Page 45 of When You Became Mine

Mrs. Kelley grasped Piper’s hand in her own as I made my way out of the room, the relief of knowing that Piper was going to be okay warring with the crushing disappointment that she wanted my brother instead of me. Again.

19

Piper

“I’m fine, Mom,” I muttered.

I wasn’t fine. I felt like I’d died and been brought back to life as Frankenstein. Every part of my body hurt. I couldn’t take a deep breath without feeling like I’d inhaled fire. And the coughing. I was fairly sure I had managed to break ribs by hacking alone.

My mother didn’t acknowledge my protest, just continued to fluff my pillow under my head. “Honey, I just don’t understand why you have to be so damn hardheaded all the time. Lawson told me you refused to go to the doctor.” She shook her head, her eyes full of disapproval.

“Of course he did,” I griped.

Mom’s eyes narrowed. “Oh, don’t you get your ass on your shoulders about that boy. If it weren’t for him, you’d probably be dead right now.” The moment the word passed through her lips, she paled, her eyes traveling back nine years.

She was right. If it weren’t for Lawson, who knows how sick I’d be by now.

I groaned, the action making my throat scream in protest. “Mom, I’m sorry.” Mustering every ounce of strength I possessed, I reached for her hand and laced my fingers through hers.

I watched as she swallowed hard and came back to the present. “He’s always taken care of you,” she murmured, rubbing her thumb along the back of my hand.

“Who?” I asked.

“Lawson,” she replied simply.

I didn’t know what she was talking about, but I couldn’t bring myself to argue with her. I was too tired, and she was too fragile. I couldn’t imagine the way she felt, seeing her only living child unconscious in the hospital bed for two days.

She gave a quick shake of her head and pulled her hand from mine, patting my leg. I tried not to wince at the contact. “Honey, I talked to the doctors. They want you to stay another couple of nights.”

I didn’t want to stay in the hospital any longer. “But I’m fine.” I tried to argue.

“The hell you are.” Hampton’s voice rang out from the doorway. “Not a chance you’re leaving here until you’re one hundred percent.”

“Hey, honey,” Mom cooed.

Hampton came in and wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her against him for a quick hug. “Hey, Mrs. Kelley.” He dropped his arm and came to me. “Pip.” His voice was low, his eyes so full of worry it scared me.

“What is it?” I whispered.

He squeezed his eyes shut. When they reopened, they were clear. “Nothing. You just scared the fuck out of me.” He put his hand on my shoulder and bent down, putting his mouth by my ear. “If it weren’t for Law, Pippie, you would have died,” he whispered. “You ever pull some shit like that again, I’ll kill you myself.”

He stood and smiled wide. “Now.” He clapped his hands together. “Talked to Dr. Bills. Your labs all look good, white count is improving, and he’s pleased with your oxygen levels at this point in your recovery.”

I squinted at him. “Dr. Bills is violating a lot of laws telling you my lab results. Maybe I should turn you both in to the medical board.”

Hampton laughed and dropped into the seat beside me.

I sniffed the air. “What’s that smell?”

With a dramatic flair, he pulled a burrito from his pocket and began to unwrap it. “Oh, that’s just my lunch.” He took a huge bite, the rice and beans inside spilling all over his white lab coat. “Damn. I just had this one laundered.”

I glared at him, my mouth hanging open. “You’re a jerk!” I snapped. “I haven’t eaten anything other than chicken broth since I woke up! Why would you do that to me?” My stomach rumbled loudly, right on cue.

Hampton took another bite of his mouthwatering lunch and lifted a shoulder. “Dr. Bills also said you could have solid food today.” He winked, as though he were the one who had pulled a few strings to make it happen.

My eyes lit up. “Do you have another one of those in your other pocket?”

Making a show of patting his obviously empty pockets, he shook his head. “’Fraid I don’t, Pippie.” He held the last remaining bite out to me. “Want the rest of mine?”

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