“Get back into bed. It’s too early.”

“Or I could head home and help Boom clean out the garage. He’s been bitchin’ about it forever.”

I was already shaking my head. “Nope. You need to pay attention to me all day since I’m hurt.”

He blinked slowly. “I need to pay you attention because you’re hurt.”

Cocking my head to the side, I asked, “Didn’t I just say that?”

“Why?”

“Why what?”

“Why do I need to pay you attention?”

I chuckled. “Because you like me.”

He groaned and dropped his head back to stare at the ceiling.

“And because you’re my boo-boo bear, who wants to dote on me.” I went to raise my arm and dramatically winced. It hurt a little, but not enough it’d stop me from doing things. Still— “Oh, that hurt. How will I shower on my own? How will I feed myself?”

I opened my eyes; he was already glaring down at me. “Seriously?”

Smiling, I nodded.

His lips twitched. “You’re a fuckin’ fool.”

However, he didn’t leave. “I’m your fool though.”

His jaw ticked, and I knew I’d gone too far. He didn’t see me as his yet. He needed more time to know I wasn’t going to run to the next woman who showed me some tits.

“I’m gonna get some coffee,” he said. I gave him a soft smile and nodded. Again, at least he wasn’t leaving. I watched him walk from the room and rested my head back against the headboard, sighing.

I’d prove to him I wanted to give us a go. One day he’d realize I was serious, maybe in a week, a month, even a year, but I’d wait and enjoy the ride we were on along the way.

I swung my gaze toward the door when I heard footsteps on the front porch. I flicked the covers back and got out of bed when I heard a key being inserted in the lock. I rounded the bed and kicked Kylo’s clothes under the bed when I listened to the front door being swung wide. Then I thought about why the fuck I hid his clothes when he was standing in the kitchen anyway. Not that I would have hidden them for my sake. I was thinking of Kylo, knowing he wouldn’t want a brother to see him half naked in my house.

“Zion, my boy” was called loudly as my mom and dad walked into the house.

Mom spotted me first, her eyes widening, and she cried out, “Zion, your arm,” before rushing me.

“Mom, I’m fine.”

“What happened?” Dad asked while Mom shook me a little. “Jesus, Lucy, he looks injured enough.”

“What did you do?” Mom demanded.

“Just a little accident, nothin’ to worry about,” I told her with a calming smile.

She nodded. “Good.” Then she smacked me in the arm—thankfully, it was the good one.

“What was that for?”

“Bull-pooping me. I’m going to make coffee before I throttle you. Then you’ll come out and explain.” She stormed from the room just as I remembered Kylo. I quickly took off after her.