Chapter 7
REBEL
He woke up.
Oh my God, he finally woke up.
It’s been three weeks since he’d been shot and nearly died. The doctors kept telling me that he’s improving daily. To me, it didn’t matter what they said. I needed him to wake up and tell me he’s okay. Only then I’d believe their prognosis.
“I’m putting you where you belong, Rebel. Right here next to me. It’s where you’ve always belonged. Now quit rebelling against me. You’re mine, Duchess.” Rogue’s words run circles in my mind as I lay with my head against his good shoulder.
Did he hear me talking to him?
The thought of him actually hearing what I’d been saying is mortifying.
From the time I’d stepped foot into the hospital, I’ve not once left his room.
No matter how many times others had tried to get me to, I refused to leave his side.
Cy had ended up going to the store and buying me some leggings and a few tank tops.
The fact my cousin brought me Rogue’s hoodie means everything to me.
I remember Rogue telling me he always keeps one in his saddlebags on the bike.
Cy had also bought me some stuff I could use in the shower attached to Rogue’s room.
Laying here next to him, I finally allow myself to drift off for the first time, knowing he’s going to be okay.
I don’t know how much time passes before someone touching my cheek gently pulls me from my deep slumber.
Eyes fluttering open, it takes a moment for me to realize where I am.
When I do, I nearly fall off the side of the bed.
I’d have definitely ended up on my ass if not for Rogue’s arm holding me to him.
The door to Rogue’s room opens, and the doctor comes into the room frowning. “Ms. McAlister, you do realize you are not supposed to be in a patient’s bed unless you are the said patient,” he chastises.
Great, just what I need.
“I don’t know who you are, but if I want my fuckin’ woman next to me, then that’s where the fuck she’ll be,” Rogue states, his tone definitely not happy at the way the doctor is speaking to me in front of him.
“Xander, it’s okay,” I murmur, bringing his attention to me as I sit up and climb off the bed. “He’s right.”
“Rebel, I ain’t about to have you sitting in a damn chair looking like you haven’t slept in a month while I lay here. You know that isn’t me,” Rogue says, narrowing his gaze on me before switching his focus to the doctor, not giving me a chance to respond.
Sighing in frustration, I take my seat next to Rogue and grasp his hand. Rogue’s doctor—who I might add has been nothing but an ass toward me from the get-go—clears his throat. “How are you feeling today?”
“Just peachy.” Rogue grinds out. I guess he’s already picking up on the doctor’s attitude.
“Well, that’s good. I’m Dr. Kornberg,” he introduces himself and looks to Rogue’s chart.
“When can I get the hell out of here?” Rogue demands. I know he’s always hated hospitals.
Dr. Kornberg looks down his nose in disdain. “Sir, you’ve been in a coma for the past three weeks after nearly dying due to two gunshot wounds. You are lucky to be alive today.”
“Right, so, when the hell can I get out of here?” Rogue asks again, interrupting Dr. Kornberg.
“Sir,” Kornberg sputters, “I’m sorry, but you aren’t going to be able to leave just yet.”
“Look dickhead, I’m not stayin’ here,” Rogue declares. “I need someone to take care of me, fine, I get that, but I’ll do that at home where I’m sure my doc can show respect to my woman.”
Oh boy, this doctor has pissed Rogue off more than I thought he could’ve.
“Xander,” I whisper his name, bringing his focus to me. “Stop being hard on the doctor. I shouldn’t have been in bed next to you. You know this. I—”
“Duchess,” he says, glaring at me. “Are my brothers here?” I nod my answer to keep from snapping at him. “Do me a favor, go get them for me. I’m getting out of here and going the fuck home.”
Giving Rogue a glare of my own, I stomp to the door. I don’t miss the smirk he gives me as I open the damn thing, leaving him alone with the doctor.
In the hallway, I let out a sigh of relief.
Rogue’s awake. He’s going to be okay. I walk down the hall feeling lighter than I have in the past three weeks.
However, a new worry hits me. Where do we go from here?
Rogue keeps calling me his woman. But am I?
Can I really be? I wasn’t lying when I was talking to him while thinking he was asleep. I’ve never overcome my trust issues.
Stepping into the waiting room, I find Axe and Cy sitting there drinking coffee. “You didn’t bring me one?” I ask, gaining their attention.
Cy grins and nods to one that’s sitting next to him. “You were asleep. Didn’t want to wake you. How is he?”
“Awake,” I murmur, moving for the to-go coffee mug he has for me, finding it still warm—thankfully. “He wants to see you.”
Cy and Axe nod and look at me when I don’t start back to Rogue’s room.
“You coming?” Cy asks, quirking a brow at me.
“I’ll give you both a chance to talk to him without me. I’m sure there’s stuff you wanna talk about without me in the way,” I say, sitting down and pulling my phone from the pocket of the hoodie. “Plus, I need to check on things at my office.”
“Right,” Cy says, narrowing his eyes. “Don’t be long.”
“I won’t.” Nodding, I pull my feet into the seat and curl my legs up to my chest and wait for them to leave.
Soon as I know they’re both down the hall far enough, I look at my phone and find Grant’s name. We might’ve stopped sleeping together, but that doesn’t mean he’s still not one of my best friends.
Touching the call button, I bring the phone to my ear.
“Rebel,” Grant answers on the second ring, “Are you okay? I haven’t heard from you in almost a month. What the hell is up with that?”
“I’m sorry,” I whisper as tears slip down my cheeks. When I’m not at work or have my shield up, as Grant calls it, I’m an extremely emotional person. I can cry at just about anything. Shoot, I cry at Christmas every time I hear the song “The Christmas Shoes.” I can’t help it.
“What’s wrong?” Grant demands, “Where are you? Do you need me to come get you?”
“No, I don’t need you to come get me. I’m okay,” I murmur. “I just needed—”
“Sweetheart, I know you’re not okay. I can hear it in your voice. What’s going on?” This is why Grant is my best friend. He knows me better than anyone else.
“Rogue,” I sob, unable to say anything further.
“What did he do? I’ll kill him if he’s hurt you,” Grant snarls, coming to my defense.
“No, he—he didn’t,” I utter through the tears, and tell him everything that’s happened.
Grant quietly listens to me. I don’t leave anything out.
Not even the part about coming home to Rogue in my room and us ending up having sex.
“I don’t know what to do, Grant. I’m scared. Truly scared when it comes to him.”
“Rebel, sweetheart,” Grant says soothingly. “I can’t tell you what to do. You know I told you, you needed to figure things out with him. But what you also need to do is stop letting your mind make every single decision for you and allow your heart to do some of the work.”
“I don’t know if I can,” I murmur, my breath hitching.
“You can. All you gotta do is trust him. I know for a fact Rogue’s in love with you and will fight for you if he has to.
Stop looking at everything through lawyer’s eyes and start seeing through the eyes of the woman you are.
As much as I don’t want to admit it, you are meant for him just as much as he’s meant for you. ”
Oh God, Grants going to make me cry again. Dammit.
“Thank you,” I whisper, wiping the tears from my eyes.
“No problem, sweetheart. I’m always here for you. Now go be with him, and I’ll talk to you later.” Grant hangs up before I have the chance to say bye.
Pulling my phone from my ear, I let out a heavy breath and stand. I can do this. Or at least I hope I’m able to do this.