Chapter 38
THIRTY-EIGHT
NOVA
My skin buzzes with anticipation as I follow the nurse through the maze of hallways in the hospital wing. She checks on me every few seconds, ensuring that I’m still behind her.
“We had to strap him to the bed,” she warns as she slows her strides to walk beside me. “It’s keeping him from pulling out his IV. He may be a little loopy from the pain meds, too.”
I nod, hearing but not listening.
I’ve waited too long for this moment, to be at his side again. My vision is tunneled, and I’ve got a one-track mind.
Get to Aiden.
It’s already been two weeks since the gunshot wound in my shoulder. The surgeon told me the bullet went straight through, thankfully causing very little damage. She warned that I’ll have scars, as if that matters to me. All I care about is being alive and needing Aiden.
It’s been pure hell, wondering if he’s okay.
Madison, Olivia, and Dahlia passed on anything they learned while I was in recovery. Unfortunately, the words they chose worried me more than dampening my concern.
“They’re doing the best they can for him.”
“They took him back into surgery because of some complications.”
“They gave him another blood transfusion.”
“He’s been sleeping a lot.”
“Aiden’s been calling for you.”
The nurse stops outside a closed room and turns her head toward me, her features pinching with worry. “Just keep him calm, okay? We don’t want to restitch him.”
“Okay,” I say.
She raps her knuckles against the door, then opens it while crooning his name like he’s a frightened animal about to dash out of the room. “Hi, Aiden. Look who’s here?”
I rush past her and make a beeline straight to Aiden’s bedside. Tears of relief clog the back of my throat, and I reach out so I can touch him. I stop midway, not wanting to hurt him, and notice Hawk lounging on the chair beside the hospital bed.
Hawk stands and glances at Aiden. “I’ll leave you two alone, but take it easy.”
He walks past me and gives me a sympathetic look, then disappears out the door.
Aiden blinks open his eyes and lifts his gaze to my face. His pupils are blown wide, likely from the pain medicine. Slowly, his lips curve into a drowsy smirk.
“There’s my pretty girl,” he coos, his words slurred together.
His gaze rakes over me and pauses on my right arm, which rests in a sling against my chest. Shadows creep over his features, and his smile falls.
“Is he dead yet?” he whispers.
I check the room to ensure we’re really alone and the nurse isn’t hanging around to listen to our conversation. I take the seat by his bed.
“I don’t know,” I say. “Your friends are tight-lipped about that kind of stuff. Didn’t Hawk talk to you about it? He’s been hanging out in here with you.”
Aiden hums and glances at my sling before turning his head forward. “They haven’t told me much either, other than they’re taking care of it.”
He mumbles something beneath his breath that I don’t catch, then jerks his chin at his arm.
“Get these straps off me. I want to hold you.” When I hesitate, he looks at me with tears in his eyes. “Please, baby.”
I stand and work the straps undone one-handed. It’s harder to accomplish with my non-dominant hand, but Aiden patiently watches and turns his wrist to help. Once they loosen and come free, he leans forward and draws me into an awkward hug, angling our bodies so we don’t injure ourselves.
He cups the back of my head. His fingers stroke through my hair, and he rains kisses over my face before slanting his mouth over mine in a deep kiss.
“I missed you,” he whispers between kisses. “He didn’t touch you, did he?”
“No, Haze got to him before he did anything.” I hook my arm over his shoulder and hold on to him, scared that if I let go, he’ll disappear.
There’s a time to tell Aiden what Brandon said and did. Right now isn’t the time. If he knows Brandon belittled me and held me at gunpoint, he’ll lose his mind and reopen his stitches.
Aiden relaxes and buries his face in the crook of my neck, then inhales.
“I thought I lost you,” I whisper as I fight back the tears.
He lifts his head with a soft laugh and cups my cheeks, his thumb swiping away the straggling tears streaming down them. “You remember what I said about how the Grim Reaper can’t rip me from your side?”
“I didn’t think you were serious about it.” I laugh through the tears and lean into his touch.
His smile tightens. “Neither did I.”
We stare at each other, time lost and unimportant. His gaze sweeps over my face like he’s memorizing me all over again. I shiver as he traces his fingertip over my features.
I can see the gears turning in his mind through his eyes as fear creeps into them. He sucks in a trembling breath before saying, “Baby, I’m gonna be honest with you.”
Shaking, I nod and lean back. I reach for my nape, and Aiden catches my wrist.
“It’s okay,” he murmurs. “Just listen to me.”
My shoulders droop, and I wince from the sting. “I’m listening.”
Aiden slips his palm over mine and threads our fingers together.
He sucks in a shaky breath. “I was bitter about dying, even at the end. I’ve heard stories about people accepting their death before moving into the afterlife.
They think about all the good things they’ve accomplished.
” He squeezes my hand. “All I felt was regret.”
“Oh.” My stomach sours, and I drop my gaze to my lap.
Fingers curl beneath my chin and lift my head, forcing me to look into Aiden’s eyes. His features soften, and he tilts his head as he strokes my cheek with his thumb.
“I don’t regret being with you. Not for a single fucking second.
You were my last thought, and it really put things into perspective for me.
” His hand slips behind my head and drags me toward him until our lips brush.
“It was never pretend for me. Everything I said to you and how I treated you was real. You were mine the whole time, and I wanted you to choose me. I love you so fucking much, Nova. I tried to tell you, but I couldn’t because I was too scared.
And I’m tired of being afraid, because I don’t want to miss another chance to be with you. ”
My breath hitches, and before I can respond, he smashes his lips against mine and plunges his tongue into my mouth, like he’s afraid of what I’ll say.
Since he won’t let me speak, I put everything into the kiss so he can taste my love. The heart monitor’s beeping increases, likely from how nervous he is. His breaths tremble out of him, and a pained sound slips between them. I draw back to inspect his chest.
“I’m okay.” He licks his bottom lip, chasing the taste of me.
I smile and lean forward with my hand braced on the other side of his leg. “I love you too.”
Aiden’s eyes widen, the heart monitor’s beeping increasing. If it keeps climbing, a nurse will rush in to make sure he’s okay. I bite back a laugh at the thought.
“I tried telling you that night,” I say. “You told me not to fall for you, but I did, anyway.”
He winces. “I didn’t think you actually would, but I didn’t want you to know how excited I was about pretending to be your boyfriend.” He wets his bottom lip. “Say it again.”
“I love you, Aiden.” Butterflies fill my stomach, and my cheeks sting from grinning so hard. “And I don’t want it to be pretend anymore. I meant it when I said I want to burn with you.”
His smirk is less drowsy, his eyes clearer. “Then let’s burn together, pretty girl. We’ll make the prettiest flames.”