34. Carson
CHAPTER 34
CARSON
My mind whirled.
Who the hell is Gunnar?
I was sure Roman thought the conversation he had outside the door had been private, but the door hadn’t closed all the way, and now every word played in my head. Blood surged through my veins, but unlike when Roman kissed me, this had zero to do with lust.
Not unless bloodlust counted.
I didn’t know who this guy was, or when they’d been together, or for how long, but I’d be damned if I lost Roman and Margot to a fucking pediatrician. No matter if the guy’s job would be a damn sight better fit for them. They were mine. If that little girl got another Daddy, it was going to be me, dammit.
The door shoved open a few minutes later, and my nurse rushed into the room, “Well, at least you look okay.”
Ignoring her, I asked, “When can I get up from here?”
“You were put to sleep and had a nerve block. It’s going to be a few hours. If you need the restroom…”
“I don’t need to fucking piss. I need to get up outta this damn bed. I have shit to do.”
“One, there’s no need to be an asshole. And two, you cannot put weight on that leg until the drugs are out of your system and the physical therapist signs off on it. So even if I let you up out of that damn bed, you wouldn’t be able to do any of the shit you say you need to do.”
“Fine. Find me my team.”
“Your team?” she asked.
I swore under my breath as someone knocked on the door. I craned my head to see who was at the door.
“Let me get that for you, ma’am.”
The door swung open, and a fucking GQ model decked out in an Air Force uniform walked in, holding food containers. My guts churned. This had to be the guy. Tall. Dark. Perfect features, and if I had a fully functioning cock, I’m sure it would’ve stood at attention. Not that I would want it to.
Rage rolled through me like fire, heating my blood yet again.
“Carson!”
Margot’s voice yelling my name filled me with joy, and the anger faded away. Somewhat.
Margot rushed to my bedside but ran to the other side when she saw my leg. She climbed up beside me gently. I pulled her into a tight hug, staring down the asshole at the door. He might be beautiful and able to walk around on two legs at the moment, but he needed to understand his place. And it wasn’t fucking here. Even laid up in a hospital bed, I still knew a dozen ways to kill a man, and if this one didn’t get the fuck out of my sight, I would gut him like a trout.
Or maybe I could field-dress him like a deer. I could leave his rotting carcass strung up as a warning for all the other suave, gorgeous fuckers out there who might get a hankering for what’s mine.
“Hey there, princess.”
I kept one eye on the asshole as Amelia turned to him, taking the food he held. I didn’t have to worry about ignoring Margot because she turned to the door when her grandmother thanked the prick.
“Thank you, Captain…”
“You’re very welcome, ma’am. And it’s Gunnar Sorenson.”
Amelia’s face hardened.
“Well. Thank you, Captain. We’ve got it from here.”
Amelia took the containers from him. She must’ve started cooking hours ago because Roman hadn’t been gone from my bedside for more than ten minutes. She set down the food, then came to my bedside, elbowing the nurse out of the way and kissing my forehead.
“You, young man, gave us all a fright.”
She combed her fingers through my hair as I stared at the man who wanted my place in Roman’s life. The jackass finally got the hint and left.
Good riddance.
“Well, I’ll let you visit now that your heart rate has settled.” the nurse said as she followed him out.
“You done any more Amelia Earhart impersonations, princess?”
“No!” she giggled.
The excitement she felt couldn’t be missed. And as gentle as she’d been when she climbed up next to me, that energy refused to be contained when she spoke. Her sweet, little girl voice was loud, high-pitched, and flew at you like a slew of angry hornets.
“How are you ladies doing?”
“I’m good. Nana made you food, so you’ll get better faster. It always helps me.”
Amelia and I smiled at her.
“I’m glad. Hospital food is yucky.”
“Margot, why don’t you get your stuff out and draw Carson a picture.”
“Yeah!”
She slipped off the bed and went over to the small table next to the chair in the corner where Amelia must have placed her backpack. Kneeling down, she pulled out boxes and books and set to work. She hummed a familiar song, but I couldn’t place it.
“He isn’t anything to worry about.”
I was sure my eyes widening in shock gave me away, but I said anyway, “What do you mean?”
“The doctor. He’s nothing to worry about.”
“Why would I worry about the doctor?”
“Because you want Roman for yourself.”
I swallowed. I’d come out to two people. Brock and Roman. How the hell did she know?
She patted my arm. “My son’s reaction to you last summer and again in Newport, notwithstanding, because you’d have to be blind as a bat not to see how you feel about each other. The utter devastation when the news reported y’all missing told me all I needed to know.”
“My parents…”
“Won’t hear a word from me. Who and when you tell your truth is your decision.”
Sighing, my eyes closed, blocking her out as the relief her words gave me flooded my system, washing away the fear. Now that I knew Roman felt the same way I did, or rather that we were on the same page, I would tell my family, but the when and how, I wanted to pick. I also wanted to do it with Roman by my side.
If he was willing.
Then, we had to figure out how to live our lives together—in secret.
Hopefully, it wouldn’t be for very long. The DADT hearing had taken place, and the bill had been introduced. We just had to wait for it to pass.
Amelia sat next to my uninjured leg, drawing me from my thoughts.
“How are you really?”
“I’m okay. Or I will be. I’ll be out of action for several months, but I should return to active duty before the end of the year.”
“Good. I’m glad to hear it. Now, it’s time for logistics. I talked to your mama and daddy before coming over. They are heading to your house as soon as I tell them you’re heading home. They’ll stay with you until you can get around on your own.”
I started to protest, but she held up her hand, “Don’t give us any lip. It’s your right leg, so you won’t be able to drive for a bit. You need someone to help you get around.”
“My buddy Adam is on medical leave and lives nearby.”
“And what happens if he gets released for duty? Hmm? You let your mama take care of you. She nearly lost her baby boy. And don’t you dare say she’s got a few to spare.”
I smirked at her. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Good boy. Now, let’s get you fed. You’re skin and bones.”