Tyler follows us, and knowing that he’s close also eases my concern. I think it would be impossible for anyone to take us both on, considering we’re so accustomed to fighting.
Once we’re in Lawton Ridge town limits, Tyler honks a couple of times and waves, then turns off toward the gym. I notice the way Everleigh scans the downtown area, and I search around too, but the SUV isn’t in sight. I squeeze her hand as we drive to her grandmother’s house. As soon as we park, Mimi comes out with Sassy on a leash.
Her tail immediately wags when she sees Everleigh.
“Calm down,” Mimi says, opening the back door.
Sassy jumps in and pushes herself between the seats. “Aw, my sweet girl.” Everleigh laughs as Sassy licks her face.
“How’re you feelin,’ honey?” Mimi asks.
“Better. Glad to be going home.” Everleigh grins.
“I’m sure you are. Hold on one second,” Mimi tells her, then runs inside. When she returns, she’s carrying a bag. “I made some chicken and dumplings for you. I know how much you like those, and it’s the perfect weather. Also, I just fed Sassy, so she doesn’t need anything until tomorrow.”
“I love you. Thank you for takin’ care of my baby,” Everleigh says.
“I’m so happy you’re okay. Take care of her, Archer,” Mimi says as she leans in and hugs Everleigh.
“Yes, ma’am. You know I will.” I grin, and we say goodbye.
Sassy stays close to Everleigh during the short drive. After we pull into the driveway, I walk around the car and help Everleigh stand. Sassy jumps out and stays next to her. I wrap an arm around Everleigh and guide her to the door.
“Home sweet home.” She sucks in a deep breath and smiles when we walk inside. “I’m so glad to be here.”
“Me too. I hate hospitals,” I say matter-of-factly.
“Then why did you stay with me?”
“Because I love you and wanted to be close to you.”
Everleigh’s face softens. “You hungry?”
“I’m starving. I’ve eaten garbage for days.”
“I’ll go grab the food from the car,” I tell her, then run outside. Once I’m back in the kitchen, I grab two large bowls and spoons. “Geez, she sent enough to feed a small army.” I remove several large containers filled to the brim. “And even then, I could down all of this on my own.” Everleigh chuckles.
There’s at least a gallon of soup here. I glance up at her. “No way.”
“Yeah, I literally become a dumpling afterward.” She snickers.
As I fill our bowls, gigantic dumplings splash liquid on the counter.
“I should’ve warned ya about that,” she says. “They can be messy.”
“Wanna sit on the couch?” I ask, and she nods. I carry our dishes into the living room, then hand hers over once she’s settled with some pillows. Sassy lies on the floor and stares at us with begging eyes.
I taste the first spoonful, and my eyes go wide. “Wow, this is the best soup I’ve ever had.”
“Wait.” Everleigh stops eating. “You’ve never had chicken and dumplings before?”
“Not like this. The ones I’ve had tasted like chicken noodle soup with slivers or something.”
Her jaw nearly falls to the floor. “We’ve got to introduce you to more Southern delicacies. That’s just a travesty. For real.”
I start laughing. “You’re serious about this, aren’t you?”
“Abso-fucking-lutely! Mimi’s dumplings are the world's greatest,” she claims, taking a huge bite out of a fat piece of dough. “Don’t tell Belinda I said that, but hers don’t touch Mimi’s. She gave me the recipe to make my own, but they didn’t turn out the same. I swear she uses a secret ingredient.”
I chuckle. “I’m so relieved you’re home.”
She leans into me. “I’ve missed your warmth.”
“I’ve missed your leg being dead weight on top of mine. And grabbing your ass in the mornings.”
“I’ve missed your cock inside me.”
I nearly choke. “About that...”
“Oh, you better not be breaking it off with me. I’ve been through enough bullshit already,” she warns.
“Never. But it’s another reason you need to take it easy and recover quicker.”
“So you can break me all over again?”
I smirk. “You better believe it, sweetheart. No sex until you recover.”
She gives me a look of disapproval. “We’ll see about that.”
After we’re finished eating, Everleigh asks if we can watch a movie. Sassy jumps on the couch, and we cover up with a blanket. She snuggles in close to me, and I gently hold her.
“Scary or funny?” she asks, clicking on the Netflix app.
“Lady’s choice.”
She gives me an evil grin as she starts the first episode of a Ted Bundy documentary. I chuckle at her choice, but then my mind wanders. I think about the woman who stabbed Everleigh, then my thoughts move to Krystal—who I’m still concerned about getting her revenge.
I press my lips to her forehead and she lets out a small sigh of contentment. “This won’t ever get old.”