Page 9 of I’m Fine Save Me (The Spiral Duet #1)

He’s rambling. It’s something I noticed when Cooper gets stressed or overwhelmed.

When he’s aroused, those feelings turn to passion.

When he’s scared or nervous, those feelings turn to rambling.

When he’s angry—our neighbors hear a lot of yelling and slamming doors even though we aren’t fighting. It’s just Cooper blowing off steam.

“I got the gun so I could protect you and the baby. I needed to practice with it and I got too comfortable too fast. I slipped up and fucked up and I’m so fucking sorry.

Please, Tegs, don’t be mad. You don’t have to take care of me.

I’m going to handle this. You shouldn’t have to take care of me. I’m supposed to take care of you.”

“Cooper Nathaniel Michaels, please stop talking,” I tell him gently and kiss his brow again.

“I’m not mad that you got hurt. I’m not upset that you will need me to take care of some things for you while you heal.

I’m mad and upset that you played things off like everything was fine when I talked to you earlier.

I’m mad that you sent Theo with no explanation.

I’m mad that you didn’t tell me what the fuck was happening when it was happening.

I could’ve been here and your dad could’ve gone home sooner. ”

He sighs heavily and shakes his head. “You had your girl’s day planned.

I didn’t want to fuck that up for you. I know how much you love your time with your mom and your sisters.

You went from being around girls all the time to living with me.

I know that’s been one hell of an adjustment.

” I laugh at that and kiss his brow again. “I’m so sorry, baby.”

“Stop apologizing and just promise me you’ll not be a stubborn ass patient.” I pull back to meet his eyes and lift a brow at him.

He gives me a drugged out smirk and nods. “Then would you mind asking the nurse if I can have something to drink? I think those meds are giving me cottonmouth.”

With a soft laugh, I stand up straight and walk back out to the nurse’s station.

The kind man behind the desk smiles politely and shows me where I can find the vending machines.

I get Cooper a Sprite, hoping it will help settle any nausea that might come with the meds, and get a diet ginger ale for myself.

When I turn to walk back towards Cooper’s room, my entire body freezes.

Wayne of all people is walking towards me.

“Tegan? What are you doing here?” His voice grates on my every nerve, but a hospital is not a place to make a scene either. We might have family drama, but it’s not worth airing our dirty laundry for everyone to hear.

I haven’t seen him since the wedding. The man stole my identity before I was even eighteen, leaving me to inherit debt I never knew existed.

I learned that my credit score was in the garbage when Cooper and I applied to buy a house, and were instantly denied.

Wayne’s logic was that I was his firstborn and he was entitled to my social security number.

He’d pay me back eventually for all the credit cards and loans he took out in my name and didn’t pay back.

That was even before he found his new family and showed his pettiness on my wedding day.

Alas, I can’t just throat punch the man in the middle of the hospital.

“Wayne.” I grit out and force a tired smile.

“What are you doing here, sweetheart? Are you alright?” He’s using that caring, fatherly tone. It’s a tone that I’ve long learned was as fake as Pam Anderson’s tits.

“I’m fine. I’m just here with someone else. I need to get back to them.” I try to walk around him to continue down the hall, but he steps in front of me. “Is Cooper alright? Is it your mom? Does she want to see me?”

He’s fucking joking, right? Why the fuck would she want to see the man that cheated on her multiple times, blamed it on her, stole her daughter’s identity, and as soon as the divorce was final, married someone else?

I laugh mirthlessly and shake my head. “You’re unbelievable.

” The words are barely audible, but he hears it.

I can see it in the way his stubbled jaw flexes.

His cheeks look hollow, like he’s not getting enough sleep.

Maybe he started smoking a pack a day and that’s why he looks more wrinkled in the face than ever before.

The nicotine stench is not helping my nausea.

“Cooper is fine and so is Mama. Before you ask, Kat and Dani are both fine too. Now if you’ll excuse m—”

“You can’t just keep avoiding me forever, Tegan. I’m your father.” He says it with such conviction, I think he actually believes it.

“I’m not required to give you time when you’ve taken enough from me, but if I were to give you any time at all, it wouldn’t be right now.

You have my number. It hasn’t changed. Text me or call me when you have the money to cover your own tab for dinner and we can talk then.

” I can feel the shaking starting in my hands, and I grip the cold drinks tighter in each to keep it from being too noticeable.

Stepping around him, I’m halted by his hand gripping my upper arm. It’s not enough to hurt, but it’s enough to give me pause. “Why is it always about money? I’m not Daddy Warbucks over here. Maybe if I was, you and your sisters would actually love me.”

I grit my teeth and snatch my arm out of his grasp. “The differences between you and Daddy Warbucks go far beyond your bank account, Wayne.” And with that, I walk down the hall and turn the corner, wanting to get to Cooper's room before he can see which one I duck into.

I close the door and the privacy curtain so no one can see into the room before setting Cooper up with his drink.