36 #2
“At least she knows a few good contractors.” Trystan gives us all a small, smug smile as he stands to stretch.
Brynleigh sits down next to me, and we throw our arms around each other and just cry.
I am sure that I look beyond a puffy mess.
The night of the storm had felt like this.
The uncertainty had had us in a chokehold.
But today? Today was way worse. I feel a kinship with her, and I look forward to having her as a sister.
I’m so thankful I’ll still get that chance.
Mark’s mom and dad wrap their arms around me, and it feels like an extension of home.
“You know that we are so happy you’ll get to officially be one of us, but know that no matter the outcome of today, you already were considered one of my girls,” Mark’s mom whispers to me, eyes glistening from shed and unshed tears.
“Gianni and I are going to head home so you can be with him. Please message me after he wakes, and be sure to give him a hug from me. We’ll come visit tomorrow. Bye, sweetheart.”
I nod, emotion lodged in my throat, preventing me from stringing together a coherent sentence. They walk over to Brynleigh and give her a hug.
“Are we taking you home?” Nora asks.
“I’d like to stay for a while longer. I’ll catch a ride with someone here.”
“I’ll make sure she gets home, Mr. and Mrs. Marcketti,” Trystan butts in. I feel Brynleigh stiffen slightly next to me and wonder what that’s about. She doesn’t say anything though.
“Thank you, Trystan. You’re such a good friend to my kids. Mark’s lucky to have you. All of you, really,” Nora says with a soft smile, patting his forearm while holding back a threatening wave of fresh tears.
“We all feel the same way about him,” Trystan answers warmly.
A short while later, Brynleigh and I are sitting quietly by Mark’s bedside. The doctor said it could be a couple of hours before he’s fully conscious. He’s started to wince and stir in his sleep, making little movements that make us think he’s starting to wake up, but nope. Nothing comes from it.
It’s almost five o’clock when Mark’s eyelids flutter open a little before slamming shut again. I almost think he’s faking us out again when his forehead scrunches like he’s in pain.
“Ava?” he whispers, barely loud enough for anyone to hear. I choke back a sob, because of course this man wakes asking for me. He’s worried if I’m okay. I squeeze his hand tightly as I scoot my chair closer to the bed.
“I’m here, baby. I’m okay,” I stutter out, swiping happy tears from my cheeks with my free hand. His features remain scrunched up.
“Don’t try to move much, bud. You had surgery, and it’ll hurt like a bitch,” Trystan states.
“Already does,” he grits through his teeth.
“I’m on it,” Trystan says, already striding for the doorway.
“Thank you, Trystan,” I say, just loud enough for him to hear.
“I’ll let everyone know he finally woke up,” Brynleigh declares, pulling out her phone.
“Brynnie’s even here?” Mark almost smirks, and Brynleigh flashes him a little glare. Her lips still turn up at the corners, even though she hates it.
“Glad to see you still have your sense of humor. We were all here. I guess you are quite the popular guy.”
“I’ve got good friends.”
“Yes, we do,” I whisper back, squeezing his hand and hoping he’ll open those pretty hazel eyes soon. I need to see them. I bet he has one hell of a headache from all the anesthesia.
A pretty brunette nurse strolls in with Trystan in tow. He looks like a man on a mission, and this Kayla chick looks like she’d happily take orders from him.
“Well, it’s good to see you awake, Mark. What’s your pain on a scale of one to ten?” she says, signing into the computer. She already has meds with her, so I’m assuming she knows his answer already.
“I’ll give it a solid eight for the headache. I’m too scared to move anything else.”
“That sounds about right. I probably wouldn’t try to move much until this kicks in.” She inserts a syringe into his IV line. Within a minute, Mark’s furrowed brow begins to relax a little.
“Starting to take the edge off?” Kayla asks, and Mark holds up a thumb.
“Good deal. I’ll let the doctor know you’ve woken up.
I’m not sure yet when he’s making his rounds.
Let me know if you need anything. Don’t let the pain get intolerable before saying something.
We want to help you stay on top of it if we can help it.
” Kayla sets the call button within his reach and eyes me in silent communication to let her know.
I nod back in understanding. Apparently, this isn’t her first rodeo with men thinking they can handle it.
I haven’t dealt with Mark at this level of pain before, so I’m not sure what kind of patient we’re dealing with here.
Super whiney Mark, super macho Mark, or super give-me-all-the-shit Mark.
Mark’s eyes finally begin to peel open once the effects of the medicine allow him. Trystan helped by flipping off the main lighting. Just the semi-warm glow from above his bed illuminates the room. When his eyes land on me, my breath hitches in my chest.
“Ava, what’d the doc say about holding your breath?” Trystan snickers, patting my back to snap me out of it. Again. That man pays too close of attention to…well, everything. It’s annoying. “On that note, Bryn, you ready to head home, or you want to go on a walk?”
“Take me home. Err, I mean, drop me off at my home,” she answers quickly.
I scrunch up my face, wondering what that reaction is about, just as much as some of her earlier reactions toward…
Trystan. Just him. Not anyone else in our group.
Hmmm. I’m not about to call her out on it in front of Mark though.
Trystan looks slightly amused, and Mark looks oblivious.
That’s probably a good thing since I have no clue what is even going on here.
“Ted’s out of the picture now, right, Brynnie?” Mark questions, even though his eyes haven’t left mine. He’s eyeing the side of my face with a scowl. Yeah, I bet it doesn’t look very pretty right now. I’m a bruised and swollen hot mess.
“Yes, we’re over. I didn’t get a chance to fully end it because of what all happened, but I’m going to make it all very clear soon.”
“Good. You deserve more,” Trystan says quickly. I can’t read the look between the two of them, but it fades as quickly as it began.
“Agreed,” Mark states. “Thank you both for staying with Ava til I woke up,” he adds, dismissing them politely.
“Talk to you soon, Marky,” Brynleigh quips. I’ve never heard her refer to him that way. It’s cute in an annoying sister duty kind of way.
“Love you, Brynnie Mae.”
Bryn blows a kiss his way before eyeing Trystan who holds a hand out to say, ‘lead the way’. She stiffens slightly before walking briskly out of the room. The door clicks shut quietly, leaving Mark and me in silence.
“Crawl up here, Bella. I need to hold you.” His tone leaves no room for argument as I open my mouth to say it’s not a great idea with his belly.
He quirks a brow that says not to challenge him.
I slide cautiously next to him, reaching down to grab the extra blanket at the end of the bed to cover us, but mostly to cover my wounded leg.
He noticed though, and his jaw ticks with anger.
“Look at me, and tell me everything.” His eyes mist over as he runs a thumb carefully over my jaw before skimming my bandaged thigh. I blow out a shuddery breath, tears gathering with the memories of this morning.
“Are those from him?” he whispers, and I nod my head. “Did Colin stop him?” I shake my head. Mark lets out a little strangled sound from his throat. “I tried to make it to you,” Mark closes his eyes, pain and anger seeping from his words. “I’m so sorry.”
“I fought back. He hurt me. I can’t deny that.
I’ll have bruises, a sore scalp, and a stab wound…
” I freeze, wishing I’d left that last one out.
“But, I fought back. He made a mistake and left the baseball bat within reach.” The words tumble out of me, but not any of the right ones because he looks like he’s about to lose his mind.
A pained whimper leaves his lips, and I place my hand on his chest to calm his erratic breathing. “I stopped him.”
“You stopped him?” he asks, eyes widening.
“I saw my chance and knew it was my only option. I didn’t hesitate. I swung that fucker as hard as I could.”
“Please tell me you knocked that motherfucker out and that they had to wheel his ass out on a gurney.” His eyes widen. “Fuck, is he here?”
“They had to carry him out in a body bag, Mark,” I answer, bile threatening to come back up as the memory of the sound his skull made when the bat made contact hits me.
Mark freezes, searching my eyes and pulling me close. Tears stream down my face, and he shushes soothing sounds against my hair while I just let it all out.
“I hate that any of it even had to happen, but damnit, Ava, I’m so fucking proud of you! You’re so strong, baby.”
“You tried to die on me.” I sob harder against his chest.
“I heard you tell me that I couldn’t leave.”
“I’m pretty fucking mad at you.”
“As soon as I can, I’ll make it up to you.”
“I know it’s irrational. You didn’t get stabbed on purpose,” I say, sniffling and wiping snot.
I feel him smile against my forehead. “But I’m still fucking mad.
You don’t get to walk out on me. Never.” I sit up and grab a tissue, blowing my nose and looking gloriously hot with my mussed hair, puffy eyes, snotty nose, and bruised face.
“You know, I think you’re adorable when you’re pissed at me. The minute that fire flashes in those big ol’ eyes, I’m a goner. My dick agrees.”
I could smack him. Joking like that right now? How dare he almost die on me? Aaaargh…
“Marcus…”
“Firecracker, I’m never going to give up on us.
Not until my actual dying breath, and even then, I’ll still be with you.
You’re stuck with me. I’m going to live to annoy you for the rest of our days then haunt you for the rest of yours.
You’ll never get rid of me. I’m gonna set up camp.
The minute you relax in a bath thinking you have a second of time to yourself, I’m going to be peeking around the corner…
” Mark rambles, fighting a suppressed giggle.
“Okay, okay, okay… I get it. You’re never leaving. You’ll even perv on me in your ghost form someday. You’re annoying as fuck.” I smirk back at him, not truly annoyed anymore. He accomplished his goal.
He sighs, voice filled with victory, and claims my lips with his as he gives a small chuckle. “It’s funny how much my definition of ‘never’ has changed this year.” He nuzzles my nose with his, and it warms my heart.
“Hmm…funny that. I never woulda thunk it.”
Soft laughter and the taste of Mark fill my heart and soul, and I’m thankful for this man who I thought I’d never hold again.
This man I thought would never steal my heart like the thief he’s proven to be.
He makes me furious and wrecks me in the best ways I never imagined were in the cards for me.
To think that I used to look at him and think, ‘uh-uh, never’.
Now I look into the eyes of my never and instead see my forever.