Rush (Carolina Bad Boys, #5)(42)

“You’re right, Shiloh.” Her mom slid forward and framed her daughter’s face in her hands. “You’re right. You have every right to make your own decisions. You always have.” Her voice broke, and she sniffed. “We worry about you so much, darling.”

Shy hugged her mom while Mr. Lockhart looked on, a damp sheen making his eyes glassy, just like mine.

Pulling away, Shy laughed huskily. “I think the drugs make me a little bitchy.”

I bit back a chuckle, recapturing my hold on her hand.

“Well”—Justine drew out a tissue and dabbed at her eyes—“we always called you spirited.”

Thomas’s eyes crinkled. “I thought the term was willful.”

“Okay. You can’t dredge up my teenage years now.” Shy fidgeted with the sheet, folding and refolding it with her fingers.

“Actually, I’d like to hear all about the rest of those years.” As long as mine were off the table.

“You’re terrible.”

Pretending her parents weren’t watching, hawkeyed, I slipped my hand up her arm, around her neck, and brushed our lips softly together.

“You can remind me of that later,” I murmured, drawing away with a quick lick to her mouth.

She appeared even more flustered, sexy, cute . . . in a hospital bed. All the tension between her parents and me had diverted my attention from the facts of the matter I still wasn’t clued in on.

I leaned back. “So, what’s the verdict on your infection?”

“This isn’t a courtroom.” One of her fair eyebrows arched high.

“Shiloh’s infection was caused by a slightly ill-fitting suction socket on her prosthesis. It got into her blood, and she had a reaction to the first antibiotics.” Justine kept her steady eyes on mine. “They switched the prescription, and her fever’s gone down. We’re just waiting for Dr. Haines to give her a final check.”

Shy let out a long sigh, apparently so over listening to her personal, medical details recited right in front of her.

I twisted back to her once I got the lowdown on her condition.

Fuck. Her condition.

Still looked like the same woman I’d left—naked and sated on her couch—late two nights before.

Except for the silky headscarf she’d wrapped over her short, wavy hair to take the place of her usual fashionable wig.

“I wish you’d take this off.” I swept my fingers over the tied scarf, watching her duck her face.

And that wouldn’t do.

I brushed my lips against her ear, breathing out, “Already told you I like your new hair, and I like all of you exactly as you are.”

She patted her head doubtfully before beginning to unwind the scarf. “I’m still shy about the way I look.”

I chuckled from deep in my throat, quickly filling my fingers with her softer than soft waves. “Well, you’ll always be my Shy. But not like that. Not ever with me.”

She peeked up at me, placing her hand on my stubbly jaw. “Maybe not so terrible after all.”

“I know it’s not the color her hair used to be, but look at me? I have to pay hundreds of dollars at the salon to get highlights like this.” Mrs. Lockhart winked conspiratorially at me. “I don’t like her hiding what she’s been through either. And how much stronger she’s grown from it. Her work with Sinclair Chatham, has she told you about the donation, Max?”

“God, Mom . . . Stop. Please,” Shy grumbled.

This was the most bizarre scene, and one of the most touching moments of my life. I wondered if I could get to the box of tissues without anyone noticing.

Her parents weren’t all that bad after all.

But Brodie freakin’ busybody Steele sure was.

He shoved his head inside the door after rapping on it. “Hey, Shiloh. You doing okay?” Before she could reply, he stepped into the room. “I gotta cut out, Handsome.”

His eyes looked brighter than usual, and he kept glancing at his phone.

“What’s up?” I asked.

“Ashe. She’s here. In labor.”

My mouth probably plopped open. “Isn’t it a little early?”

“Seems so. She’s saying it’s my fault for telling the baby to hurry up so I can meet it.” He grinned, his body virtually vibrating. “The OB’s got it covered. Baby Steele on the way, my man.”

“Where’s Cara. Do you need—”

“Nah, nah. You take care of Shiloh here. Nick and Cat picked up Cara.” He opened the door to leave like his feet were on fire.

“Wow, man.” I crossed over to hug him fast and hard. “Wow.”

“I’ll text you.” Brodie disappeared down the hall in a flash.

On the cusp of fatherhood.

Ashe about to give birth to her second child.

Something Shy might never experience.

I shut the door softly, trying to keep my emotions in check.

“Is Ashe okay?” Shy asked.

“Sounds like it.” I pulled the chair closer to her. “I’m more concerned about you though.”

A few minutes later, a woman who was presumably Shy’s oncologist entered. The Lockharts turned from their whispered conference at the window and greeted her.

I rose to my feet immediately, introducing myself to Doctor Haines. As she carefully checked Shy, I listened intently to all the aftercare instructions and dates for follow-up appointments.