Out of Love (The Switch) by Ruth Cardello

Author:Ruth Cardello [Cardello, Ruth]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Montlake
Published: 2022-10-03T18:30:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY

SCOTT

I began to wake. My still-fogged brain flooded with memories from just before I was shot. I was back in the restaurant, where Monica was earnestly telling me why she had trouble opening up to people. I was in the car with her again, hearing her tell me to get out and wishing I knew what to say to convince her that I was on her side. I was on the ground, looking up at her as she held a jacket to my wounds and wondering how it was possible to fall even more in love with someone while in so much physical pain.

It took a moment to figure out where I was. I remembered not knowing how to react when the EMTs thought I was Jesse. I decided to not correct them. I remembered being surprised that rich people don’t arrive at the hospital the same way normal people do. A dispatcher had radioed the ambulance and instructed them to avoid the usual entrance. Still on a gurney, I was whisked through a side door, down a long hallway to an elevator, then up to a private medical suite. Not room.

I hadn’t known those existed.

I didn’t have time to appreciate it, though, because there was a blur of medical staff. Someone told me to start counting backward. From what number? That was my last thought before everything went black.

A hand closed around mine. “Scott?” My eyes fluttered, then opened.

I croaked, “Mom.”

Her smile was teary. “He’s back with us.”

“I told you he’d be fine,” my father said in a hoarse voice.

“Did they—did they take the bullet out?” I asked.

My mother ran her other hand over my forehead. “No need, it went clear through you. You lost a lot of blood, but they sewed you up and say you’ll be fine.”

I nodded—not a good choice, because it made my head pound. “Did they catch who shot me?”

My mother looked over her shoulder, then back down at me. “There’ll be time later to talk about that. Your brothers are here. Now that you’re awake, we’ll step out and let them in.”

“My brothers?” As far as I knew, I had one. “I’m not a triplet, am I?”

My mother chuckled at that. “Jesse and Thane. Thane has been here the whole time. Jesse brought Dad and me. They both love you.”

“They’re here. Good.” I guess. Even though I wasn’t ready for the conversation I needed to have with them.

From behind her, my father added, “LJ said he’ll be by later. He’s watching the farm in case we need to stay the night.”

“Tell him I appreciate that.”

My mother gave my hand a final squeeze. “We’ll be just outside with your girlfriend. I don’t think she was prepared to meet Dad and me this way, but I can see what you like in her. I gave her the biggest hug. I hope that won’t scare her off.”

“Monica is here?” I moved to sit up.

“Easy, son.” My father put a hand on my good shoulder and blocked me gently.

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