We both do. I have no idea where I stand with Lawson right. We walked into Mr. Diaz’s club to save his daughter. That doesn’t mean he’s ever going to be okay with me dating her, and I have a feeling Kiana’s relationship with her parents may be a lot different going forward. This type of thing changes people.
“Did you get any sleep at all last night?” I look over at her.
“I’m okay.” She smiles.
“That wasn’t what I asked.” I tilt my head slightly.
“I’m not leaving your side until they release you from the hospital.” She narrows her eyes. “You’re in no position to make me either.”
“You should at least go home and shower—get a chance of clothes.” I sigh. “I think I may be in here for a few days.
We argue for a few minutes about it, but it’s just playful banter. Kiana finally agrees that she could use a shower and a change of clothes but refuses to leave until they give me something else for the pain. I’d rather keep my eyes open so that I can see her beautiful face but relent and press the button.
A few minutes later, I’m dozing off, and Kiana is promising to be there when I wake up.
I’m sure she’ll be in my dreams.
I spend another day mostly sedated, only waking up so that I can eat, and spend some time talking to Kiana.
The sleep I get from the meds isn’t very relaxing, but my body is healing. It’s probably best if I sleep off as much of that as I can. I won’t get much rest when they finally release me from this place.
There’s too much to do. Too much to figure out. I’ve already had visits from Joanna, Dan, and a few more people from the office. They say things are going great, even in my absence, but there is plenty that I need to do.
At least Lawson got the Jack account straightened out before all of this exploded—I’m sure Dan is even more appreciative than I am.
“Is this where they’re keeping the other guy that cheated death?” Lawson walks into my room with a smile on his face.
“Hey…” I look up at him and immediately glance nervously in Kiana’s direction.
“Kiana, your mom was looking for you. Can you give us a minute?” He nods to his daughter.
“Um, sure.” Kiana stands up. “I’ll be right back.”
“Thank you.” Lawson walks close.
“Be nice, he wasn’t as lucky as you were.” Kiana shoots him a glance as she walks by.
I have no idea what kind of conversation we’re about to have, but I was hoping I’d be out of the hospital before we had to sit down and talk.
“How are you doing? Kiana said they think you’ll get released tomorrow.” Lawson sits down in the chair beside my bed.
“That’s the plan.” I nod. “You’re dressed. Does that mean you’re on your way out of here?”
“Yep, time to find somewhere new to suffer.” He chuckles. “I’m sure Janie will make me stay in bed for a few more days before I’m officially released.”
“So, things are okay between the two of you?” I tilt my head slightly.
“Nah, man. Things are definitely not okay. She’s just not going to throw me out of the house until I’m strong enough to collect my belonging from the curb.” Lawson shrugs. “I hate it, but I fucked all of this up—I can’t blame her.”
“Shit man.” I sigh. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine.” He looks down for a moment. “I have to come to terms with the mistakes I made. Maybe there’s a chance for us down the road, but the fire went out of it the second she realized what I had been hiding from her.”
“Even after she found out that Hudson was just extorting money from you?” I blink a couple of times in surprise.
“I still lied to her. I hid stuff…” He shakes his head. “That trust is hard to get back.”
“Yeah, I suppose it is.” I nod in understanding.
“Part of trying to make those amends starts right here.” He pauses for a moment and I see him struggling with what he’s trying to say. “The last thing I saw before everything went black was my best friend take a bullet for my daughter.”
“I’d have done the same for Hudson—or you.” I shift so that I’m sitting up a little straighter. “Regardless of how bad you kicked my ass the other day.”
“I know you would have.” He sighs. “I told you I would never be okay with you dating Kiana, but after what you did… Just take care of my little girl. Promise me that.”
“I will.” I force a smile. “You have my word.”
“I’m going to go home now and pray that Janie doesn’t smother me in my sleep just to get me out of the house faster.” Lawson shrugs. “Can’t really blame her if she does.”
“I don’t think she’s going to do that, man.” I shake my head. “Let’s talk once we’re both out of the hospital. I assume you’re going to need a job once you’re out on your own.”
“Do you think security will ever let me in the building again?” He scoffs. “I beat up the boss!”
“We’ll figure something out.” I laugh under my breath.
I hate that Lawson had to lose so much before he realized what kind of man he had become. I don’t know if he’ll ever be the same again, but maybe that’s a good thing. We all need to heal from this—emotional wounds on top of the physical ones.
Kiana walks back into the room as soon as her father leaves. Her face could light up the darkest night, and her smile makes me wish I could pull her in for the tightest hug.
“Well, he didn’t finish the job…” She moves close to the bed.
“No.” I laugh. “I think things are going to be okay, as long as I take care of you.”
“You’re not in
