“You want him to stay with Duchess of the Flies?” I ask. “Since that’s your only other option.”
Matty giggles, now sitting next to Hunter on the bed. His little hands move to cover up his mouth, like he knows he isn’t supposed to be laughing at his grandmother. Christ, a four year old gets my jokes. I’m so going to die alone.
Hunter shakes his head, and it looks like his big body settles more deeply into the hospital bed. He must be exhausted. And I’m arguing with him. The Bitch of the Year award goes to me.
I try for a gentler tone. “Look, your body has taken a beating. I’m trying to offer you some help. I’ll give you my cell number so you can call Matty every fifteen minutes if you’re up to it. I don’t know what it’s worth, but I swear I won’t do anything to hurt him. Looks like he’s the only one that laughs at my jokes,” I grin at Hunter, hoping for levity, feel it pop like a balloon when he just stares at me.
Hunter settles onto his pillow, sighs and closes his eyes. When he opens them, he looks at Matty. “You’re going to be good for Sera, right?” he asks, putting a palm on the kid’s leg.
Matty bounces on the bed, legs swinging with excitement, nodding so hard his head might pop off. “Promise!” He leans down and kisses Hunter’s cheek loudly, giggling when he’s done. “Can we watch Peter Pan tonight, Sera?”
Jesus, this kid gets me. Peter Pan is one of my favourite stories ever. “I’ve got something better for you.” I hold my hand out, wiggling my fingers when he starts taking his time.
“Buddy, cover your ears first. I gotta say something to Sera,” Hunter orders.
Matty’s face goes white on his way over to me, and the kid is Casper-pale to begin with. “You’re going to tell her bad words?”
I can’t help it. The whole bloody situation, the stress of the day, the craziness I just accepted into my life – I start laughing. Real hard laughing that could cause underwear problems in the near future.
I lean down and hug Matty close to me, wait for the reward of his little arms squeezing around my neck. “You are the best person I have ever met,” I laugh, tickling the side of his ribs. Still chuckling, rubbing the tears from my eyes, I tell the little guy to cover his ears and move closer to Hunter.
Hunt grabs my wrist in an almost bruising force, just enough to make me feel what he can do. The logical part of my brain is telling me that this is his way of showing me the damage he’ll cause if his kid is ever hurt in my care. The girly part of me is shutting that part down quick, and screaming in my head. The rest of me’s watching dumbfounded as he drags me closer and closer to his bed.
I hadn’t noticed the dark circles under his eyes, or that they look glassy again. He looks more than bone tired, more like soul-weary. Like every day of life is another day to suffer. Another day to hurt.
“You hurt him, and I will make pain look like a fleeting memory.” I nod; it’s the only thing I can do. I can’t imagine being sick enough that I couldn’t take care of my kid, or that, for whatever reason, he doesn’t want Matty to stay with his Mom. “If he says he’s tired, check his sugar. His glucometer and Iron Man pack is at my place. You have to-”
I pull against the vise around my wrist. “He’s diabetic too?” My heart spasms in my chest, and I glance down at Matty, humming as his hands still cover his ears. Well, I said I would help out, and I will goddamn it. I look back at Hunter.
“I know how to use one. My mom’s a diabetic. I know what to do. I don’t have any junk at my house if you’re worried about him downing that.”
Hunter shakes his head, and lets go of me, settling into his bed. “I don’t want you in this. Fuck. I don’t want you in this at all.”
Well, okay, that bloody stings. I clear my throat, biting down on my back molars so I talk funny. “You’ll be rid of me as soon as you get out. Better start concentrating on getting better then, right?”
“Watch him,” he growls, trying to sit up.
“I’ll watch him.” The words sound like a pledge, a vow. “Swear to God.”
“Swear on your life,” he says, eyes burning with an intensity and desperation I would imagine seeing on a dying man with unfinished business.
I take a deep breath, giving him the words he desperately wants to hear. “I swear, Hunter. Everything’s going be fine. Promise.” I clear my throat. “Rest easy. You’ll see him in a couple of days. We’re going to OD on movies and maybe some pizza.” I grin at him, marvelling at the fact that I have been having a conversation with a seriously hot guy, and I haven’t blushed or anything. All it took was for Hunter to be in a hospital bed, but I can’t be picky. “See you soon. Matty? Come say bye.”