Hetch (Men OF S.W.A.T #1)(101)
“The fact she hasn’t left your side since you’ve been in here says a lot.”
“You picked up on that? Here I was thinking she was sneaking past you nurses every night.” I give her a wink then watch her hide her blush.
“You’re a very lucky man, you know?” She takes off the blood pressure cuff and writes down the results.
Lucky. The one word I’ve been hearing over and over for the last seven days. Lucky I survived the gunshot. Lucky I woke up. Lucky I have such a supportive family.
While I am still trying to work through everything that happened to me, I still feel like luck had nothing to do with it.
More like fate.
“Well, I’ll feel a lot luckier when they let me get out of this place.” As much as I appreciate the whole “saving my life” thing. I’m ready to go home. The visitors, the food, the poking and prodding every other hour, I’m done. Although my neck is still stiff, the pain has diminished to a dull ache, my dizziness and nausea gone, and after no longer dreaming about my father, it’s safe to say my brain is in good working order.
“Well, there you go, getting lucky again. A little birdy tells me you might get your discharge papers today.” She replaces my chart at the end of the bed and starts walking out.
“You’re saying he gets to go home?” Liberty sits up, her sudden alertness way too bright to have only just woken up. The earlier tension I picked up on when the nurse mentioned love, runs through my mind. The little witch has been listening in on our conversation the entire time.
“Morning, Liberty.” Avery laughs at her eagerness but doesn’t comment on it.
“Don’t morning me, Avery. Does he get to go home today?” Liberty turns her puppy dog eyes up at her, her excitement spilling onto me.
Seriously, I love this woman. Not only does she know everyone who comes into my room by first name, she’s become fast friends with most of them.
“Put it this way, if all goes well on Dr. Fenteir’s rounds this morning, you should be able to sleep in your own bed tonight. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have other patients to attend to.” She offers us a brief wave before leaving us alone.
“Oh, my God, honey. You’re going home!” She wraps her arms around my waist, careful to keep away from my neck, and presses her lips to my cheek.
“So you heard, you little faker.” I pinch her side, watching her face light up with a shy smile.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to eavesdrop. I was waiting for her to leave.” Without hesitation, I lean forward and press my mouth to hers.
“Liar.” My lips move against hers in a chaste kiss. The room slips away when her mouth parts and her tongue meets mine first, surprising me and exciting me. I take over the kiss. I devour and savor the first burst of her taste; nothing has ever tasted as good.
This is what I’ve missed the most. These quiet moments where we can just connect again.
“Oh, God, not this again.” My sister’s voice interrupts our morning make-out session, but I don’t pull back, not even when Sterling adds in his two cents.
“Leave them alone, Dakota. They’re like teenagers who’ve been grounded for a month. They have a lot to catch up on.” I might not be able to see them, but I’m betting his grin is as big as my sister’s. It’s all my family and friends seem to do around us lately. Grin.
“Yeah, leave us alone,” I moan against Liberty’s mouth, still caught up in her sweet taste. Who needs pain meds when I have her kisses to give me a high?
“Sorry, can’t do. Mom is outside the door talking with your doctor, and apparently, you might get to go home today. So I’d take your tongue out soon, or you might find yourself grounded again.”
It’s all Liberty needs to pull back and end the kiss.
Seriously, if I'm not released today, I’m going to lose it.
“Can I get you anything else before I leave?” My mom fusses with a throw pillow after tidying up the living room and fidgeting with the remote controls.
“Mom. I told you, I’m in good hands,” I reassure her, but we both know it’s not happening tonight.
“Come on, Mom. We need to go, leave him be. Liberty will look after him.” Kota steps in, trying to move things along.
It’s my first night home in ten days, and after a long, dragged-out day of waiting around for my discharge papers, I’m ready to fall into my bed with Liberty by my side, and finally have some peace and quiet.
“I know she will, darling. I’m just making sure you’re settled.” She fusses some more, tidying up things that don’t need to be tidied.
“Mom.” I step in front of her. “I know you’re worried, but I’m fine. Even if Liberty wasn’t here looking after me, I can handle it.” Me being home is what everyone has been waiting for. Now I’ve been discharged, they’re all starting to hover.
“I thought I lost you, Liam.” Her lip wobbles and her voice shakes. “You’re my son, and I thought you were gone.”
“Mom….”
“No, don’t ‘Mom’ me. You know I worry.” I cut her off with a hug before she starts breaking down in front of me and I never get her to leave. She’s been okay the last week. I think having me in the hospital helped. Now I’m home, I think the reality of the entire situation is hitting her hard.