Thanks to him, I’m stronger than I was when I first showed up in this city.
If his gift was heartbreak, I’ll mend it by building a life worth living.
22
Bird Of Yore (Lincoln)
I forgot how cozy the guesthouse can be until I brought Wyatt home.
It made sense and it gives him plenty of space while he recovers. Plus, the place is single level, so it’s easier to take care of him until then.
The nurse steps out of Wyatt’s room.
“How’s he doing today?”
“Definitely better. His vitals look excellent today. I’ll be back in the evening to check in,” she tells me.
“Is he awake?”
She smiles. “Yeah, you can go on in. I’m sure he’ll love the company.”
I walk her to the door, and once she’s gone, I retrace my steps and enter Wyatt’s room. He’s sitting up in the bed, leaning against the frame, only half as ghost-white as he was a few weeks ago.
I grin. “This is the longest I’ve seen you up. Looks like you’ll be running around in no time.”
He looks at me but doesn’t say anything.
“The nurse says you’re doing better. With any luck, you should—”
“Lincoln Burns, you are a fucking idiot,” he growls, cutting me off.
I can’t say I mind the insult. I haven’t heard him talk smack since before he got sick. If I needed a real sign, here it is.
“Good morning to you too?” I roll my eyes. “At least I know you’re feeling better.”
“I said you’re a damn idiot,” he snaps, pulling at his newly trimmed beard.
“I heard you the first time, pal.”
He holds my gaze.
I fold my arms. “Am I supposed to ask why you’re calling me stupid?”
“How long have you been glued to my side?”
“Glued to your side?” I don’t follow.
“Telling me old war stories like I didn’t live through that shit with you, and bad jokes that are never funny for anyone but you. Can’t remember the last time I heard something besides your voice.”
“You’re talking about the coma? I didn’t want to leave you hanging, and I figured if you could hear anything while you were out cold, I thought you’d appreciate the entertainment.”
“Burns, you have a life to live. You were finally starting to do something besides work.” He huffs out a breath. “What happened to Raven?”
“Raven?”
“Blondie. Worker bee. The chick with the raven tattoo.”
My lips turn up.
“Nevermore, you mean.” Then I remember she’s truly never more and my smile vanishes. “I—well—it didn’t work out.”
“Why not?”
Fuck.
I stare at him, unblinking.
“Why didn’t it work out?” he repeats. “She had a husband she forgot to mention? Because anything short of that, and you’re one dumb bastard.”
“I ruined it, okay? Are you satisfied?” I bite off. “It was bringing out the worst in me and I left her in a good place. She’s in management now.”
I clamp my jaw shut, not telling him I’m basically out the door. He might have a heart attack if he hears I’m no longer on the corporate train.
Wyatt chuckles. “What the hell ever. I don’t doubt you left her better off than you found her. That’s not the point.”
“What is?”
“Your voice is almost cracking like a sixteen-year-old kid just talking about her, man. I might be stuck in bed, but shit. If I find out I’m the reason you dropped that girl, I will beat you to such a fucking pulp you’ll wish like hell I’d left you buried in Iraq.”
I snort at how ridiculous he sounds.
“You’re a Nevermore fan, huh?”
He glares at me. “I’m a Burns fan. And you don’t have many of ’em who aren’t interested in your bank account, so it might benefit you to tune in and listen for once, you stubborn cock.”
“Those drugs make you nicer than usual,” I grumble sarcastically.
“Without them, I’d be dead because I’m dealing with you. Now tell me what happened with Raven.”
I cross the room and drop down on the window seat next to him.
“I won’t deny I miss her. Walking away from her was hard as hell, but it’s for the best. Trust me.” I shrug quickly. “It was going to hurt far worse later, if I’d let her linger.”
“Uh—I’m the guy on drugs. What kind of hurt you mean?”
“The kind you know,” I say, trying to be gentle and failing. My gaze hardens. “You loved Olivia more than life, way back. She came to the hospital one time while you were sick, and only then because I threatened her with everything I could think of if she didn’t bring Micha. You loved her so much and she just fucking abandoned you. How can anybody believe in love after that?”
“She saw me three times.”
He’s confused. I shake my head sharply.
“She came once, Wyatt.”
“Nah, she came again the next day, before they had to catch a flight. She apologized for everything. For such a brilliant man, you can be one dense motherfucker.”