Chapter 31

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

FINN

My heart is racing a mile a minute as Monster’s dad rushes us to the hospital that Monster was taken to after my brother decided to kick him in the head. Information we found out from Monster’s Coach when he called Monster’s parents. I’m beyond grateful that they called me and invited me to travel with them. Aurora is holding my hand in the backseat with a worried expression that matches how I feel on the inside.

“Have you got any more updates?” she asks her mom, who shakes her head.

“Sorry, honey. All his coach has said is that they sent him for an emergency CT scan,” she tells Aurora who sighs.

“Fuck, this waiting game is going to kill me,” she murmurs, and I squeeze her hand.

“It’s going to be okay,” I tell her, even though I don’t know if that’s true. “I’m really sorry this happened,” I apologize for probably the hundredth time.

“Stop apologizing,” Aurora scolds me. “We already told you this isn’t your fault. Your brother is a horrible person, but you aren’t automatically guilty just because you are related.”

I nod, knowing she’s telling the truth, but it still doesn’t take away the guilt. None of this would have happened if Monster wasn’t my boyfriend.

When we finally get to the hospital, we rush to find Monster’s coach, who guides us to the room Monster is in, and the second my eyes land on him, I race to his side, wrapping my arms around him.

“Woah,” Monster says with a chuckle as I crash into him. “I missed you too, baby.”

“I was afraid you were seriously hurt,” I whimper into his ear.

“Nope, just a nasty concussion. I’m not allowed any screen time or bright lights for like a week, so you’re going to have to keep me company,” he says with a bright smile.

“How can you be so chipper after what just happened?” I question him, moving to sit on the side of the bed.

“You missed all the excitement,” he tells me, and I wait for him to elaborate. “The cops were here to take my statement, and I told them I wanted to press charges.”

My brows shoot up. “Donny’s going to get arrested?” I check, and Monster nods but winces from the movement.

“I’m not sure what charges he’ll face, and maybe I’ll have to testify against him in court or something, but what I do know is the University will ban him from playing baseball,” he states with a big grin.

“Wow,” I whisper. “I never thought I’d see the day that Donny would actually have to face consequences for his actions.”

“He lost in a big way tonight,” Monster says.

“I just wish you didn’t have to get injured in the process,” I reply softly.

He grabs my hand and gives it a squeeze. “I know, but I’m fine, so don’t beat yourself up about it, okay?”

I sigh but slowly nod. “Okay. As long as you’ll let me take care of you until you’re back to full function again,” I counter.

“Deal,” he says while bringing my knuckles to his lips to kiss.

“Awww,” Aurora coos, and I chuckle.

“How are you feeling?” Monster’s mom asks.

“Like I got kicked in the head,” he replies, making his mom groan.

“Too bad the kick didn’t make you less of a pain in the ass,” Aurora grumbles, but I know she’s just as relieved as I am that he’s okay.

“You don’t actually want me to change,” Monster counters. “You love me, and you know it.”

“Suuuurree,” she says, drawing out the word. “We can go with that.”

Aurora keeps up the don’t give a shit act for about a second longer before rushing over and giving her brother a giant hug, and I move out of the way to give them space.

“Don’t ever scare us like that again,” she says, her voice muffled by Monster’s neck, but you can hear the heartbreak in her tone.

Monster closes his eyes as he squeezes his sister tight. “I-I’m sorry,” he whispers, his voice breaking a little, making my eyes water with tears again.

“Everyone needs to stop apologizing,” Monster’s dad states. “No one is to blame for this situation except for Donny Martin. Hopefully, the judicial system does its job, and we won’t have to see him for a long time.”

We all nod in agreement and get settled in as we wait for the doctor to discharge Monster.

“You’ll be staying with me for the week,” I tell Monster as his father drives us home.

“Is that so?” he questions with a smirk, and I give a firm dip of my chin.

“It is so. I can keep a better eye on you there and make sure you aren’t breaking the rules. A lot of my professors will also probably give me a pass on classes this week as long as I do the required assessments.”

“That’s probably overkill, but I don’t think I’ll mind spending a week with you,” he says, ending the sentence with a wink.

I roll my eyes and shake my head. “There will be no hanky panky until you get the green light from your doctor,” I whisper into his ear.

“Ugh, now I don’t wanna stay with you,” he whines, and I kiss his cheek.

“We can still cuddle and spend lots of time together,” I remind him with a big smile.

He grips his chin and hums like he’s thinking hard about the decision before nodding. “Okay, I think that will be alright.” I chuckle at his goofiness. “But the second the doc says I’m good, your ass is mine,” he whispers into my ear, and I have to fight back a groan.

“You think you’re being quiet, but I’m right here and can hear every word,” Aurora tells us, making my cheeks heat to a million degrees.

“You’re just jealous,” Monster retorts.

Aurora sticks her tongue out at him, but she doesn’t argue with him, so maybe he’s not far off.

Once we get to Monster’s apartment, we quickly get him packed up for the week before his parents drive us over to my place.

“Thank you for taking care of my baby,” Monster’s mom says to me as they are getting ready to leave.

“Always, I love him and would do anything for him,” I assure her.

“I can see that. I wanted to let you know that I’m very sorry for how your family has treated you. But you have a mom in me now, and if you ever need anything, I’m here, okay?”

Tears well in my eyes, and I nod before stepping forward to give her a hug. “I really appreciate that,” I whisper as she holds me for a moment.

“Okay,” she says, stepping back and wiping away her own tears. “We should probably get going now. If you two need anything, please call.”

“We will,” I promise and close the door behind her, her husband and Aurora.

“You look exhausted,” I say to Monster, who is sitting on the couch with bags under his eyes.

“I feel like I could sleep for a hundred years,” he murmurs, and I tilt my head.

“Come on, let’s get you to bed,” I say, and he yawns before standing and following me to the bedroom.

“Are you sure we can’t fool around a little?” he asks after we’ve stripped out of our clothes to just our boxers. I made sure not to put on my lacy underwear as I didn’t want to tempt my man.

“I’m sure. It’s only a week I’m sure you can live without sex for that long,” I tell him, and he pouts.

“What if I can’t?”

“Then you die, and my inheritance is safely all mine,” I tease, and he chuckles lightly, his eyes starting to flutter shut. “Sweet dreams, handsome,” I whisper as he drifts off to sleep.

As my own eyes shut, there is a smile on my face as Monster pulls me into his arms. This is how I want to spend every night for the rest of my life.