Marcus nodded and stood up. “Yeah, I figured as much.” He glanced at the door. “He is going to come bursting in here any minute and make me go back to disliking him, so I had better leave before that happens.”
I laughed. “Okay, thank you for everything.”
Marcus smiled. “It was my pleasure.” He left the room.
I knew he would always be there when I needed him, but in a way, I had just set him free.
Jax stepped back in the room, smiling at me. “Can you try to eat something?”
I thought about food, and, suddenly, I was very hungry. I nodded. “Yes, I think so.”
He broke out into a very happy grin, opened the door, and signaled for a nurse. “She wants food.”
The nurse stuck her head and smiled. “You ready to try some Jello?”
Jello was not what I had been thinking, but apparently I had to start somewhere. “Yes, please.”
She nodded and stepped back out of the room. Jax picked up his guitar from the corner and sat down and began to play. He smiled, and the smooth voice that had made him famous joined the guitar.
* * *
Chapter Twenty
I spent another week in the hospital, but I didn’t mind it. Having Jax with me all day long made the days go by quicker. Once they allowed more visitors, Mr. Greg came, and we played chess. He let me win, and he didn’t realize I knew what he was doing. I spoke with Jessica on the phone several times, and she seemed happy and more like herself. She also desperately wanted to see Sam. She was really having a hard time dealing with what she’d done to him. Jax assured me she would be getting help for her guilt as well. Ms. Mary brought me chicken fingers and mashed potatoes and apple pie, which came as a wonderful relief from the hospital food. Jax continued to sing to me. The nurses peeked in the door and sighed at the sight of him. I understood. The guy I loved also happened to be the world’s heartthrob. I had accepted it.
Jax refused to let me go back to my apartment, and Ms. Mary refused to let Jax take me home with him. So I ended up going home with Ms. Mary. I was anxious to see Sam. He had managed to wedge his little self deep inside my heart. I had to keep reminding myself the roll I played in his life every time I began to think about his future and worry over things that were not my place to worry about. Holding him again and letting his chubby, little fingers curl tightly around my finger made everything seem right.
Jax sat down beside me on Ms. Mary’s couch and looked down at Sam. “He’s a cute kid. He has your eyes.”
I smiled up at Jax and nodded. “Apparently, Jessica has really strong genes.”
Jax touched Sam’s nose gently. “Well, fella, you’re going to be one of the prettiest guys I have ever seen, then.”
I laughed, and so did Ms. Mary.
“All right, you’ve seen him, now, you need to say your goodbyes to Jax and get some rest.” She stared at Jax.
“You’ve been with her for two weeks straight. She needs a break.”
I started to argue, and Jax shook his head. “No, she’s right. You need some rest. Monday you will be able to go back to school, and I want you rested up before then.”
I didn’t think I could be any more rested. I’d been in a bed for two weeks. “Okay, fine,” I muttered and sank back against the couch.
Jax chuckled and leaned down to kiss my forehead. “I have cancelled two concerts on my tour, and I need to go get them rescheduled. I won’t stay gone long. I just need to go home and deal with the thousand phone calls I have put off.”
I didn’t want him to leave, but I knew he had given up everything to stay by my side the past two weeks. “All right.” I forced a smile.
He sighed. “Come on, Sadie, don’t look like that. You’re making this so hard. You have school on Monday, and I am going to have to be on a plane to New York by tomorrow evening.”
I knew this. We had already talked about his schedule the next few months. I was not going to make this any harder. I had sworn to myself to make things as easy as possible for him.
“I know, you’re right. I won’t sulk anymore, I promise.”
He laughed, leaned down, and kissed my lips this time. I instantly responded, and he moaned and broke the kiss.
“Come on, don’t do that to me in Ms. Mary’s house. I will get all the blame if she catches us.”
I grinned. “Sorry.”
He raised his eyebrows and smirked. “Sure you are.”
He stood up and walked toward the door where he stopped and said, “I am going to be back as soon as I can. In the mean time, sleep, so when I get back we can talk without Ms. Mary breathing down my neck.”
I nodded, and he blew me a kiss, turned, and continued out the door.
Our last day together went fast. Before I knew it, Jax was gone again, and I was getting ready to go back to high school.
I woke before the sun came up and took a shower. Facing high school after being with Jax so much was depressing. By the time I dressed and made it to the kitchen, Ms. Mary had a plate of pancakes and bacon on the table.
“You got up early enough. What’s taking you so long? Come eat this before it gets cold.”
I had never had a hot breakfast made for me before I went to school. I couldn’t help but smile at her through my sadness. “Thank you, Ms. Mary. I’m sorry it took me so long.”
I didn’t elaborate, and she turned from washing the dishes in the sink and put a soapy hand on her hip. “Now, I know you miss that boy. I can completely understand it. However, you’ve done promised him you’d enjoy your last year in high school, and you ain’t gonna be able to do that if you’re moping around.” Her Aunt Bee frown was back, and I nodded.
“You’re right, of course. I have so much to be happy about. Starting with you.”
Her cheeks blushed and she waved her soapy hand at me. “Oh, you, goin’ and saying stuff like that. You’re special, girl, ain’t no doubt about it.”
She turned around and finished washing dishes. I ate as much of my breakfast as I could and took it over to the sink.
“Now, you go on and have a good day.”
I nodded and grabbed my book bag. Sam let out a cry, and I walked over to him, bent down, and kissed his sweet little bald head.
“You be good for Ms. Mary, squirt. I’ll see you after school.”
His fat arms slapped at the air, and he kicked his feet. It was his favorite pastime. I walked into the kitchen and waved on my way out the door.
Kane stood leaning against the Hummer. When he saw me, he glanced down at his watch as if I was late. I had stopped moving, confused as to his presence here. It was then that my phone rang. I reached into my pocket and pulled it out.