24. Baker

CHAPTER 24

BAKER

I can seehow worried my dad is. I know this is hard for him. He hasn’t been in a hospital since my mom died, and I’m sure this is bringing back memories for him. He’s not looking good. “You okay, Dad?”

He leans down and kisses the top of my head. “I am, son. I’m okay now that I know you’re okay.”

Cassie sobs, and I squeeze her hand. “I’m okay, Cass. Don’t cry, you’re going to get another migraine.”

And she cries harder. She’s apologizing as she ferociously wipes her face with the backs of her hands. “I’m fine. I’m going to get a tissue.”

I release her reluctantly, and she walks into the bathroom. I look at my dad. “You’re sure you’re okay?”

He sniffs too. “Yeah, I’m okay, son.”

Cassie comes back in the room with a box of tissues in her hand. It’s obvious she tried to stop crying, but the damage is done. Her eyes are red and swollen, and she’s squinting, which is a perfect tell that she’s getting a migraine. “You okay?”

She nods, leaning against the wall. My dad looks between the two of us. “I want you both to know that no matter what, I’m your dad. I’ll always be here for you both… no matter what.”

Groggily, I answer him. “I know that, Dad.”

He turns to Cassie, who is crying all over again. He says, “That goes for you too, sweetie.”

She walks over to my dad, and I watch as they hug. She’s so emotional, and it’s not going to help her with her headache. “Has she been like this the whole time?”

My dad blushes. “Well, I sort of panicked, and she had to drive me here. But yeah, once we got here and she found out you were okay, she’s been like this.”

I hold my hand out to her. “Come here.”

She walks to me, holding her hand out. “Get up here.”

She shakes her head. “I’ll hurt your—”

I cut her off. “Woman, quit arguing with everything I say. Please, get up here.”

She walks around to the other side, where I’m not injured, and she gently climbs into the bed. I pull her into my side, and she rests her head on my shoulder and her hand on my abdomen. I kiss the top of her forehead. “Close your eyes and try to rest.”

Dad watches us with happiness on his face. He knows how I feel about her. He may not know exactly, but I’m sure he has an idea.

We’re all quiet when there’s a commotion out in the hall. I tense until I see it’s Brook forcing her way through the door. “What the hell happened? Why did no one call me?”

Cassie raises her head and winces. “I’m sorry. I should have called you, sis.”

She hugs Ryan and looks around the room. “Where’s Mom?”

I shrug because I don’t know, and Ryan looks down at the floor. Cassie’s the one that answers. “She didn’t come. She was in the middle of something.” She raises her head to look at me. “Don’t take it personal. She’s never been the type to be there for people. It’s not you.”

I run my hand through her hair, pushing it off her face. “You don’t have to apologize for her. My three favorite people are here. I’m good.”

Brook threads her arm through Ryan’s. “I get you in the divorce, Dad.”

“Brooklyn,” Cassie admonishes.

She shrugs. “What? We’re all thinking it.”

Luckily, Dad doesn’t take offense and actually laughs. He and Brook talk, and I whisper to Cassie. “You okay? Want me to get you some meds for your head?”

She searches my eyes with shock registered on her face. “How is it you’re hurt, and you’re worried about me? I should be asking you if you’re okay.”

I want to tell her. I want to tell her that I love her and that I’ll always worry about her, but with Brook and Ryan watching us, I don’t. I do squeeze her closer to me. “No matter what—if you’re in my arms, I’m good.”

If anything, she buries herself deeper into my side. “That’s good because I’m not leaving.”

I listen to Brook and my dad talk about her new job. She keeps turning, watching her sister in my arms, but she seems happy about it.

“When can I get out of here?”

My dad laughs. “Well, the doctor said a day or two. I can’t wait to see them try to keep you here.”

I shake my head. “I’m not lying in this bed for two days. There’s no way.”

Dad looks worried. “One day. Let them check you tomorrow and then you can ask to be released.”

I’m about to tell him no when he pleads with me. “Son, please. Will you do this for me?”

I sigh because my dad knows I have trouble telling him no. “Fine. One day. Tomorrow, I’m out of here. You can go on home and get some rest. Maybe bring me some clothes back tomorrow. Do you still have my extra set of house keys?”

Dad nods. “I do. But I’m not sure how I’m getting home.”

“I can get you,” Brook says. “Walker insisted on driving me here, so I can just have him drop you off at home.”

Dad’s eyes light up. “Walker? Is he driving his big ‘Boss’ truck?”

Brook scrunches up her nose. “The white one?”

Dad and I both roll our eyes, and Dad tells her, “Yeah, the white one.”

“Then yeah, that’s what he’s driving.”

My dad seems almost giddy to get to be riding in Walker’s big rig. He comes over to stand next to the bed. “You’re sure you’re okay?”

I gesture to Cassie in my arms. “I’m good, Dad. I promise.”

He leans down and kisses the top of my head and then does the same to Cassie. “You two take care of each other.”

“We will,” I assure him.

Cassie murmurs the same.

Brook comes over next and side-hugs both of us. “See you, sis. See you, bro.”

I hear the teasing tone in her voice and Cassie does too because she sticks her tongue out at her.

Before they leave, I tell Dad, “Can you tell JB and everyone I’m okay, that I just need to rest?”

“I will, son. I’ll see you in the morning. Love you both.”

“Love you,” I call after him.

“Love you,” Cassie says softly and with her voice full of emotion.

We lie here for a few minutes before I ask her, “Do you want to talk?”

Her reply is instant. “No. Can you just hold me, Baker?”

“Yes.” I whisper against her head before I kiss it. I’m not sure what’s coming tomorrow, but I’m going to enjoy having her in my arms tonight.