CHAPTER22
Suzette finally woke up for the last time around one, just in time for lunch; I was going to force-feed her if I had to. Her I V was just about done anyway; time to let dad do his thing. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes with a big yawn and a stretch. Damn, she'd lost way too much weight. At least my ass was still intact. What? So I might've copped a feel or two. It was a whole week and a half since I had any. That was a long dry spell for a guy who never went without.
"Gage?"
"Yeah?" I was absently playing with her hair the way I usually did.
"Are you, are we...hmm." She bit her lip in that way that drove me fucking nuts; I know she wasn't doing it to get me all riled up but damn, I had no control over that shit. Like Pavlov's fucking dog, I followed that action until she released it.
"Are we okay?"
"Uh, no." The fuck? I gave her the crinkle brows like she was stupid; how could she even think that shit? Did she think because she had me by the balls, I was a pushover? She knew me better than that.
I eased her out of my arms and got off the bed; time to put some distance between us.
"How could you even think that?" She started that sniffling shit again, but I was determined this time not to let it sway me. I knew lying down in that bed was a huge mistake. Fuck.
"I don't know, I...I guess you're ready to talk?"
I didn't even bother to answer that shit, but first things first.
"We need to get you something to eat. I'll be right back."
I left without waiting for an answer; I really didn't want anyone else going in that room before we had a chance to talk, but I knew that was a lost cause, what with her fucking brothers and father here. As soon as they knew I was out of the room, they hightailed it there. I got some fuck you looks, but I didn't give a fuck. Assholes wanted me to take care of her, so I am.
Mom had some soup ready. Apparently, dad said that was the way to go. I ladled some in a bowl to take back to my patient and was ready to retreat.
"Wait a minute Gage not so fast. How is she? "
I tugged on my hair, looking for patience.
"I don't know yet, mom. She just woke up; her color's a little better, though."
"Oh, okay, that's good. Did you two get a chance to talk?"
"Working on that right now." I kissed her cheek and made my escape.
I don't know what the convo was about when I walked back into the room, but at least those fucks had the good sense to head the fuck out, but not before a parting shot from Joshua.
"Watch yourself."
The fuck, what the fuck was up with them blaming me for this shit? That fuckery was getting old real fast; I didn't even acknowledge his dumb ass.
I closed and locked the door after putting the tray across her lap. I wanted to dive right into the conversation, but she needed to eat; she was going to need her strength for this.
She ate sparingly before putting the tray aside and wiping her mouth. I don't know what the fuck happened between her eating and wiping her mouth, but I was fucking pissed again. All the anger I had held in check all morning resurfaced like a fucking geyser.
"Did you fuck him?" Fuck Maddox, you're one suave motherfucker, aren't you? Fuck off, conscience; I'm running this show. Fuck I was crazy.
"No...I didn't; I didn't, I promise. She damn near flew off the bed to get to me, but I backed away. I saw what that move did to her, but I couldn't let myself care. She'd fucking gutted me, and I needed her to know that that shit wasn't just gonna go away.
She started shaking again as she grabbed for me. Her heart was knocking against her chest so hard I thought it would break the fuck out. She was crying and shaking and headed straight for a panic attack. Fuck, how could I fight with her when she was like this? It was like kicking a kitten.
"Ssh, ssh, it's okay, it's okay, I believe you ssh, come on now."
I thought I was gonna have to sedate her, but she eventually calmed down enough for me to seat her on the bed.
I stood in front of her with arms crossed over my chest. Okay, Maddox, like a motherfucking Band-Aid.