“I’m not hungry.” I push the fried chicken away. The smell is making my stomach revolt. I’m too damn worried to eat. Or sleep. Or basically function beyond what I’m doing at the hospital.
“True!”
“What!” I snap at her, tired of the badgering.
“You’ve lost weight. You aren’t eating, I don’t think you’ve slept in a week, and frankly, I’m more afraid of my cousin than I am of you. If he sees you like this, it’s going to be my ass. Now fucking eat something!”
Looking down my body, I notice just how baggy my clothes have become, and I know she’s right. All this damn stress and worrying have me a mess.
Sitting down, I grab the chicken I’d pushed away minutes ago, and the stupid doorbell rings. “I’ve got it, you eat,” Lena commands.
I devour the crispy, delicious meat like it’s my last meal and dig in for more when I hear, “you have got to be shitting me,” from the area of the door.
“Who is it?” I call.
“Well, it ain’t for me!” she grumbles, coming back in the tiny kitchen. “Go on, girl.” She tries to hide a smile, but I see it and frown as I get up.
Walking around the corner separating the doorway and the kitchen, I stop dead in my tracks. “Oh. My. Stars.”
I feel faint.
Chapter Nine
Maverick
“Does she do this often?” I question Lena after catching True in my arms. Guess I should have called first.
“No. But she hasn’t been eating or sleeping, so low blood sugar is likely the cause. Not your ugly mug.” She smirks at me like she’s won the lottery.
“Why the fuck hasn’t she been eating?” I growl, carrying my girl to the overstuffed couch my cousin points to.
“She’s been worried about you, jackass.”
“What the hell for? She knew I was going to be out of touch for a while.”
“You told her a month. Week two hit and I think she stopped sleeping.”
“Fuck.” The equipment escort took longer than anticipated, and then we had to set up security around the perimeter of where the school was to be built. Our government didn’t want this to become a regular thing—us delivering shit to rebuild. The assignment was easy as could be, and because of it, my unit was called home early.
“When do you go back, Mav?” The worry in Lena’s voice catches my full attention, and I really look at her. My cousin’s gaze is glued to the woman in my arms.
“I don’t,” I tell her, her silence deafening in the quiet room. “Don’t you have gorillas to attend to?” As annoying as Lena can be, I love the kid, but I want time with my girl now. Even if she is passed out.
“Oh, shut up you jerk. I live here now.” Her tone is smug.
“Not anymore you don’t,” I inform her.
“What? You can’t kick me out. True wouldn’t let you.” I hear her stomp her foot on the ground in true Lena fashion.
“Don’t be so sure,” is croaked out from my lap.
The deepest pools of chocolate honey are staring up at me as I gaze down at her. Full of excitement, confusion, and relief.
“You’re really here,” she whispers. And I was right, the slightest bit of husk, but still incredibly soft.
“Yeah, baby girl, I’m he
re.” Her smile is magnificent. It reaches her eyes and shines bright with her enthusiasm.