Cocky Secrets (Cocker Brothers #29)

83. Antonio

EIGHTY-THREE

Antonio

I feel like a plane ran into my head. Fuck, man. Why can’t I open my left eye?

Cracking my right one takes effort, but when I see my woman asleep in a hospital chair, I relax a little. “Meg,” I groan, everything hurting. I’ve got a cast on my left arm.

She leaps up and rushes to my side. “You’re awake,” she whispers with a happy smile.

Glancing around the room I try to understand what the hell I’m seeing. Everything is covered in tinsel, brightly wrapped presents, wreaths and poinsettia plants, garlands on the walls, door and hospital bed. “What’s all this? They stick me in someone else’s room?”

Meg shakes her pretty head. “It’s for you. The people of Nevada City decorated it for you.”

I blink at her, confused. “Why?”

She tells me the story of what happened, and when she finishes, she asks, “You didn’t know they jumped in?”

I must have been out by then. I gave it my best, but nine against one. What hurt most was knowing she was probably watching.

“I knew I was losing. That’s all I knew.”

“You weren’t losing, Antonio. You had friends. Yesterday people filled this room, and you remember that waiter? He told the whole restaurant and they sent food over for everyone to eat. But you didn’t wake up.” Tears are in her eyes as she struggles against happiness. “Until right now. I’m so happy to see you. How do you feel? Your eye will heal, but it’s swollen pretty badly.”

“Good. I was wondering about my eye. I can’t open it,” I rasp, clasping her hand and moved by what the people did for me. “But I’m gonna be okay.” She kisses my fingers and beams at me. God, she just lights up a room.

The door swings open. “Well, look who went and got himself beat the hell up!” Jett shouts with Luna in tow, both in Ciphers jackets, Sofia Sol in her mother’s arms.

My one eye goes wide. “Jett? What the fuck you doin’ here?”

“Meg stole your phone and called us,” he grins.

Luna smirks, “Woman after my own heart.”

Tonk and Carmen file in, carrying Celia and their new baby boy, as Tonk yells, “Woohooo!!! Look at your face, fucker! You look like shit!” Carmen shakes her head like she wishes this didn’t happen to me.

Melodi and Fuse stroll in after them, with their son Tyler bounding in like he’s got a frog in his pants.

Taller than everyone in the room, Fuse whistles long and low at the sight of me. “That’s gotta hurt.”

Melodi says, “You leave us for one week and get into trouble. That’ll teach ya.” She looks at Meg and gives her the once over. “This her?”

Grinning even though it hurts, I say, “This is my woman!”

Jett grabs Meg and bear hugs her, lifting her off her feet as she yelps in surprise. When he sets her down, Luna kisses her cheek and says, “This is my daughter, Sofia Sol.”

“She’s beautiful,” Meg whispers, smiling at the grey-eyed little girl.

Scratch’s deep Southern drawl shouts a deep, “Don’t start the party without us!” He guides Mona into my crowded room. I’m surrounded by my chosen family, and my chest feels like it might explode.

Everyone gets introduced to Meg while I’m speechless. She shyly smiles at them with all her fingers tight around mine. I don’t blame her for being nervous.

This is a badass bunch.

I tug on her hand and she looks at me, her eyes softening as I ask, “You did this for me?”

“Merry Christmas, Antonio,” she whispers, with tears in her eyes.

Emotion wells up inside me as everyone goes quiet. “It’s Christmas today?”

She nods and Jett grins beside her, “Christmas morning, yes sir!” He pulls out a flask and hands it to me. “Brought you some medicine.”

I take it with the biggest smile I’ve ever had. I can’t even feel pain anymore. The faces of the people I love are staring at me, and they made this trip all the way across country to be here. This is the first time I’ve ever understood what this holiday is really about.