Beholden (The Belonging Duet, #2)(25)

“Ass,” I reply before the doctor can give him a chance.

“I don’t know that it’s against the best interests of your healing as much as it’s against the best interests of aggravating her.” They smile and look over at me.

I take a measured breath before releasing it. “I think you should tread careful there, darling,” I say sarcastically.

“Let’s take a look at your stitches and how everything’s healing, shall we?” The doctor quickly intervenes and Jackson gives me a coy look.

Dr. Flores is happy with how his incisions are healing.

“Any questions?”

Jackson speaks first, “I want to know when I can start working out again?”

“Jackson, it’s been a few weeks since the shooting. I know you’re anxious, but it’ll be up to your physical therapist.”

“So that’s never. What about other activity?” Jackson’s smirk is evident and so is his meaning.

Dr. Flores chuckles, “You should be cleared for other activity as long as you don’t get crazy.”

I blush and look at Jackson as the grin spreads across his face. “Wasn’t waiting for that all clear, Doc.”

“Most patients never listen to that one.” He grins and I want to die.

This is the most embarrassing conversation I’ve ever had. The rest of the appointment goes on without any further blushing. We’ll return in another few weeks and at that point he should only have to go to physical therapy.

“Are you going in to work?” Jackson asks on our way back to the apartment.

“I should. I have a lot to take care of.”

My phone rings and it’s Ashton.

“Hey,” I say answering the phone.

“Hey, I’m in the area of your office. Wanna grab lunch?” she asks.

I look at Jackson and he smiles apparently hearing her through the line.

“Maybe I can swing it. I was heading in to work anyway.”

“Oh, did you actually take a day off?” her voice rises in surprise.

Why does everyone think all I do is work?

“No, Jackson had a few appointments and I wanted to talk to his physical therapist. According to Captain America over here, he was able to start walking without his cane.” I look at Jackson with narrowed eyes. “It appears someone wasn’t very forthcoming.”

“You only heard what you wanted to hear,” Jackson speaks up.

“Ahhh, well, just tell him you’ll make him watch the awful dance movies you’ve forced me to watch.”

“You liked them,” I scoff.

“Uh huh, sure I did. Okay, so lunch?”

“I wish I could but I have to make up all the work I’ve missed.”

I hate this. I miss my friends, but right now my life has taken a different turn and I need to focus on Jackson and my job.



“Taylor, do you have the files for the Raven account?” I call out while looking for the paperwork I had ten minutes ago.

“No, it was on your desk last I saw,” she says as she approaches my desk. “Did you bring it downstairs when you saw the design team?”

I groan and my head thumps on my desk. “I swear I can’t even think anymore. I’m losing my mind.”

“Are you sleeping at all? You know I say this with all the love in the world, but the bags under your eyes are ready for vacation.” Taylor smiles and plops in the chair while I glare at her.

Sleep. Well, there’s a concept. Between Jackson’s night terrors and the amount of work I’m trying to get done, I barely get three hours a night.

“Being out of the country has put me behind a little. I’m trying to catch up.”

The sad part is as much as I get done at night when he’s sleeping, I usually spend another three hours during the day fixing it because none of it makes sense. I feel awful because I don’t see or spend any time with Jackson. I’ve been staying in the office till after seven and then I get home, eat, and he usually passes out early because of the medication.

“Well, you have to take care of yourself too,” Taylor chides and stands. “Why don’t you head home early? Maybe you can take some time with your sexy sailor man.” She gives me a sideways glance and winks.

I lean back in my chair looking at the stacks of papers and orders. I have most of the big stuff done. It’s little tasks, which I can give to Taylor to get done easily. The excitement builds at the idea of going and surprising Jackson. We could lay on the couch, watch a movie, I could grab lunch from Little Italy, or take a nap. I grab my bag without allowing myself to back out.

“I’m leaving. Don’t call me unless the building is on fire—even then just grab the important stuff. There’s a stack on my desk of orders I need you to check on. I’m taking a mental health day. We have a week until the launch, so … bye!” I smile as she gives me a knowing look.

“Go. I’ll get it all taken care of,” Taylor responds as I’m practically running to the elevator. I feel free and weightless. Giddy with excitement to have some time to not worry about anything. When I exit the office doors onto the streets of New York I feel the wind whip my hair, and I smile. It’s like one of those cheesy commercials where you want to stretch out your arms and spin around. I can breathe and allow the sun to warm my face instead of fighting over why he shouldn’t be trying to hop around and use the damn walker.