Torn by A.F. Crowell

know that.”
    “Now you’re gonna worry every time I leave
the house.”
    Sighing, I shrugged. “Okay, so yeah that’s
probably true, but that doesn’t mean that I didn’t worry before. I
love you, Jaxon. I’ll always worry.”
    “Always?” He grinned and lifted his brow
cockily.
    “Yes, always,” I admitted. Softening, my
shoulders relaxed.
    Ever watchful, he saw the cues, and the next
thing I knew he enveloped me in his burly arms and pulled me into
his lap. “I love you, Lei.”
    “Jesus, Jaxon, put her down,” Ashley shrieked
from the doorway. “You’re recovering from gunshot wounds and she’s
pregnant. She doesn’t need you swingin’ her about, dear.”
    “It’s okay, Mom. I feel great. Better than
great.” He let me go, slipped his hands around my jawline, pulled
my face to his, and kissed me like it was the first time all over
again. He took my breath away and I was left standing there, eyes
closed, mouth still partially open, looking like a dork.
    Ashley ahemmed. “Well, Dad is waitin’ for us
downstairs. He had to make some business calls.” Ashley lowered her
voice. “Is everything okay?”
    “Yep, told her everything.” Answering his
mom, his eyes never left mine as he grinned at me.
    Ashley turned to me with a meek smile and
remorse. “I’m sorry I had to be deceptive, dear. I hope you
understand why I couldn’t say anything.”
    “It’s okay.” I nodded. “I get it. I’m not
sure it’s still really set in, but I understand your part in
this…uh, mess.”
    Jaxon attempted to pull his jeans up under
the coverage of his oh-so-sexy hospital gown. Ashley immediately
rushed over to help him.
    “Mom, I think I can manage.”
    “Jaxon, you need to take it easy. Let us help
you.” I frowned at him.
    “Fine,” he grumbled, smiling the whole
time.
    A while later the nurse came in and went over
discharge instructions. She was about to remove the IV when she
noticed it was gone.
    “Don’t look at me.” I feigned innocence and
pointed to Jax. “That was all him.”
    “What? I couldn’t get my shirt on with it,”
he grunted.
    The nurse rolled her eyes, chuckling as she
left the room. All of the nurses had become used to his caveman
antics. Of course, this did not dissuade their flirting or fawning
all over him. Who could blame them? Jaxon was sexy as hell.
    “Jaxon.” He turned to acknowledge me with a
lift of his chin. “We still have to talk about us when we get
home.”
    “You’re right, we do.”
    “And Brody agreed to sit down with us to
clear the air and get on the same page. I’ll tell you what I told
him. Y’all need to get your shit together. I’m not going have you
two fighting like that in front of our daughter. You are grown-ass
men and need to start acting like it.”
    “I agree.” He lifted his bag of clothes and
started toward the door.
    “Oh, and you have to leave in a wheelchair.”
I smiled as big as I could without showing any teeth.
    “No.”
    “Hospital policy, honey.” I walked out to the
hallway and wheeled it in.
    “You’ve gotta be shittin’ me. I’m not ridin’
in that, I can walk.” I could see he was getting aggravated and I
couldn’t help but giggle a little. “I’m glad you think this is
fuckin’ funny.”
    “Jaxon. Language, son.” Ashley gave him the
evil eye. “Now sit in the chair so we can get out of here.”
    “Yes, Mom.” He cut his eyes at me, scoffed
then sat. “But you’re not pushin’, get one of those other nurses.
You shouldn’t be strainin’ yourself, babe.”
    “I have to agree with him, sweetie, but we
don’t need a nurse. I’ll push him out.”
    “Thanks,, Mom,” Jaxon smirked.
    “Anything for you, baby boy.”

 
    Chapter Seven
    Jaxon
    Leaving the hospital in a car Brody provided
to my parents was less than thrilling. I couldn’t wait to get to
the bottom of things with him. While I appreciated him helping my
parents, it didn’t mean that he could continue to insert himself
into my