“Shit, he wouldn’t come here and personally oversee them, would he?” Ed asked.
Juliet nodded happily.
He swore he heard everyone groan.
“What’s up with this Reuben guy?” Remy asked. “Everyone seems to be—”
“Don’t say it, man,” Loki said hastily.
“What are you even doing here?” Ed asked Remy. “Everyone else I understand . . . “
“Heard she was getting released today, thought she might need a ride back to the motel. Didn’t realize half the town would be here. Guess you’re in good hands, sugar.”
Georgina didn’t reply. She seemed like she was in shock. Or maybe overwhelmed. This had to be a lot.
“Well?” Kiesha demanded.
“What?” Georgina asked.
“Are you going to tell us who you want to go home with?” Isa asked.
“I . . . well . . . I . . . “
Shit. She looked like she was about to start panicking. Xavier must have sensed it too because he gave everyone a stern look.
“All right, everyone. Georgina needs things a bit quieter at the moment and none of you are providing that,” he told them.
They all looked guilty.
“Sorry,” Isa said.
Juliet leaned up to whisper to O’Ryan again. “Juliet wants to point out that it’s very quiet at her house.”
“I know it is, honey,” Xavier said quietly. “But Georgina is—”
“Going home with me,” Ed interrupted firmly.
Xavier smirked, but didn’t look surprised.
Kiesha frowned.
“No arguments.” Ed gave them all a firm look. “I appreciate that you all want to help. But fighting over her isn’t helping. Thanks for coming down here. Georgina and I appreciate that you all care so much. I’ll let everyone know when she’s ready for visitors.”
He snatched the discharge papers from Xavier, pushed the flowers back onto her lap then slid his arm under her legs and around her back and picked her up.
“What just happened?” Georgina asked. “What are you doing? Why are you carrying me?”
“Hush, we need to hustle before Kiesha thinks to chase us down,” he told her as he led her over to his truck.
“Wait up, I’ll get the door.”
Ed sighed. “Damn it. Not quick enough.”
But at least it was Xavier who’d run out after them. He sent Ed a smug look. Asshole.
Ed shifted her around so he could grab his key fob from his pocket. Xavier opened the door and he deposited her inside then buckled her seatbelt. Then he reached down for the blanket he’d put in the footwell and drew it over her.
Finally, he took the flowers from her arms. “Probably could have just left these in the truck.” He reached over her and placed them in the backseat.