October’s Ride with Atlas (Mustang mountain Riders #10)

10. Bex

CHAPTER 10

BEX

“Why don't you get some sleep and let us help?” Emerson says as I walk into the kitchen and grab the lunch plates Bear prepared and a bottle of water.

“I promise I'm okay right now. But I will take you up on that later when he needs help at three a.m.,” I tease.

“Just say the word and one of us will be there,” Bear says.

After grabbing the food and water, I go back upstairs, remembering the anxiety I felt the last few days. Atlas was rushed to the hospital, and it was all a blur because so much was happening. All I wanted to know was that he was okay. He spent a few hours in surgery and a few days in the hospital before the guys helped bring him back to the clubhouse.

It's been nice having them to help with things, but I do like taking care of him myself.

I set the food down and walk over to the bed to wake him up.

“Atlas,” I say, rubbing his arm. He hasn't been sleeping too deeply, so he stirs instantly. “I need to change your bandage and I have lunch for you too.”

In order for me to get to his side easier, he turns while grunting.

“It's also time for another pain pill,” I tell him, checking the time.

“You know one of the guys would be happy to help so you can just cuddle in bed with me. I don't expect you to take care of me,” he says.

“Funny, I just got the same speech from Bear and Emerson. Did it occur to you that I like to take care of you? I want to make sure you are okay. And I do accept help. Bear cooked the food, I just brought it upstairs.” I give him a bright smile. Then I head to the bathroom to get the bin of supplies to change his bandage.

“Well, I honestly love you taking care of me. But I want you to know you have a choice,” he says.

Even in the hospital, he kept telling me I didn't need to stay with him. Of course, I never left his side and even snuck in a few showers in his attached bathroom with the help of Emerson and Ginger covering for me.

Now that he is home and on the mend, I still have no plans to leave his side.

“I know I have a choice. And yes, Dad forced me to take care of him and the guys, but I also never complained because I enjoyed it, too. It gave me something to do. With you, I want to take care of you because I love you. There is a big difference. I know I don't have to. Now shut up and let me take care of you,” I smile at him. Though he rolls his eyes and acts all annoyed, he has a smile on his face.

Once I get his bandage changed, we eat lunch together. As we eat, he asks me questions.

“Where have you always wanted to visit?” he asks.

“I always thought it would be nice to see the Grand Canyon.” I shrug.

“No, think big. Anywhere in the world. Where would you go?”

I give it some real thought because this seems important to him.

“My mom's side of the family is Italian, and before my grandparents died they told me stories of their village back in Italy. I always thought it would be nice to go and visit and stand where these stories happened,” I tell him.

He smiles at that.

“Never been to Italy myself, but wouldn't mind visiting.” He nods.

“Favorite movie?” he asks.

That kicks off more than twenty questions over lunch. I answer patiently because he told me he just wants to get to know everything about me.

Once we are done, I take his plates, set them aside, and pick up my phone.

“What are you doing?” he asks.

“I'm messaging one of the girls to pick up the plates later because right now I want to crawl in bed and snuggle up to you,” I say. Then I set my phone down and carefully snuggle into his side that isn't bandaged, resting my head on his shoulder.

“Good, because I want to ask you to marry me, but can't seem to get down on one knee right now,” he says.

I freeze. There is no way I heard what I heard.

Sitting up, I look into his face, but it's the ring he is holding in his other hand that makes me realize I did hear him correctly.

“I want to marry you. I want you by my side always, and I don't want anyone to be able to take you from me. For our honeymoon, I'll take you to Italy and make sure you stand in that village and eat the best Italian food you have ever had,” he starts to ramble.

“Yes,” I say because there is no point in drawing it out when I know this is what I want.

“I had a whole speech.” He laughs, pulling me in with his good arm.

We only have a quick kiss because he’s busy getting the ring on my finger. Of course, it fits perfectly.

“This is my grandma's ring, and the fact that it fits you so well is proof you are meant to be mine. And before you ask, I had one of the guys get it from the cabin for me while I was in the hospital. Because I knew the moment outside my cabin that you chose me, I was going to ask you to be my wife,” he says.

There is no way I can stop the tears streaming down my face.

I can't remember the last time someone truly wanted me like this. My mom was stuck with me, and I thought my dad wanted me. But I never felt that I was the most important person in the world until Atlas made me feel that way. My dad didn’t take the time to get to know me the way Atlas and everyone at the club has.

“I really hope those are happy tears,” Atlas says, wiping them off my cheeks.

“They are,” is all I manage to say before I crash my lips into his and kiss him.

“Hopefully, this means she said yes?” Emerson says, peeking her head in. I didn’t even hear her at the door.

“She said yes,” Atlas says.

“I'll let everyone know we are adding another club member. You two enjoy yourselves. Not too much, as I don't need to be fixing his stitches,” Emerson says with a huge smile as she takes the plates out of the room.

“That kind of celebrating will have to wait, but I have a few ideas until then,” I say.

I think I’m going to like taking some control, at least for now.