Cocky Secrets (Cocker Brothers #29)

42. Jett

FORTY-TWO

Jett

T hey removed the bandages when the wounds healed, two weeks and two days after her surgery. Over the past few months I’ve left the room only so they could wash her hair and clean her up. The side of her head is shaved, and growing back nicely over a scar. She looks like she got that cool haircut on purpose—half-shaved, the other long and wavy.

They brought in a better bed for me when they figured out I planned to stay.

I’ve been here every day and night.

When a male, well-built physical therapist arrived, he told me he was there to move her limbs around so that her circulation stayed healthy and she didn’t get bedsores. I put the brakes on that. “Show me how to do it, then take a hike.”

Pretty sure I’ve watched every episode of Law and Order, which is a fuckin’ lot. Castle and CSI, too. I’m pissed they cancelled Castle without an official season finale. That’s bullshit right there. It’s like closing up a book series without writing about the final wolf. What the fuck? Must have had a good reason...but I hate it just the same.

The Ciphers left a few days after the cops gave us leave to. All except Tonk.

He’s been seeing Carmen and taking it really slow since she’s of course pretty messed up. Eager to heal, though. She’s a brave girl deep down, no matter how fragile she appears. They didn’t get any sunlight in that place, so he’s been taking her to parks and to the beach almost every day.

Since she never thought she’d escape that place, she views everything on the outside with wonder and a little fear, except him.

Him she looks at like a god.

He’s upside down in love with her. I respect the hell out of how he’s treatin’ that girl.

As I return from asking the nurse when she can eat, Luna whispers “You don’t have to stay.”

“Yeah, right,” I mutter.

This one’s not like Carmen at all.

This one fights me at every turn.

And I don’t seem to give a shit. She woke up late last night. So this is officially day one of the battle.

I’m all in.

Grabbing a bag from the dresser, I pull out toothpaste and a toothbrush that’s still in the package. Bought these for when this miracle would happen. Gave me hope to have them ready.

She watches me tear it open and walk to fill one of those vomit dishes they have handy, with fresh water from the sink. It’s never been used — cleaner than my own fingers.

The tray table is an awkward sonofabitch so I have to work not to splash.

I swear at it under my breath.

“What are you doing?” she asks.

“Your breath stinks.”

She smiles in surprise. “Jesus,” she mutters.

I chuckle because I could care less about her fuckin’ ass-breath, which really is terrible. I only said that and am doing this to break the iceberg she’s erected now that she realizes she can’t run.

The girl likes it straight and honest. Some women would call it rough, but they’re not made of iron like this one.

I can give her what she needs. I can talk her language.

Cocking an eyebrow, I ask, “You want me to do it for you like a little baby?”

With a weak arm, she grabs the toothbrush after I squeeze blue goo on it. “Fuck you.”

“Let’s get your strength back and we’ll talk about fuckin’ again.”

Her deep brown eyes dance with amusement and she brushes her teeth slowly, stopping to say, “It tastes strong.”

“Bet my cum tastes better.”

She huffs a laugh and shakes her head like I’m an asshole, spitting out some foam and continuing the difficult journey.

I stop watching, pick up my Ciphers jacket and ask, “You gotta use the bathroom?” She reluctantly nods. “I’ll get a nurse.”

Outside my heart is pounding. I feel like that smile and half-laugh she gave up was a win on my part. One I’ve waited a long fuckin’ time for. At the nurse’s station I have their full attention. Karen watches me as she always does. She’d love me to take her somewhere private. Not subtle, this one. I couldn’t care less.

“You must be so happy, Jett!” Ellen gushes.

“Yeah. When can she eat real food?”

Diego walks up and hears this. “We’ll bring her soft food first and see how she handles it.”

“Thanks.”

Nice guy, but I still can’t believe a man who’s not gay wants to be a nurse. “Congratulations!” he says.

“I didn’t do anything,” I call back as I walk off, pulling my phone from my jacket pocket.

Dialing, I wait for Tonk to answer, “Hey.”

“Guess what.”

After a beat, he goes, “No way.”

“She’s up.”

“Holy fuck! What’s she like?”

“A pain in the ass.”

He chuckles. “So…she’s healthy then.”

“If you can call it that,” I say with a big smile.