Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
Carson had no idea where he was or what was happening when he forced his eyes open to a room full of people and activity and beeping. A lot of beeping. How could he make that stop?
“Hi there, Carson. How’re you feeling?”
His tongue felt huge, his lips wouldn’t move to form words, and he’d never been so thirsty in his life.
The nurse ran a sponge thing over his mouth, which was the best thing ever.
“Do you hurt anywhere?” she asked.
Did he? Not that he could tell. “Happened?”
“You were stabbed and had five hours of surgery.”
Stabbed. What? “No… narcotics…”
“Your family was here and told us you’re in recovery. We’re managing your pain without narcotics.”
“Cresley.”
“Who?”
“Cresley and Ty. Safe?”
“No one else was hurt in the incident. I’ll let your family know you’re awake. They’re very eager to see you.”
He tried to remember what’d happened, but the last thing he recalled was kissing Cresley. “Need to see Cresley.”
“I’ll tell them.”
Exhausted from the effort it had taken to speak, he closed his eyes and sank back into blissful oblivion. The next time he woke up, his parents were hovering by his bedside, looking as if they’d survived the apocalypse. He couldn’t figure out why. What was wrong?
It took a second to remember he’d been stabbed and had five hours of surgery.
“Oh thank God.” His mother smoothed the hair back from his forehead the way she had when he was little. “Thank God you’re going to be okay.”
“You gave us a hell of a scare, son,” Corbin said gruffly.
It was surreal to see them standing together in a united front, as if they hadn’t waged a decade of war against each other once upon a time.
“Cresley…”
“She’s safe. Julian and Isla took her to the rental where Isla had been staying. The LAPD is still looking for Beckett.”
Marlon Beckett.
The lights had come on in the backyard.
He’d gone to find out who was there, and Beckett had stabbed him.
Twice.
He remembered now.
“It was him.”
“We know, son. There’s a manhunt underway in the Hills.”
Lot of places to hide out up there.
“The guy who was watching…”
“He never saw Beckett. They figure he scaled a fence and came in the back way.”
“Tell Cresley…” He closed his eyes. “I want to see her.” She’d be blaming herself, and he didn’t want that. It wasn’t her fault.
The next time he opened his eyes, Julian and Griffin were there, hovering like a couple of old ladies. The thought made him smile.
“What are you grinning about?” Julian asked.
“You two. Like a couple of old harpies.”
“Shut up,” Griffin said. “You’ve put us through hell.”
“Aw, you do love me.”
“Never said we didn’t,” Griff said.
Julian put a hand on Carson’s left shoulder, as if he needed to touch him, to believe he was really still there.
“I’m okay, you guys.”
“Scared the shit out of us,” Julian said.
“Where’s Cres? Is she coming? Need to see her.”
“Yeah, she’s coming.”
“Is someone with her?”
“Anthony is, and the others are close by.”
“Don’t let her go anywhere alone. And keep someone with Ty.”
“We’re on it.”
That much conversation sapped what little strength he had, and he dozed again. Every time he opened his eyes, a different combination of siblings was by his bed. Gillian and Kaidan. Jordan and Ethan. Jackson and Roman.
“What’re you doing here?” he asked Roman.
“Duh, you got stabbed. I came home.”
“Go back to school. I’m fine.”
“Nice to see you, too, asshole.”
Carson grunted out a laugh and discovered that was a bad idea. “Don’t make me laugh.”
“Where’s Cresley?”
“On her way,” Jackson said. “She’s bringing Ty because she’s afraid to leave him.”
“Good. I want to see him, too.”
“What’s up with you two?” Roman asked.
“Nothing.”
“Right,” Jackson scoffed. “There’s nothing going on, which is why you took a leave of absence from work to stay close to her.”
“Turns out that was a good idea,” Carson said.
“Not so great for you, bro,” Jackson said.
“Better me than her or Ty.”
“Dude…” Roman rolled his eyes. “You’re glad you took a knife for them, but there’s nothing going on?”
How could he explain to them what he didn’t yet understand himself? “Go back to school, Rome. Nothing to see here.”
“Sounds to me like there’s lots to see here. I might stick around for a bit, so I don’t miss anything.”
“Gramps… Did you tell him?”
“Dad called him. He’ll bring him in later.”
“Hope he’s not upset.”
“It’s safe to say everyone you know is upset right now,” Jackson said.
“Sorry.”
“We’ll forgive you, but only because you didn’t die,” Roman said. “If you had, we never would’ve forgiven you.”
Carson licked his dry lips. “Good to know. Go get Cresley and Ty. Need to see them.”
“Should we tell her there’s nothing going on between you guys?” Jackson asked.
“Fuck off and go get her.”
His youngest brothers laughed as they hopefully went to see to his orders.
Bratty little fuckers. He’d kick their asses as soon as he was able to, although, truthfully, they’d been able to take him for quite some time now as they spent way more time in gyms than he did these days.
Maybe they’d give him a break because they were so grateful he’d survived.
Hard to believe he almost died. He could’ve hit the end of the road without telling Cresley…
What, exactly?
She needed to know he cared about her. And Ty. He’d tell her that the first chance he got.
Cresley wouldn’t have come if he hadn’t asked her to.
Facing his traumatized family again in the ICU waiting room had been brutal, even if they’d warmly greeted her and Ty.
Carson’s brothers had introduced themselves to Ty and shaken hands with him, making him feel like one of the guys, which was so sweet.
His parents and sisters had also been kind to them, offering to watch Ty while she went in to see Carson.
“He’s driving us crazy asking for you,” Julian said. “Put us out of our misery.”
“I’ll see what I can do.”
Julian walked her to the room. “The doctors told us it looks worse than it is with all the machines and stuff. He’s been very much himself with us, so try not to worry too much. From what they’ve said, the worst is behind us.”
She nodded, thankful for his warning, especially when she stepped into the room and took in the full magnitude. Her knees wanted to buckle under her, but Julian was there with an arm around her, offering support she wouldn’t have thought she’d need.
“He’s okay, Cresley.”
Carson’s eyes opened, and his face lifted into a smile when he saw her there. “Come here.”
Cresley took a tentative step toward the bed, leaving Julian behind in the doorway. The door clicked shut when he left the room.
“Closer.” Carson raised a hand that was hooked to IVs, a heart monitor and other things. “I’m fine, and this was not your fault. Do you hear me?”
“You’re not fine, and it was my fault.” Tears slid down her cheeks as she took his hand. “I’m so sorry, Carson.”
“We’re not doing that. You didn’t stab me. He did, and we’re keeping the blame where it belongs.”
She dropped her head to his shoulder. “You could’ve died.”
Carson ran the fingers of his left hand through her hair. “I didn’t die, and everything is going to be fine.”
She shook her head.
“Yes, it is. Give me a kiss.”
“I look like the Creature from the Black Lagoon.”
He chuckled. “That’s not possible.”
“No, really. I cried for twelve straight hours.”
“I still want a kiss, even if you’re a slimy lizard now.”
Offering a wan smile, she leaned in to touch her lips to his.
“PS, you’re as beautiful as always.”
“Don’t lie to my face.”
“I never would. Does Ty know what happened?”
She nodded. “I had no choice but to tell him, and he insisted on coming to the hospital last night. He’s in the waiting room with your family.”
“Give me five more kisses, and then you can go get him.”
“Why five?”
“I’d take ten if you were so inclined.”
“Are you using this situation to advance your agenda by any chance?”
“What if I am?”
“You’re shameless.”
“I care about you, Cresley. And Ty. I realized it would’ve sucked if I died before I told you that.”
More tears spilled down her cheeks when he said that. How could she have any tears left? “We care about you, too. I honestly don’t think I’ve ever been that scared before, and I hope I never am again.”
“I’m sorry you were scared and upset. Everything will be fine. I promise.”
His assurances went a long way toward alleviating some of the intense anxiety she’d been carrying since she saw him lying in the yard covered in blood.
“Now, about those ten kisses you were going to give me…”
Smiling at his post-surgical priorities, she leaned over the bed rail and kissed him ten times. “Happy now?”
“That’ll hold me for about half an hour, so you’d better stick around.”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
Carson’s nurse came in to replace an IV bag and check his vitals. “How’s the pain?”
“I’m okay.”
“Let me know if that changes.”
“You’ll be the first to know. My friend’s son wants to come in to see me. He’s a very grown-up seven-year-old who needs to see that I’m okay. Is it all right if he comes in?”
“Yes, it’s fine. I’ll let my supervisor know that there’ll be a minor child visiting. Usually, we require prior approval, but since you’re asking for him, we can make that happen.”
“Thank you.”
After she left, he looked at Cresley. “Will you bring Ty in?”
“I’ll go get him.”
“Make sure you tell him I’m fine before he sees me like this.”
“I will.”
She returned to the waiting room where the Remingtons had gathered. The only one missing was Corbin, who’d gone to get his father to bring him in to see Carson. “Ty, honey, Carson wants to see you.” He was seated between Jordan and Gillian.
He jumped up from his seat. “He said that? He wants to see me?”
“He specifically asked for you.”
A big smile lit up his cute face. “Well, let’s go, then.”
With all of Carson’s family watching every move she made, she took Ty’s hand to lead him toward Carson’s room.
“Before we go in, I want you to be ready for what you’ll see.
There’re a lot of machines and things next to his bed, but he said to tell you he’s fine, and he doesn’t want you to be worried about him, okay? ”
“It’s okay. I can handle it.”
“If you can’t, just let me know.”
“Don’t worry, Mom. I’m tougher than you think.”
“I know you are, but this is upsetting stuff.”
“All that matters is that Carson is going to get better. He is getting better, right?”
“He’s already much better than he was.” She held the door open for him to go in ahead of her.
“Hey, buddy, come see me.”
Ty approached the hospital bed and took the hand that Carson offered him.
“It’s good to see you,” Carson said.
Ty’s chin quivered as he took in the sight of Carson in the bed, surrounded by machines and wires. “You, too. Thank you for not dying.”
“Don’t make me laugh. I’ve got staples.”
“Ew, they stapled you?”
“That’s what they do after surgery.”
Ty winced. “Sorry I made you laugh.”
“I’m teasing.”
“I was really scared.”
“I’m sorry to put you through that.”
“It wasn’t your fault. I’m sorry my dad hurt you. I don’t know why he would do something like that.”
“Cres, can you put him up here with me?”
“Should we do that?” she asked.
“There’s a spot for him right next to me.”
“Kick off your sneakers,” Cresley said before she picked Ty up and gently lowered him to the area on Carson’s left side where there was a bit of space. “Don’t make any sudden moves, pal.”
“I won’t.”
“I wanted to be able to see you better,” Carson said.
“Are they going to give you ice cream in here?”
“I hope so. Otherwise, what’s the point of being in the hospital?”
“That’s true.”
“Will you take care of me when I get out of here?”
Ty’s eyes got very big. “You want me to do that?”
“I do, but only if you have time.”
“I have time. What would I have to do?”
“Fetch me stuff, watch movies with me, read some books, play some games. That kind of thing. You down?”
“I’m down,” Ty said, seeming thrilled to have been asked.
“We can also watch surfing videos to start getting you ready for lessons.”
“That’d be awesome. You can stay in the guest room. That way, I can be right there if you need anything.”
“Perfect.” Carson held up his hand for a fist bump. “Thanks for being such a good friend.”
“You think I’m a good friend?”
“I sure do. I wouldn’t ask just anyone to take care of me after I got hurt. That’s something you only ask your best buddies to do.”
Cresley’s heart was full to overflowing listening to them. A girl could fall in love with a man who treated her child so kindly.
“We should let Carson get some rest.”
“Do we have to go so soon?”
“You can come back to see me again later, buddy.”
“Okay, then. Hurry up and get out of here so we can hang out at home.”
“I’m hurrying.”
Cresley lifted Ty off the bed. “I’ll be back shortly.”
“Don’t keep me waiting too long. I need ten kisses per hour.”
She rolled her eyes at him as she guided Ty out of the room.
“He can stay with us, right, Mom? I probably should’ve asked you before I invited him.”
They’d talked about asking her before he invited his friends to do things. “Totally fine with me.”
“He’s going to need my help.”
“Definitely.”
“I’ll make a list of movies to watch.” Ty loved to make lists and said it was the best part of learning how to write. “How many movies will it take to get Carson all better?”
“Probably at least twenty.”
“Whoa, that’s a lot. I can’t wait to watch twenty movies with Carson.”
“I’m sure he’ll love that.”
“He will, cuz we’re best friends.”
Cresley’s throat closed around a huge lump. “You sure are, buddy.”