Adios Pantalones (Fisher Brothers 3)

Groggy, I took in my surroundings and noticed a second chair, where Grant sat with his chin on his chest, snoring. He looked so comfortable, even though I knew there was no way that he could be.

Suddenly, the puzzle pieces inside my head connected, and I realized I was in a hospital. I lay my head back on the pillow, searching for the reason why, but I had no memory of what happened to land me here.

Afraid to close my eyes again in case they decided not to open, I stared up at the ceiling and tried harder to remember. Why was I here, and where were my parents?

Think Sofia, think, I chastised myself, knowing the answers were in my head somewhere. Bits and pieces flashed in my mind, but all I saw was Derek and me taking a curve way too fast.

Parched, I looked at the table near my bed, hoping to find a glass of water and thankful to see one there. But when I moved to grab it, I knocked it over, sending the plastic cup bouncing to the floor. Liquid splashed all over the white tile, and I cursed under my breath as Ryan’s eyes shot open and Grant startled awake.

“Angel.” Ryan sounded so relieved as our eyes met across the room. He struggled to move, but with Matson sleeping in his arms, he was momentarily stuck.

“She’s my angel, pipsqueak,” Grant said in a low voice, his tone teasing. He pushed himself awkwardly out of his chair, avoiding the spilled water on the floor as he came to my side. “Hey there, sweet girl. How are you feeling?”

“A little groggy,” I answered honestly before being struck with an odd thought. “This is how we all started.” I looked between Grant and Ryan and tried to smile.

“Come again?” Grant tilted his head.

“In a hospital. The three of us,” I said, trying to explain, but was afraid I wasn’t making any sense.

“Don’t tell me you forgot, old man,” Ryan whispered from the chair, where he still hadn’t figured out how to get up without waking up Matson.

Grant flipped him off. “I didn’t forget; I just didn’t know what was she was talking about. She did hit her head, you know.”

I reached for my head and pressed my hand against it, wincing with the pain. Ow. Deciding to ask more about that later, I moved my hand back to my stomach.

“I’m sorry I woke you both. I really wanted that water.” I almost started crying, but I had no idea why. I was really confused. And thirsty.

“I’ll get you some.” Ryan finally maneuvered Matson out of his arms and placed him gently on the chair before shaking his arm out.

“Asleep?” I asked.

> His arm had to be. Every time Matson fell asleep with me on the couch, it always made my arm fall dead asleep. But I refused to move it, because holding him was worth the pain. One day he wouldn’t want to snuggle with me anymore, so all the pins-and-needles discomfort was worth it.

“Killing me.” Ryan walked over to me, giving Grant a little shove before leaning down to give me a kiss. “I’m so glad you’re okay. Let me get you that water, and then we’ll talk.”

“All right.”

Ryan returned in seconds with a nurse in tow. She smiled when she saw I was awake.

“How are you feeling?”

“Fine, I think. Just thirsty.” And foggy and confused, but I kept that part to myself.

“Ryan mentioned that.”

The nurse cast him a flirty glance, and instead of being annoyed, I was amused by it. That man wanted to be with me. He held my son in his arms. I had nothing to worry about when it came to him and other women.

She bent down to clean up the water I’d spilled, and filled a clean cup before handing it to me. “How’s your head?” she asked, and I didn’t make the mistake of touching it again.

“Sore, but manageable.”

“Just press that button if it starts to hurt.” She lifted a handheld controller and placed it in my hand.

“Thanks.” I dropped it beside me, wishing she would leave so I could figure out what happened, how long I’d been here, and where my parents were.

She took her sweet time as she checked my vitals and fussed over me, no doubt wanting attention from Ryan. But he refused to even make eye contact with her as he walked to my bed and sat on the edge of it, reaching for my hand and bringing it to his lips.

“Okay,” she finally said. “I’m going now.”