“He’s too young. He’s all I have left of you. I can’t lose him too.”
I didn’t know much about comas, but I had to assume that if I could hear and have thoughts, I wasn’t brain-dead. That had to be a good sign, right? Maybe my body just needed a minute to heal.
That’s the hope I clung to as the people I loved suffered.
“Hey, man.”
This time, it was Jenner’s voice that broke through the darkness.
My captain let out a heavy sigh. “I don’t know how to tell you this, but Gemma’s a fucking mess.”
Was he trying to rip my heart out?
“She needs you to fight your way outta this.”
You think I don’t know that?
“She refuses to leave your side to take care of herself. She’s not eating. And the bags under her eyes would suggest she’s not sleeping. The girls have been taking turns washing the three outfits she stuffed into a duffle bag the one time she went home, and only because your mom was here.”
Jenner cleared his throat before continuing.
“She, um . . . She told the staff here that she’s your wife.”
My ears perked up. He sure as hell had my attention now.
“Maddox thinks she’s full of shit.”
Typical.
“But she’s got a rock sitting on her left hand. Looks pretty fucking real.”
That news had my world coming to a screeching halt.
She’s wearing the ring? Holy shit, this is huge!
You’re in a coma, remember? Her wearing that ring means nothing if you don’t wake up.
“I won’t be mad if you snuck off behind our backs and tied the knot. I know what it’s like to get caught up in love. And if you’re not married? Then you better lock that girl down the minute you open your eyes because she’s as devoted as they come.”
That’s the plan, brother.Just been waiting for her to get on board.
“You’re never gonna believe this,” Maddox began. “But I’m some poor kid’s dad.”
Bristol had the baby? How long have I been out?
“Everything went perfectly, but it was still the most stressful fucking day of my life. It was like being transported back to those early days of coaching, where I was stuck behind the bench, with my hands tied, being so close to the action but unable to help in any way that truly mattered.” He chuckled. “And you know what I kept thinking the whole time?”
No. What?
“That you would have been completely unruffled standing in my shoes. You’re always so cool under pressure, and I could’ve used a little bit of that when I was freaking out on the inside. Then, I was handed this small, helpless little human, and it scared the living shit out of me that they were completely dependent on me. You’re such a natural with kids. I bet you’re gonna make a great dad someday.”
That’s the dream.
“We had a boy.” Maddox’s swallow was audible, and his voice grew gruff. “Kittridge Sasha Sterling.”
Good thing I was already lying down because that would have knocked me on my ass.
“We’re gonna call him Kit.”
