Half Empty (First Wives #2)

Rick nodded. “They’re used to it. As long as you don’t get in the way.”

“They were strict the first night here. Ten-minute visits at the top of the hour.”

“Avery’s stable now, and we pulled several strings.” Rick stretched. “I’ll be back in thirty minutes.”

Wade took a deep breath, walked into Avery’s room, and forgot his smile.

“Sweet Jesus,” he said under his breath.

Trina had warned him, but he didn’t imagine the blonde pit bull could ever look this bad. The bandages on her face were pristine white, while her skin sported every color of the rainbow.

“At least pretend it’s not that bad,” Avery said as her one unswollen eye landed on him.

He painted on an instant grin.

Avery rolled that same eye.

“Oh, darlin’. What can we do?”

There was a male nurse in the room, putting something in Avery’s IV.

Her voice was muted due to what looked like something stuck up her swollen nose.

“How about a hamburger?”

Wade was ready to call a personal chef.

“No can do. Surgery is scheduled first thing in the morning,” the nurse told her.

“That means I can eat until midnight,” she argued slowly.

“Jell-O and juice.”

“Killjoy.”

“What surgery?” Trina asked.

“I’m getting a nose job.” Avery tried to smile.

“She started bleeding, which is why her nose is packed. The surgeon wanted to get it taken care of tomorrow.”

“Is she ready for that?”

“No,” Avery argued. “But blood tastes like crap, so bring on the fix. I want this over with so I can get out of here and find the bastard who did this and kick their ass.”

Wade smiled at the fight in her.

“I think you’re going to have to stand in line,” Trina said before looking at one of her legs, which was propped up on pillows.

“That will have to wait, then.”

“How is the pain?” Trina asked.

“Better now that they gave me this button.” Avery lifted her one good hand to display said button. She pressed it several times in a row.

The nurse laughed. “You can press it all you want, it will only deliver a small dose every hour.”

“Stupid thing is broken.” Avery let it go in her lap.

“Someone is chatty enough to leave the ICU,” the nurse said.

“As long as the nurses in the next unit are as cute as you,” Avery teased.

“I told you I have a girlfriend.”

“I told you I don’t care.”

Wade was laughing now.

The nurse glanced at him and then Trina. “Yup, she’s not sick enough to stay here.”

“That’s really good news.”

Avery sighed. “Man, I feel like shit.”

“You’re awake enough to tell me that, so I feel better,” the nurse said.

“Masochist.”

“Wade, this is Doug, by the way. I told him I’d introduce you,” Trina said.

Wade stepped forward and extended his hand. The man had to be in his late twenties, maybe early thirties. “My pleasure,” Wade told him. “Thanks for taking such great care of our girl.”

“I’m a huge fan.”

“You’re a masochistic, hamburger denying, cute fan,” Avery corrected.

“That’s more than I got out of her when we first met,” Wade told Doug.

Doug laughed. “I, ah . . . I had my girlfriend bring over my guitar. Any chance I can get you to sign it?”

“Absolutely, bring it out.”

“That’d be awesome. I’ll go grab it. Thanks, Mr. Thomas.”

The professional nurse one minute, fan guy the next, hustled out of the room as if Wade would change his mind.

Avery turned toward Trina. “Did Bernie stop by earlier?”

“Yes, he did.”

“Did I say anything bad?”

Trina patted her hand. “No. You were fine.”

“Remind me to ask how you two met once you’re out of here,” Wade said.

“Strip club,” Avery said without missing a beat. “I was the stripper, he owned the club.”

Wade glanced at Trina. “Is she serious?”

“You’re gullible and she’s on drugs.” Trina laughed.

“Sit down, you’re making me nervous,” Avery demanded.

“Yes, ma’am.” Wade took a vacant chair on the opposite side of the bed from Trina.

“Rick said the police were coming back.”

“Yeah,” Trina confirmed.

“I don’t remember anything. You went to a party . . .”

“Right, at Wade’s house in Texas.”

“I-I was . . . Fedor’s watch.”

Trina sat forward. “Right. You were taking the watches here to have the auction house appraise and advise. Do you remember which one you went to?”

“I barely remember driving in. God, this sucks.”

Trina patted her hand. “It’s okay. The doctors think it will come back.”

“I hope so.”

Wade wasn’t so sure that was a good idea, considering the mess her body was in because of another human being. He couldn’t imagine anyone beating a woman. Seeing Avery in that bed made him realize the threat against Trina was more than just show. He’d chuckled at white on rice, but now he got it. Really got it, and he didn’t plan on giving anyone the chance of doing this to her.

Doug returned to the room, an acoustic guitar in his hand. Behind him, a couple of the other nurses stood by, watching. “You sure this is okay?” Doug asked.

Wade accepted the guitar and winked. “My pleasure. How long have you been playing?”

“A couple years. It’s just a hobby. Helps me relax after a busy shift.”

“Fenders are one of my favorites,” Wade told him. He strummed the strings and tuned the A before strumming again. “They have a great sound.” Wade moved his fingers over the strings like he was born to do. When he looked up to see Avery smiling and Trina beaming, he decided it wouldn’t hurt to hum a few bars.

I want a woman who tastes like whiskey and sips like wine . . .

A woman who smiles like sunshine and laughs like spring . . .

Everyone says you won’t find love if you’re searching for her . . .

I swear I’m not lookin’ but you’re not there . . .

All I need is your heart . . .

All I want is your love . . .

Stop looking for me, darlin’, I’m standing right here.

Trina tilted her head and listened to him with a smile that angels blessed, and Wade kept singing.

I want a woman who smiles at children and cries in the rain . . .

A woman who melts in my arms and calls out my name . . .

Everyone says you won’t find love when you’re searching for her . . .

I swear I’m not lookin’ but you’re not there . . .

All I need is your heart . . .

All I want is your love . . .

He could see other nurses and visitors gathering outside the door, but all Wade saw was Trina’s glittering eyes.

I want to stand there with you in the morning light . . .

Fall asleep beside you after talkin’ all night . . .

I want to find you, darlin’, and give you all of my heart . . .

I need to find you, baby, and share all of my love . . .

So please stop searchin’, honey, and let fate have a spin.

I’ll stop lookin’, sweetheart, and we’ll let love slip in.

Cuz everyone says you won’t find love when you’re searchin’ . . .

All I want to give you is all of my heart . . .

All I want from you is all of your love . . .

Stop searchin’ for me, baby . . .

And I’ll stop lookin’ for you . . .

I’m standing right here, honey, starin’ at you.

He let the last chord fade off as he ended the song. Moisture gathered behind Trina’s eyes, and Wade’s heart skipped several beats.

Applause snapped him out of his daze.

“Okay,” Avery said as the clapping came to a close. “You can date her, but you can’t marry her.”

“Avery!” Trina scolded.

“He wrote that song forever ago. He has to write one for you first.”

Wade slid the guitar to his lap and took the pen Doug handed him. “I’m going to have to write a song about my girlfriend’s pit bull.”

Trina laughed.

“Now we’re talking,” Avery agreed.



The phone in the penthouse suite woke them up at seven in the morning.

Trina had fallen asleep in Wade’s arms after talking most of the night. Their afternoon nap had left them with more energy, which they put to good use. It helped that an early morning wasn’t necessary, since Avery was headed for surgery before the first cup of coffee.

Wade rolled over, pulled the phone to his ear. “Yeah?”