At the same time, Marvin says, “Ohh oh, I’m in trouble.”
And I say, “Ohh oh, you’re in trouble.” He and I both laugh, garnering ourselves an angry glare from the nurse.
“Marvin Marshall, you are going to be the death of me.”
“You love me,” he replies.
We all laugh at his candor. And if I’m honest, seeing him just now instantly relaxes me. I hope when I get to his age, I’m still this spritely. He says goodbye to me and promises to visit again tomorrow; shocking us all, he asks the nurse if it’s okay.
Placing a kiss on my cheek, he and the nurse shuffle out and I watch as he exits. No sooner does the door close, it swings open and in walks Clay; I hadn’t even noticed he had left. “Okay, Kelly,” he points toward Flynn, “you need to get out so I can check on my patient.”
Flynn nods his head, and I watch as the man I love leaves my hospital room, and I just know that everything from here on out will be smooth sailing.
36
Flynn
While I’m waiting, I lean against the wall by Avery’s room. I’m so relieved she’s okay. When it hit me it was her in the bed and not Baylor, I thought I was going to die. Seeing the woman I love unconscious is not anything I want to ever go through again. Someone stops next to me and I look up to see Baylor.
“Flynn—”
“No. I don't have anything to say to you.”
“That’s fair.”
We stand here staring at one another. “Actually, I do have one question. Why? Why would you do that to your sister? Your flesh and blood?”
She shocks me when she starts to cry. Shaking her head from side to side, she wipes at the avalanche of tears. “I’m sorry.” She blubbers, “Avie knows everything and her forgiveness is all I care about, but I would like to be civil with you, for her. And in order to do that, I need to apologize to you.”
“I’m listening.” Crossing my arms, I lean back against the wall and wait. She doesn’t speak and when I look to her, she’s looking at her feet. “Baylor,” she looks up at me and I see remorse written all over her face.
“Flynn, I’m so sorry I deceived you the way that I did. I didn’t mean to let it go on as long as I did. When I stepped out of the elevator and saw those two guys with Avie, I panicked. Everything happened so fast and then it just snowballed from there. I wanted to come clean so many times over the last few hours but I’m scared.”
“Scared of what?”
“Them coming back.”
“What did the police say?”
“Not much. I hope when I go and see them to give my formal statement, that they’ll have more.” She steps to me and places her hand on my forearm and squeezes, for a small chick, she’s mighty strong. “You need to keep her safe.”
“With my life.” And I mean that, I would lay my life down to save Avery, in a heartbeat.
“Thank you.” She swallows deeply and removes her hand. She brushes her hair behind her ear and it reminds me so much of Ave. “You know, you really are the perfect person for Avie. You are the complete opposite to her, but they say opposites attract. You’ve brought out a side to my sister that I didn’t know existed. I kinda like her sassy, strong side. You two are clearly attracted to one another. You can feel the love radiating from you both when you’re together, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen Avie this happy before.” She pauses, and sighs. “With my recent antics, I’m glad she has you by her side.”
“Even though you tried to break us up.”
“Semantics but, Flynn,” we stare at each other and an understanding passes between us. “You hurt her and I will fucking kill you.”
With that, she turns around and walks away from me. Maybe I’ve misjudged Baylor, I think she’s just lost. With Ave and me on her side, we’ll help her get back on the right track.
Clay exits Avery’s room. “All good?”
“You know I can’t tell you anything.” I eyeball him. “Fine, but if I get fired I’m taking you down with me.”
“Fine, but she’s going to be my fiancée one day so…”
“Really?”
“Yep, now, how is she?”
“She’s fine, considering. No lasting damage, but she will be sore for the next few days. I’m going to keep her in for another night and she can go home tomorrow.”
“Can’t I take her home and watch over her? I am a doctor, you know.”
“No, you can’t. And don’t even think about playing the doctor card.”
“Fine,” I relent. Offering my hand, he takes it and shakes. “Thanks, man, appreciate you taking such good care of my girl.”
“Never thought I’d see the day when Flynn Kelly was smitten with a woman.”
“You’ve met her, it's hard to not fall for her.”
“I agree…just don’t tell my wife that.”
We both laugh. He walks down the corridor and I head back into Ave’s room. Pushing the door open, the room is dark, except for the night light above her bed. Avery’s eyes are closed. I take a moment to look at her. Even with a messed-up face, she really is the most beautiful woman in the world.
“Stop staring at me, you creeper,” she says with her eyes still closed.
“I’m just admiring your beauty.”
“I think you need your eyes tested. I feel like shit and I’m pretty sure I look like a zombie right now.”
“A sexy as fuck zombie,” I say, as I step toward her. “And I love you just the way you are.”
“Did you just Bruno Mars me?”
“Guess I did, but it’s the truth. Avery, you are the most stunning woman in the world, zombie look included, and I’m the luckiest man alive to have you as my girlfriend.”
“You say the sweetest things, Flynn Kelly, now come over here so I can kiss you.”
“You had me at kiss.”
Bending down, I gently grip her jaw in my fingers and press my lips to hers. It's a soft and gentle kiss, but it’s the most perfect kiss ever in the history of kisses. Against her lips I murmur, “I love you, Avery Evans.”
“I love you too, Flynn Kelly.” She pulls back, her eyes darken with desire. “Wanna quickie?”
A deep laugh breaks free, shaking my head I run my finger over her bottom lip. “Avery, I would love nothing more than to fuck you all night long, but not three hours ago you were unconscious. Your body needs rest.” She pouts. “But I promise, as soon as you are one-hundred-percent, I will eat you, suck you, and fuck you repeatedly. All.Night.Long.”
“You know, you said that to me in the alcove the night we met.”
“I did not know this but I can unequivocally say, that was the best night of my life…it led me to you.”
“I agree one-million-percent with that statement. Now get out of here, so I can sleep and heal because I can’t wait to fuck you repeatedly, all night long.”
“Fiend,” I playfully reply.
“Takes one to know one.”