30. Brooks
30
Brooks
I wake up feeling like total shit. It was a rough night of little sleep in this damn hospital room. I know I deserve it but damn I’m ready to get the hell out of here. I'm ready to see Gemma. She put up a hell of a fight trying to stay overnight with me, but Olivia won and got her to go back to the ranch house and get some rest. I might have to ask Olivia for some tips. She seems to be the only one who can talk sense into Gemma when her mind is made up and she’s feeling feisty.
I shift in the bed and wince. Fuck. Even breathing hurts. I press the call button for some pain meds and to see when I can leave. By the time the doctor makes his way in to check on me I’m antsy and cranky as hell.All he seems to be interested in is hearing himself talk. He may be stuck here all day but I don't want to be.
“Yea, yea, I get it. Don’t do shit, let it heal blah, blah, blah. When can I get the hell out of here?” I snap.
I’m pretty sure the doctor is ready to knock my head off, but I can’t sit in this bed any longer. As he opens his mouth to no doubt tear me a new one, the door clicks behind him, and I hear Gemma clear her throat.
“Ignore Mr. Cranky Pants. He will follow your orders to the T because I don’t plan to give him a choice in the matter. And he will stay here just as long as you need him to so that he can heal correctly.” She glares at me.
I can’t help but smile. Hell, I’m actually pretty turned on by her bossy side. I’m all for her being my bossy nurse when we get home. I may be down an arm, but I can do a lot one handed.Fuck here I go again getting hard because Gemma is in the room. There’s no sense in fighting it anymore but I don’t need the rest of the world realizing it.
“You heard the lady. She makes the rules. I follow them,” I say with what I hope is a convincing smile. Gemma doesn't look entirely convinced. But it must work on him because he starts rattling off my limitations. He hands Gemma a stack of discharge paperwork and reminds her that she has taken responsibility for keeping me in line.
We finally make it into Gemma’s car, and I could not be more ready to get home. Nothing sounds better right now than having my girl, my dog, and my own bed again. Especially when I didn't think I would ever have that first one again. I relax into the seat. I still don't know how my dumbass got so lucky after fucking up that bad.
But before Gemma even puts the car into drive, she turns to me and looks me straight in the eyes.“I meant everything I said in there. I will be making sure you follow the doctor’s orders. You’ve already proven you can’t take care of yourself or make smart decisions. So, you will shut up and do as your told. Got it?”
“Yes ma’am” I reply with a smirk. I could really have some fun with this version of Gemma. Once I can get out of this fucking sling. But once those thoughts start to fade, reality starts to set in.
“Gemma as much as I want you here and selfishly don’t want to let you ever leave again; you don’t have to stay. Don’t put your life on hold because of my dumbass mistakes.”
“You have also proven recently that you don’t have the slightest clue about what I need to do or what is best for me. So, hush your mouth. I will do what I see fit and right now that is to be here taking care of the man I love.”
The man she loves. I will never get tired of hearing her say that.
“This is not the time to discuss heavy things. We did too much of that yesterday. I want to wait til you are healing and feeling more yourself to really get into things." She sighs. "But back home … I wasn’t me anymore. Not the me that fit there. It isn’t my home anymore. Sunflower Springs is my home, Brooks. I know things have been rough and complicated for us and you may not want me here long term but”
The reality of just how badly I fucked up and how horribly I hurt her slams back into me. The only woman I’ve ever loved. I did everything I could to push her away and destroy her. And she came all the way here to take care of me, still believing that I don’t want her. I don’t fucking deserve her.
“Gemma baby, I told you all of that was bullshit. I had to push you away. There was never one second that I didn't want you here. I just didn’t want you wasting your life on me.” I pause to examine her face. I need to make sure she knows I mean what I’m saying. “But you came back. I was horrible to you, and I proved that I don't deserve you and you came back. I will never be dumb enough to throw away a true love like that again. But you're right. I don’t just want you here in Sunflower Springs long term Gemma. I want you here with me forever.”