The Girl's Got Secrets (Forbidden Men 7)

My throat felt a little choked up, so I had to clear it and glance away as Pick kept talking.

“It doesn’t matter where we came from. We both rose above it and came into our own...on our own. And I am so damn proud of the man you’ve turned yourself into. There is nothing and no reason you shouldn’t have a full, content life with the people you care for most in it. I love you, brother. You’re a good person, and you deserve happiness.” He let go of my neck to thump me on the back. “Now, go get it.”

I came awake to the soft strum of a guitar. In the background, a hospital monitor beeped and air packs around my ankles hissed out a sound as they released pressure.

Turning my face to the melody of the guitar, I blinked Asher into focus as he sat to my right, playing for me. My lashes felt gritty and my throat raw, reminding me what had happened.

The chocolates, I realized. Someone had given me chocolates with some kind of peanuts hidden in them. But I wasn’t too concerned about that now. I was awake, un-swollen, and breathing again, so I guessed things were bien.

For the moment, I just wanted to listen to Asher play to me. The tune was unusual, reminding me a lot of “Hey There Delilah” by the Plain White T’s...and yet a little different. I didn’t think I’d heard it before.

And then he began to sing.

I wake up early with your breath

falling on the pillow next to mine.

Another night spent in your arms

and I know this day’s just fine.

Yes, it is.

‘Cause there’s this promise in your smile

that no matter what tomorrow brings,

I’ll make it through the mile,

with you there, right by my side.

Oh...I can do anything with you there, right by my side.

Sometimes I hold back the words

that I want to say to you,

because this thing that we’ve started

is way too fresh and too new.

Oh...oh, oh, oh, oh. Right by my side.

But there’s this promise in your smile

that no matter what tomorrow brings,

I’ll make it through the mile

With you there, right by my side.

I can do anything, anything at all, when I know

You’ll be there on the morrow

Standing at my side.

You’ve already taught me how to love,