Page 39 of Devoted (Love and Burlesque #2)
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
VIVIAN
Out in the open.
I n the hazy days between the holidays and the new year, Knight and I have spent almost every waking moment together. At his house, reading and drawing by his cozy fireplace; at my apartment, making dinner and spending time with a newly single Emma.
Oh, there is a story to that—apparently, Caleb chose to propose to Emma in front of his entire family a few days ago, without giving any kind of indication of wanting to marry her for the past decade they’ve been on and off.
Feeling pressured, Emma hesitated while staring at a ring that was clearly not her size or in a style she liked at all, and in that moment, Caleb chose to have a fit for not getting her immediate agreement.
Well, it was the end of that relationship.
Knight, feeling comfortable openly talking about stalking me—at least to Em for now—let us know how he heard some shady phone calls Caleb had made, and he admitted that’s why he had been keeping a close eye on Emma at the club.
He kept asking Em about Caleb’s details, stating that he’d be happy to see the man in ruins for mistreating her.
While Em is a sweet soul, I remember seeing temptation cross her features when Knight casually offered to upend Caleb.
My man making a threat to fuck someone up shouldn’t have been so arousing.
Poor Em had to run out of the room after I practically jumped Knight in front of her.
The only issue we face now is our expiring lease.
Em had agreed to live with Caleb a few days before he whipped out the proposal.
Overhearing our conversation, Knight, without delay, asked when he could send a truck to move my things into his house.
He even offered Em a room after the breakup, but she insisted she needed to figure it out on her own.
Em, Knight, and I were the only ones who stayed home after Christmas, and it really warmed my heart to see them become closer.
The rest of the family had their separate plans during this time, so I’m only now seeing some of them for book club this afternoon.
Alek and Ezekiel just got back from a surprise trip to Guadalajara, Thomas and Rhett took some time to go off-grid camping, and Harriett had a solo vacation to somewhere where she wouldn’t freeze her tits off—in her words.
Presently, Ezekiel, Em, and I sit at a booth at our favorite coffee shop, waiting for Harriett to arrive so we can gossip about our latest steamy read.
We’re all nearly done with our coffees, yet still waiting for Harriett when Ezekiel’s phone goes off, vibrating across the table and stealing our attention from some random topic of conversation.
Picking up his phone, Ezekiel squints his eyes, and I’m immediately on edge. Something feels off. “Why would Thomas be calling me?” he asks, but it sounds more like a thought spoken out loud, so neither of us replies. Taking the call and holding the phone to his ear, he greets T quietly.
From what I remember, this is about the time that he’d be starting his shift at the hospital. Em and I try our best not to eavesdrop, but I can tell she’s as concerned as I am right now.
Ezekiel’s eyes go wide as we hear the faintest sound of T on the other side of the call. “Text me the building and room, please, Thomas.” Hanging up his phone, Ezekiel digs into his pocket frantically, but sighs when he doesn’t find anything.
“I need someone to take me to the hospital. Alek dropped me off on his way to the club, and I-I don’t have means of transportation,” he rushes with audible small stutters in his voice, so unlike him.
“What’s happening?” I ask, following Ezekiel’s lead and gathering what I can while Emma packs away our larger items and handles our coffees, waving us off with a gesture that says, “I’ll take care of this.
” Double-checking that my car keys are in my purse, I slide out of my seat and wait for him to do the same.
“Harriett was in an accident and is in surgery.” Standing up from the booth, Ezekiel throws his jacket around his shoulders and begins to lead us to the exit of the café.
“The EMTs told me the accident wasn’t severe, but the force of the impact caused Harriett’s bone to crack a few inches from the hip joint,” T explains, and Ezekiel listens like he has an exam on this tomorrow.
“It’s not the worst kind of fracture that can happen in that area, thankfully.
It’s far away enough from the joint that blood flow shouldn’t be interrupted, and she’ll be able to heal within three months. ”
Ezekiel nods, and I breathe a sigh of relief right with him. “Thank you, Thomas. I’ll make sure to update Knight and Alek when they arrive soon.”
“I’m going to check on her right now and make sure the nurses give the okay for her to have visitors.” My brother walks back to the entry of the orthopedic wing while Ezekiel and I take a seat in the small waiting room.
“I was so worried,” he admits, and I reach over our shared armrest to take his hand in mine. “I should call Knight and Alek now that we have more information.”
“I can do that, Ez,” I offer, reaching for my phone with my free hand.
I don’t have a chance to dig through my disaster of a purse before the double doors at the hospital entry swing open.
Alek and Knight rush over to the main desk, but I stand up and whistle to get their attention.
The pair walks over to us briskly, and we stand up to meet them.
I don’t know how to act around Knight with our family around. Did he really mean it when he said he was ready for us to be more than a secret? Is it even an appropriate time to think about this? I just want to hug him and take that anguished look from his face.
“Harriett was in a minor car accident that managed to cause a fracture in her hip,” Ezekiel explains while Knight and Alek are still a few steps away from us.
“She’s out of surgery now, but she is looking at several months of physical training and recovery.
Thomas is checking on her.” His last sentence is said over Alek’s shoulder, my brother hugging his fiancé tightly as soon as he was within reach.
Knight’s focus is on Ezekiel’s words, but his shoulders are still tense even after hearing some relieving news. My hands clench at my sides with the urge to hug him and comfort him just like Alek is doing to Ezekiel, but I can’t be the one to force it.
Turning to me, Knight lets out a deep breath, like he was waiting to breathe until he got an update on his mother.
Strong arms covered in a dark gray Oxford shirt wrap around me in an instant, and I can feel his body melt into mine.
He bends at the waist, pulling me further into his hold and laying his head on my shoulder.
“Thank you for being here,” he whispers in my ear.
Holding him as tightly as I can, I try to make my body into a security blanket for him, trying to assure him he’s not alone. Not anymore. I’m forever at his side.
“What’s—” Alek begins to ask. I catch a glimpse of him over my shoulder, staring at us wide-eyed and mouth agape.
“Not now, Alek.” Ezekiel shushes him softly while beginning to lead him around the corner where the vending machines are.
Alek didn’t look upset, just surprised and confused that I’d be holding Knight in such a loving embrace. I always knew it, but having proof that our family and friends wouldn’t have an issue with us being together is incredibly validating.
“Knight,” I murmur, stepping back but staying in his arms as I look up at him. “Alek saw us hugging,” I state, and look for his reaction.
His eyes look tired, having gone through such an emotional ordeal. “Oh, right,” is all he manages to say, taking a moment to look around the empty waiting area. “Well, I guess we don’t need to make a formal announcement now.”
“I guess not.” I smile softly, bringing my hand up to cup his cheek.
“Hey guys, I’ve got—” Thomas’ voice trails off when he sees me and Knight holding each other.
“So, that’s new, but not unexpected,” he comments, clearing his throat, and we separate to give him our full attention.
“Harriett’s up and recovering, but only two visitors are allowed at a time. Ezekiel said you two can go first.”
“An old woman breaking her hip, how terribly cliché,” Harriett says, lying in the hospital bed, eyes closed as she rests. I know better than to attribute the snark to her pain meds. That’s just how she is.
“Very unfashionable of you,” Knight replies, a sad smile playing on his lips as he sits at her bedside, holding his mother’s hand, with me standing behind him.
“Almost as unfashionable as dating your employee, my dear.” Harriett opens her eyes, carefully shifting her head to look at us.
I gasp at her comment. Knight tenses for a second before a full-bodied laugh leaves him. Maybe the pain meds destroyed whatever filter she might have had left because damn .
“That is why the two of you are here together, correct?” she asks, raising an eyebrow curiously. My eyes drift down to the shared hold of their hands, Harriett’s thumb brushes small circles as she waits for an answer.
“That’s correct,” Knight replies. He brings his unoccupied hand up to his shoulder, and I immediately know he needs some connection. Placing my hand on him, Knight covers the entirety of my hand with his.
“Seems my sons can’t resist the Delgados,” she jokes and pats Knight’s hand before returning it back to her bed.
A big yawn fills the silence in her room.
She must be exhausted from everything she’s been through today, and we still need to let Ez and Alek see her.
“Knight, could you get me another pillow before the other two love birds come to see me?” Harriett asks.
“Yes, of course.” Knight stands and heads to the nurses’ station down the hallway.
“Vivian, please wait,” Harriett requests. She weakly points to the chair Knight was previously sitting in. Sitting down, I lean closer so she doesn’t have to use too much energy to speak, my hand at the edge of the bed.
“I haven’t seen that much life in his eyes in years ,” she begins.
Shifting her hand closer, she hooks her pinky with mine.
A choking sound gets stuck in my throat at the sweet gesture.
In the few months I’ve known this woman, she’s shown me more affection than my mother has in a decade.
The tears in my eyes match the mistiness found in hers once we make eye contact.
“Thank you, Vivian.”