Page 104 of Use Me

Ashtyn turned her head toward me and then she rushed from the doorway and grabbed my hand on the uninjured side. “Hey, tiger. How are you feeling?”

“It was Corey,” I responded even though that wasn’t her question.

She nodded. “I know. I already talked to the cops.”

“Did they catch him?”

“I’m not sure.”

“Ashtyn.” The nurse poked her head into the room. “I hate to do this, but visiting hours are over, and Rhys needs his rest.”

“Yeah,” Ashtyn replied. “I’ll come back first thing in the morning.”

“Not gonna lie, Cupcake. I’m gonna miss sleeping with you tonight.”

She leaned down and brushed her lips against mine. “All the morphine in your system will help you forget.”

“I want you to help me forget.”

Ashtyn snorted. “I see having a life-threatening experience hasn’t changed you.”

“Not when you’re involved.”

She kissed me again. “Get some rest. I’ll see you as soon as you can have visitors.”

I held her wrist so she couldn’t step away. “Are you going to be okay tonight?”

“I’m staying at Abby’s.”

“Good.” I nodded.

She leaned down and kissed me again. “I love you.”

“Love you too, Cupcake.”

My pain meds were awesome. I didn’t feel any pain, and I was sleeping like a baby. Nurses came in at different hours to check my vitals and shit. Each time they muttered how well I was doing and then they would leave and I would drift back to sleep.

True to Ashtyn’s word, she came walking into my room before I was served breakfast. “Are you here to give me a sponge bath?” I grinned.

Ashtyn chuckled and shook her head slightly, a cup of coffee in her hand. “I see you’re feeling well this morning.” She leaned down and kissed my lips.

“Can’t even tell I was shot.”

“I think that’s the morphine still pumping through your veins.”

I shrugged my good shoulder. “At least I don’t have the pain to remind me I was shot. I still can’t believe it.”

She sighed and sat in the chair next to my bed. “Me either.”

“Any word on Corey?”

“I haven’t heard anything, but the cops should be here soon.”

My eyes widened as I realized I missed work the night before. “Does my work know?”

“Yeah, Kenny told them.”

“Fuck …” I breathed and looked up at the off-white ceiling, still not believing this was all happening.