Uncovering Hope (Uncovering Love Book 3) by Kacey Shea Page B

setting my alarm and kicking him out when it goes off.” I point a warning finger at Derek. “Let me see your badge.” I nod and he hands it over. I check to verify he has the volunteer clearance to be left in the room and he does.
    “Sweet!” Luis beams and I know I’ve made the right choice. Derek better be good to him, though something tells me he will. “Here’s your controller.” Luis hands the extra to Derek.
    “Thanks. I gotta warn you, I’m pretty good for an old dude. I play lots of Xbox on the road.”
    “Road?”
    “Yeah, I’m in a band. Maybe you heard of us? Three Ugly Guys?”
    “Shit!” Luis shouts.
    “Language,” I chide as I jot a few final notes in his chart. I may also be stalling to listen in on their conversation.
    “I’ve heard of you! Holy crap! I can’t believe Derek Taylor is in my room playing Madden with me!” Luis usually plays the cool teenager card, so the fact he’s this worked up over Derek’s arrival is entertaining to watch. He’s not even trying to play it off.
    As I gently shut the door the sure sounds of smack talk and laughter follow me out into the hall. That Derek is making my favorite patient’s night warms my soul. He may be a famous rock star but right now he’s using his powers for good. There just might be more to Derek Taylor than I originally thought.
    I check on my other patients and get sidelined with a little girl who’s having pain management issues. I don’t even hear my alarm go off and by the time I’ve finally got her calm and back asleep it’s just shy of midnight. I’m sure Derek’s long gone by now, but I should check on Luis anyway.
    Hand on the knob I hear noises through the door and pause. The soft sounds of guitar and singing drift through the walls. He couldn’t still be here. Could he? I ease the door open and peek inside. What I see melts any remnants of ice frozen around my heart. Derek is strumming, guitar cradled in his expert arms, as his fingers dance nimbly across the strings. It’s a song I don’t recognize, and he sings soft and low. His voice isn’t perfect, which somehow makes him more endearing.
    Luis holds two drum sticks and moves them over a worn white circular pad he’s balanced on his lap. Luis’ movements are awkward and off beat, but it doesn’t seem to bother Derek. His eyes are closed as he sings. A trace of a smile falls into place between lyrics.
    I slip inside and wait until the song ends before intruding upon their moment.
    “Bravo!” I clap and offer a sincere appreciation.
    Derek shoots Luis a worried look.
    “Busted.” He tells Luis before he meets my gaze. “Sorry, I know we’ve gone way past bedtime. Luis wanted to learn drums and we totally lost track of time. My bad.”
    “It’s okay, just don’t let it happen again.”
    Derek places his guitar back in its case and Luis tries to hand back the drum sticks.
    “Nah, man. You keep those, and the practice pad. I’ll be back in a few nights. If that’s cool with you?” Derek slings his case over his shoulder and Luis nods.
    “Yeah, that’s cool.” He must have regained his nonchalant teenage attitude while I was gone. I’m sure he’s more than excited.
    “Okay, boys. Lights out, Luis. Derek, I’ll walk you out.”
    Luis yawns and turns to his side. I flip the lights as he wraps the blanket around himself. Derek follows me out of the room and toward the bank of waiting elevators.
    “You better come back. You can’t make promises like that if you don’t plan on keeping them. It means a lot to a kid like Luis.” We stop and he presses the down button.
    “I know, Carly. I know exactly how much it means. That’s why I volunteer here.”
    “Sorry. It’s just, Luis is a special kid.”
    “He is, I can tell.” He reaches out and touches my arm with the tips of his fingers. His eyes are somber and stormy when he speaks. “He’s going to be all right? He’ll get better?”
    I wish I could give him an answer, but the truth of