KARMA
TAYLOR SWIFT
My head,side, and arm all hurt, but it’s nothing compared to how Luis left me so many times before. When I open my eyes, I’m greeted by Mama and Dani, who tell me that my older brothers are downstairs getting coffee. Mama cries, Dani cracks jokes, and we all try to pretend we’re not in a hospital room.
“Hey, you’re awake!” Chase says as he comes in. He walks over and kisses my head before he sets a cup in front of me..
“If I never see ice again, I won’t be mad.”
“You would, because that’s how you drink your coffee,” Chase whispers as he nuzzles my hair, taking a deep breath in even though I’m sure it smells like a hospital, just like everything else. “And Devin would be really bummed if you never came to one of his games.”
“My brothers want tickets.”
“Already gave them some. They’ll be in our suite, which I’ll have stocked with beer and food. They’ve got hotel rooms and a driver, too, so they won’t have to drive home after.” He flashes me that dorky smile. “Least I could do after they cleaned up the mess at your house.”
“Baby, tickets in the nose-bleeds would have been enough for them.”
“But not enough for you.”
“You two are fucking disgusting. Like, worse than Jamie!” Dani complains as she shoves a burrito in her mouth.
“And you’re not supposed to be eating in here! Not until your sister can eat proper food again.” Chase flips her off and Dani sticks her tongue out at him before Mama smacks her arm.
I reach up with my working arm and stroke Chase’s stubble. Remembering what that feels like between my thighs sends a warmth through my body. If I weren’t on all these meds, and we were alone in here, I just might make a move on this beautiful man looking down at me. He’s staring at me like I’m the only person in the universe. It’s the same look my father used to give my mother. The one I’d hoped someone would give me one day, but gave up on after I met Luis. It’s passion and promises in a sparkling blue bow. It tells me what I knew the day I first met him, but tried so damn hard to fight.
“Ask me again.”
“No.”
I wrinkle my nose and pout. I didn’t expect that answer from a man who rarely ever uses that word on me.
“I want more time, Ren.”
My heart cracks, but I’m confused. “Oh, I?—”
“Not what I mean, Renate.” He presses his forehead to mine and in that moment, we’re alone in the room, even if Mama and Dani haven’t left. “I’m not doing it wrong twice in a row, beautiful. I don’t need more time to think about us. I want more time. I want memories, adventures, and travels. I want them all with you. I want to take my time taking you apart on the balcony of a hotel in Paris. I want you to taste fresh pasta in a hotel in Italy after we’ve fucked on every surface in the room. I want you to dance with me at a club in Germany before we slip off to a back room and you scream my name.”
“What are you talking about?”
“We had time taken away from us, and I want it back. I want every minute back and I’m going to fucking get it. You’ll say yes to me when you least expect it. When we’re ready, we’ll come home, plan a wedding, and start our family. You and me,” he whispers the words, splaying his hand over my belly. “And as many as you want.”
“Wait, did he just?—”
I turn just in time to see Mama smack Dani’s arm again, almost making her drop her food. “Leave them alone,niña tonta.You’re too nosey.”
“Geez, wonder where I get that from?” Dani says under her breath as I turn back to Chase.
“So, what do you say? We heal up, and we leave. Cyn has us set for three months, but I can extend it. Six months. A year. Whatever you want.”
“I can’t leave Mama in that house the way it is. My brothers may have cleaned it, but it needed more than cleaning, Chase.”
“She can sleep at her boyfriend’s place, dumbass. OUCH!”
“Daniella, stop making Mama mad. It’s making me laugh and that hurts.”
“We’ll hire an architect and contractors.” He turns to Mama. “We’ll change anything you want, and while that’s in the works, you can stay with Devin if you’d like.”
“Okay. I’ll go.” I turn his head and rub my nose against his. “It’s not like I have a job.”
