He glanced at the nurse in question.
“I think you’re good to go anytime now,” the nurse said. “We released Ollie an hour ago, and he had broken ribs and almost fractured his skull. I don’t see any need to keep you longer.”
Nate squeezed my hand. “That’s great.”
The relief of knowing that I’d be able to leave was fleeting. I’d be going into hiding again, so I wasn’t exactly free to do as I pleased.
“You guys should head to Cameron’s place, grab enough stuff for a week. I’m still working on finding a place for you to hunkerdown until it’s time. I’ll text you the address in an hour or two,” JC explained.
Mom had already gone home, but only after JC had assured her multiple times that I was fine and would be on my feet in no time. That left Nate as my ride. Once I was dressed and outside, the sight of his motorcycle sent a little thrill through me. The ride he’d given me a few days before had been an amazing experience. I was looking forward to riding it again.
“Here you go,” he said, handing me his helmet.
Our eyes met, and Nate held my gaze, a powerful energy crackling between us. “I’m sorry. About before,” Nate said. “I shouldn’t have acted the way I did. If I hadn’t, none of this would have happened.”
A faint smile touched my lips. “It’s okay. I probably didn’t help things, either. I think we both said things we wish we could take back.”
Nate nodded, swallowing hard, and licked his lips. “I don’t even know what I would have done if something worse had happened to you. I don’t even want to think about it.”
Yearning for his touch, I placed a palm on his chest. I could feel the beat of his heart under my fingers. Nate glanced at my hand, then back to my eyes. For the barest second, I felt like a small animal caught in the sights of a predator. Except, it wasn’t danger emanating from Nate. Desire rushed through me, not fear. I could almost see his thoughts churning behind those dark eyes.
“We can see how things go,” I said. “Live and let live. Forgive and forget?”
Nate placed his hand on top of mine and pressed it harder into his chest before shaking his head slowly. “I don’t want to forget, Cameron. I need to remember that some things are worth fighting for. I’ve always run away from what mademe uncomfortable. I don’t want to do that anymore.” Hunger flashed in his eyes.
Butterflies swirled in my stomach, and I nodded. “All right then.” I grinned and put on my helmet. “That sounds like a plan to me.”
Back at my apartment,Nate waited outside while I headed inside to pack. Mom jumped up from the sofa when I stepped inside and rushed over to me.
“How are you,mija?” she asked, grabbing my shoulders and giving me a once-over. “Are you sure you’re okay? I can’t believe they let you out so soon.”
“I’m fine, Mom. Really.”
She pursed her lips, but didn’t argue further.
“Cam!” Gael screeched as he came running from his room.
God, I’d missed him. I wrapped my arms around and squeezed him tight.
“Hey, buddy. How are you?”
“Good.” He grinned. “Mom said you were in the hospital? What happened?”
“Long story. Maybe I’ll tell you sometime,” I said.
“Ugh.” Gael rolled his eyes. “Nobody ever tells meanything.”
Mom shooed Gael back to his room. “Homework, then dinner. Go on.”
Gael gave me one more hug, then trudged back to his room. I followed him down the hall to my own room. Grabbing a backpack out of my closet, I began stuffing clothes and anything else I might need into it. A weird sense of déjà vu descended on me. I’d done thisexactthing a couple days before.
“I don’t understand why you have to go hide again,” Mom said from my doorway. “Can’t you stay here? They arrested that awful man. Shouldn’t you be safe here?”
I stopped digging through my dresser and turned to see her twisting her hands together anxiously.
“It’s only a precaution, Mom.” I hated that I had to be so secretive. “Until, uh, until things get settled.”
“And who is that JC man, anyway?”
