Chapter 47
Madi
“Morning,” Matt and my parents greeted each other as they passed by.
His eyes, now more white than red, softened as he greeted me. “Good morning, Red.” His voice sounded stronger.
So did mine, thanks to the wonders of modern medicine and rest. “Morning, Robin.”
We still needed a few more days before we’d sound like ourselves again, and even longer before we could do anything requiring heavy breathing, but twenty-four hours had made a noticeable difference.
“Shouldn’t you be prepping for surgery?” I asked as he sat at the edge of my bed.
“I have another hour before they knock me out.” He reached for my hand. “You sound better this morning.”
“Too bad I don’t look better.”
“You’re beautiful. Did your dad tell you about the surgeon?”
“Yes? Did you really tell him you’d pay for it?”
When my parents told me Matt had insisted they find the best surgeon to treat my face so I’d have minimal scarring, I’d thought it was a morphine-induced hallucination.
It was too much. Too grand a gesture, even after our declarations of love.
There was no denying the reality when the surgeon visited me this morning to discuss my treatment plan.
He laid out a detailed plan that included tension reduction via the subcutaneous stitches he’d add, and using surgical tape to reduce the pull normal movement made on the external stitches.
Ninety minutes later, he was done and I was back in my room.
“Thank you.”
When I coughed, I no longer sounded like I was hacking to death, though it still sounded unpleasant.
Matt nodded as he reached for my water cup. “Drink.”
After soothing my throat, I said, “Why?”
“First, I love you no matter what you look like.” He brushed a few strands of wayward hair off my face. The tenderness of his touch soothed my nerves.
God, I need a shower. My hair was oily and still reeked of smoke.
“Hey, where’d you go?”
“I must smell awful.”
When his laugh turned into a cough, I told him to drink.
“I hadn’t noticed. My new smoke-scented aftershave must be overpowering it.” His joke lightened the mood.
We sat for a few seconds in silence.
“Why’d you do it?” I asked again, barely above a whisper. Unlike Blake and Nathan, Matt wasn’t wealthy, and paying a top-rated cosmetic surgeon to come on demand had to cost a small fortune.
“It’s not because I care if your face is scarred, so remove that thought from your brilliant head.”
It had crossed my mind, even after my father explained Matt’s reasoning.
He leaned down and kissed my temple. “God, it feels good to do that for real.”
It really does.
“I’ll pay you back.”
“You’re in for a rude awakening if you think I’ll accept your money.”
“But—”
“Will it make you feel better if I tell you your father insisted on sharing the cost?”
My eyes flew open.
“Kept that part to himself, did he?”
“He did, guess he wanted you to have all the credit.”
“Or to take all the heat.”
The EKG beeped through two heartbeats while he waited for me to respond.
Maybe he expected me to argue, but I no longer felt the need.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Matt.”
“Yeah?”
“Can I come see you after your surgery?”
His smile lit up his tired face and put a sparkle in his dark brown eyes. “I’d love that. But only if the nurse approves it.”
“Does it still hurt?”
“A little, but only because the morphine is wearing off.”
“You should go, get relief.”
“Nah, I’d rather stay with you.”
“Matthew.” I squinted as I realized I didn’t know his middle name. “Robinson. Don’t you dare sit here in pain just to see me.”
“You should listen to her,” my dad said as he walked in. “You’ll have plenty of time together after you’re discharged.”
“Thank you, Dad.”
“Madi, your mother and I talked about it, and we’re moving you back in with us while you heal.”
“Excuse me?” First off, I was a grown woman; I didn’t need my parents making decisions for me. Secondly, Jamie needed me.
“Sir.”
“Ashley and Nathan are staying with Jamie and Emily to help out so you can heal in peace and quiet.”
“Sir,” Matt tried interrupting again.
“But—”
“Madi’s staying with me,” Matt cut off my protest.
Seriously? It wasn’t bad enough my parents tried making decisions for me, but now Matt thought he could?
Hell no. We’d be over before my EKG beeped out my next heartbeat if he kept that shit up.
“You don’t get to decide where I live.” I held up a finger to silence them both while I sipped my water so I could continue yelling without a coughing fit. “Neither do you.” I pointed at my dad.
“Madi, it’s for your own good.”
“I appreciate that you have my best interests at heart, but for once will you please just listen to me.”
It was an order, not a request.
Dad’s left eyebrow lifted.
What could I say? I’d learned from the best.
Dad ran his hand through his hair, which I swear had more gray strands in it now.
Because of me. Maybe I shouldn’t argue.
“Where would you like to stay?” Dad asked.
“I haven’t thought about it, but I’d like it to be my decision.”
“Okay, but you should know Jamie plans on evicting you.”
I doubted that, but it made sense for me to move out. “I can’t add to his workload.”
“Madi, will you at least consider staying with me?” Matt asked.
I’d already decided I would, but because he tried telling me first, I wouldn’t let him off the hook that easily. “I’ll consider it.”
Apparently, I sucked at lying while on pain meds because his cocky grin was back.
“You do that. And while you’re at it, think about the fact that you’ll be able to help me change my nasty bandages.”
I laughed. He always made it so easy for me to give up the fight. “Fine, but only because you need me.”
Dad laughed. “Well then, now that you’ve decided, I’ll let Jamie and your mom know.
“Thank you.”
Matt pulled his phone out of his sweatpants pocket. After reading his text, he turned to my father. “You called Shane?”
“He’s listed as your emergency contact.”
Matt shook his head in disbelief. “He’s on his way here?”
“He is. I sent AJ to pick him up.”
Matt’s voice hitched when he thanked my father.
“It’s the least I could do, Son.”