“She’s improving.” Shelby speaks softly. “We are going to wean her off sedation tomorrow.”
“What?” I sit up straighter.
She nods, giving me a soft smile. “You look tired. You need to rest.”
“I’m sleeping just fine,” I lie.
“Go home tonight, Cole. Get a good night’s sleep.” She pats my shoulder. “And come back tomorrow because the hard part isn’t over. She’s gonna need you now more than ever.” Then she exits the room, leaving Austin and me alone.
I get up, walk over to the side of her bed, and grab her cold hand. I lean over and run my busted knuckles down her bruised cheek, avoiding the tape that holds her breathing tube in place. “I’m not leaving, sweetheart.” Then I lean down and kiss her forehead.
CHAPTER EIGHT
DEKE
COLE: THEY’RE WEANING HER OFF SEDATION TOMORROW.
I read the text from my best friend while I stand on the porch of Becky’s parents’ house. And smile. Finally, some good news.
Me: That’s great news!
Becky has been ignoring my texts for three days. She even ignores me when we’re up at the hospital, so I decided to show up here where she can’t run from me. I ring the doorbell again after a few seconds and put my cell away.
I see a small figure walking up to it through the stained-glass double doors, and I smile, expecting to see Gretta, their housekeeper. But when it opens, it’s Becky’s younger sister. “Hey, Demi.”
She stares up at me. She has the same ice blue eyes that Becky has, and just like hers have been the past few days, they are narrowed on me. The kid hates me. Not sure why. When I asked Becky about it, she said just to ignore her and that she hates everyone.
“What do you want, Deke?” she asks, crossing her arms over her chest. She wears a white tank top and dark gray yoga pants with her blond hair up in a messy ponytail. She looks like she just walked out of a gym.
“I’m here to see Becky.” I cross my arms over my chest as well.
Demi doesn’t look intimidated in the least. She lifts a brow, her lips thinning.
“May I come in?” I ask when she just glares at me like if she does it long enough, I’ll go up in flames.
She spins around, and mumbles, “Whatever.”
I lick my lips and enter the house, making sure to close the door behind me. “Will you let her know I’m here?” I call out.
She continues walking away from the grand foyer, lifting her right hand to throw me the finger.
“Okay then.” I take the stairs two at a time and knock on her bedroom door.
“I said not right now, Demi …” She yanks the door open but stops when she sees it’s me.
“Hey,” I say gently.
She has her blond hair up in a high ponytail, and my Hollywood Undead T-shirt on that I got at the concert the guys and I went to last summer with a pair of skinny jeans and pink high heels. My cock instantly hardness. She knows what it does to me when she wears my clothes.
“What do you want, Deke?” she demands, before looking out in the hallway to see if we are alone. Her arms cross over her chest, and those big blue eyes narrow on me—just like her sister. Both Holt women seem to hate me today. This house is like a motherfucking ice castle—cold. “Or should I call you Evan Scott?”
My jaw tightens at her sarcasm. “You know my name is Deke.”
“I’m not sure what I know anymore.” She shrugs.
“Becky …”
A noise to my left has us both turning to look, and we see Demi coming up the stairs carrying a bottle of water. She looks at her sister and then at me before she walks right past us with her nose up in the air.
Becky grabs my arm and yanks me into her room, slamming the door shut behind us. I take that as an invitation and step into her. She stiffens. Placing my hands on her hips, I pull her to me. My hard cock straining against my jeans.
“Deke,” she warns, feeling it.
I lower my head to her neck and inhale. Her scent of strawberries hits my nose, and I bite my tongue to keep from moaning. I love it when my clothes smell like her. My bed. My car. I love knowing she was there. With me. All mine.
“Well, let me remind you it’s me, baby.” My voice is rough, and my cock throbs. I wish we were alone. I’ve fucked her in this room so many times before, but since I know Demi is in the room right next door, I won’t.
“No.” She shoves me away, and I go willingly. I honestly didn’t come here to get between her legs. Although that would be a bonus. Or her mouth. “Who the fuck is Evan Scott?”