully the doctor will be in shortly to spring you loose.”
He mumbled a quick thanks then closed his eyes, wishing the bright florescent bulbs overhead could be dimmed. Anger continued to swirl inside him. Not only had someone invaded his sacred space and trashed it, but he’d been blindsided. Taken down without even catching a glimpse of the asshole who’d hit him.
“Cade?”
The sound of Laura’s quiet, hesitant voice opened his eyes. He jolted up in bed and winced, bringing his fingers to touch the back of his head.
“Don’t move.” Laura hurried into the room, Jude and Brooke behind her.
A beat of excitement pushed down the nausea creeping up his esophagus, quickly replaced by embarrassment. As happy as he was to see Laura, this was the last place he wanted her to see him. Laid out on a hospital bed after being ambushed.
The thought was like a punch in the gut, bringing with it memories of another ambush. Another situation where he’d been caught off guard and others had paid the ultimate price.
Shoving those memories as far to the back of his mind as he could, he gritted his teeth and swung his legs over the edge of the bed.
Laura rested a hand on his shoulder, locking him in place. “Should you be moving? Are you all right?”
“I’m fine,” he snapped, then cringed at his harsh tone when Laura’s eyes widened. He blew out a long sigh to steady his nerves. “I’m sorry. I’m just tired and pissed and not feeling that great.”
“We’ll give you guys some space and wait in the lobby,” Brooke said. “I’m glad you’re okay, Cade. Is there anyone you want me to call?”
He pinched the bridge of his nose. Only the night before he’d sympathized with Laura when she’d been scared and hurting in the hospital, not wanting to call anyone to be with her. Now he understood her position. Alerting his family would only worry them.
Besides, the only person he wanted to see was already here.
“Nah. I can grab an Uber home or something. No need to alarm anyone.”
Laura frowned, the V between her light brows deepening. “An Uber? Seriously? No way. We brought two vehicles. Brooke and Jude can drive back to my place—no need to stick around and wait—and I’ll take you home.”
“Are you sure?” Jude asked, taking a step inside the room. “We don’t mind waiting.”
Laura glanced over her shoulder and nodded. “I’m sure, as long as it’s okay with Cade.”
Cade forced a tight smile for Jude. “A ride home would be great.”
“Okay,” Jude said. “But both of you be safe or I’ll stick to your sides like glue from now on. Call when you leave, please.”
“Don’t count on coming home to those chocolates. They’re calling my name.” Brooke hooked an arm around Jude’s shoulders and led her out the door.
Laura waited for Brooke and Jude to leave then turned back toward him, worry shining bright in her blue eyes. “What happened?”
“When I got home, the place was a mess—broken into and wrecked. I grabbed my phone to call Deputy Wells and someone hit me on the back of the head. I woke to Deputy Wells and EMT’s pulling into my driveway.”
“Oh my God.” Laura’s hand went to the base of her throat. “Things could have been so much worse. Whoever was in your house could have killed you.”
The crack in her voice squeezed his chest, and he pulled her to sit next to him. Her knee brushed against his, tightening his stomach muscles. “But they didn’t. I’m okay. Just a little sore.”
She wiped at her eyes. “Sorry. I know you’re fine, but the thought of what could have happened is really scary. Or maybe it’s just these stupid pregnancy hormones.”
He captured her hand and squeezed, stopping her words. “Hey. Don’t ever apologize for how you feel. Not around me. Besides, I might hate that this upset you, but it’s nice to know you care.”
“Of course I care,” she said, her gaze locking on his.
A shudder stole his breath. What was he doing? He’d fought his feelings for Laura for so long, but he was tired of it. Tired of telling himself she was off limits. Tired of telling himself staying away from her was better for them both. Tired of telling himself loving her was wrong.
A hammer of truth pounded against his already tender head. He loved Laura. Had for years. And dammit, if nothing else, the last couple days had shown him how much he wanted to have her in his life. And as much more than Matthew’s little sister. No matter what his friend thought.
“Knock, knock. Mind if I step in?”
