Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 132962 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 665(@200wpm)___ 532(@250wpm)___ 443(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132962 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 665(@200wpm)___ 532(@250wpm)___ 443(@300wpm)
Chapter 50
Cody sat on the side of the bed, wincing as his older sister, Sheila, tugged a T-shirt down over his head and pulled the material over his arm. “Stop being such a baby.”
“I was fucking shot yesterday. Can’t you be a little gentler?” he winced.
“It’s your own fucking fault. You’re too damn big. Who needs all this muscle? No one. It’s a stupid double extra-large shirt,” she chided, not paying him any mind.
“Mitch likes it,” Cody tossed out, then immediately began to blush.
“I bet he does. You didn’t tell me things got so far along. He was a wreck waiting to hear from the doctor. He cried in the waiting room. It was kind of sweet.”
“It sort of all just came together this weekend.” Cody smiled, sliding his feet into the flip-flops she’d placed for him on the floor.
“He sure is a good-looking thing. I can see why you’d be so into him. So what happens now? Are y’all going to keep living so far apart?” she asked, going to the other side of the bed.
“I don’t really know. He said he could move here.” Cody blushed, eyeing her as she slipped a hand between the mattress and the rail. “What are you doing?”
“Dad left this for you. I didn’t think you’d remember. You’re really good at looking people in the eye and coming off like you listen.” She pulled a pistol out.
“Hey! Be careful with that.” Cody took the gun, checked the safety, and kept the Glock pointed away from both of them. With the gun still in Cody’s hand, Dr. Knox entered the room, then his mom and dad. Mitch trailed behind them. Everything faded away as their eyes connected. Mitch looked exhausted, but perfect, and when he smiled at Cody, his body stirred, even under the influence of all the pain medicine.
“You shouldn’t be leaving today,” Mitch said, bypassing everyone as he came closer to Cody.
“What happened?” Cody gasped when he saw Mitch’s busted lip and the bruises on his handsome face.
“Let’s just say I pissed off the bad guy.” A sheepish grin spread across Mitch’s face before he winked at him. He still had a hold of the gun as Mitch stalked closer, not stopping until he lifted Cody’s chin with his thumb and kissed his lips.
“I haven’t brushed my teeth yet,” he warned, knowing the warmth in his cheeks had to be a bright red blush.
“I don’t care. Do you need help into the bathroom?” Mitch asked.
“I already went. Does your face hurt?” Cody gazed into Mitch’s eyes.
“No, and you need to stop worrying about me. This is a small price to pay to get the confession we needed. Besides, you’re the one who got shot and is now trying to sneak out of the hospital early.”
“You really got him to confess?” Cody asked, ignoring the part about his being shot.
“Yep, I did.” Mitch nodded.
“Good job!” Cody lifted his face, and Mitch bent in and kissed him.
“Ahem…” Cody’s dad was beside them, ruining the moment until he realized he was relieving him of the pistol he held.
“I’m glad you remembered this.” His Dad checked the safety on the weapon, before tucking the gun inside the waistband of his jeans.
“You were too out of it, but I saw that look in your eyes,” his father said proudly, whacking him on the back. Cody winced as his shoulder shook under the pressure.
“Dad! That’s his bad shoulder.”
“Oh, Son, I’m sorry. I didn’t think,” his dad started.
“It’s okay, Dad. Is the wheelchair here?” he asked.
“What’s up with you trying to leave?” Mitch questioned. “I think you need to stay and rest another day.”
“He’s hardheaded, Mitch. That’s something you need to know about him before this gets too far. He hardly listens to anyone,” Sheila said at the end of the bed, and all Cody could do was stare at her.
“Is he hardheaded? That’s something I haven’t seen yet.” Mitch laughed.
“Oh my god, Cody. He doesn’t know that when you get something in your head, it’s impossible to remove?” Sheila feigned a look of horror.
“Shut up, Sheila,” Cody shot back, giving her a very clear I can’t believe you right now look. “I’m going home.”
“Back to our house,” his mom confirmed, gathering the few belongings his family had brought to him.
“Not if she doesn’t shut up,” Cody said, and that had everyone but Cody laughing. He struggled to get out of bed, to stand on his own two feet, but Mitch was right there to hold him in place. Cody was determined though—he’d walk out of the place if he had too. He wasn’t staying another second. Between his family and the constant hospital staff interruptions, he needed to go home to get some sleep.
“What about all these flowers?” his mom asked, looking through the drawers, making sure she got everything.
“Give them to the nurses or other patients. I don’t care.” Cody started taking small steps toward the door.
“I’m gonna get you situated at your parents.” Mitch supported his weight by holding his good arm and waist as he walked. “You know, they’re bringing you a wheelchair.”
“I’m fine. Just get the car.” Cody tried breathing deeply through his nose, hoping to manage the pain in his shoulder.
“They have a back way for you to leave. There are a lot of media people out front,” his mom said from behind him.
“Why’s the media here?” Cody stopped, completely confused with why reporters would be interested in him.
“Because you’re a local hero,” Sheila explained.
“You stay away from them. Don’t talk to them at all,” Cody warned his sister. She’d make this into a production and opportunity to push every single product and belief system she had.
“Too bad for you, the family voted me a spokesperson for you. I talked to them last night.” She smiled brightly.
“I think I’ve changed my mind. We might need to go to your house.” Cody looked over at Mitch and his father who stood right beside him ready to catch him if he fell.
“You have an open invitation,” Dr. Knox said from behind Cody. The wheelchair was pushed through the door, and Mitch helped him over to the seat. The team of security was there by the door and that confused Cody. What had he missed over the last twenty-four hours?