“Never.” She insisted.
“Never will I stop or never will you miss it.” Nick asked from behind her and she looked over her shoulder at him.
“Does it matter?” She asked and he didn’t answer her, just stared at her.
“Did anyone call Pete, and see how my business is? I can’t let Riverdale Ink rot while I lay here.” Jake said.
“I did. Pete says everything is under control. Don’t worry about the shop we’ll take care of it. You just get your rest.” Luke said sincerely.
“You want me to get you the pot?” Joe asked from his seat. All eyes wandered to him, and Jake chuckled.
“Joe!” Deb shouted outraged.
“What? Like you don’t know they did the pot back in the day? At least now he has a reason!” He argued innocently, then looked at Jake and raised one brow, telepathically sending the question to him again.
“Thanks Dad, but I’m good.” Jake said as he laughed.
“Open offer, if you need it. I know a guy.” His father said very nonchalantly.
“You know a guy?” Deb asked him as if the concept was completely absurd.
“You know what? You guys have had a really long day. Why don’t we go to the cafeteria and get you guy’s something to eat?” Sam offered, trying to defuse the tension. Joe jumped up at the sound of food.
“We’ll be back.” Sam said, and looped one arm around Joe’s and the other around Deb’s.
“I’ll go along with you.” Nick said, following Joe, not giving Sam a chance to deny him.
“Are you sure you don’t need us?” Deb asked over her shoulder, as Sam tried to usher her out.
“Are you going to offer me pot too?” Jake asked teasingly and watched as Sam dragged their parents out of the room.
“You better get your ass better, they’re driving us nuts.” Luke said and sat on the foot of his bed.
“Have you been here all day?” Jake asked his brother and Luke simply shrugged. “Go home Luke, I’m fine. Ava needs you. She doesn’t get what’s going on. So go spend some time with her and give her a kiss from her favorite uncle.”
Luke looked at him for a moment. “Are you sure?”
“I’m positive. Besides, you’re the only one left here and I can’t convince my sweetheart to get naughty in my hospital bed with you standing right there.” Cara blushed even though they all knew Jake was kidding. He was too exhausted to lift his head much less attempt to do anything else.
“Okay. I’ll leave you to it then.” Luke said and stood up. He looked at Cara. “If you guys need anything, just call me.” She nodded, but didn’t take her eyes off of Jake.
Jake waited until Luke left the room before he looked at Cara, mustering up a smile. “You’re awfully quiet, second thoughts?”
“Never.” She said taken back. “That’s the last time you get to ask me that, you got that?” She demanded, and he smiled.
“Okay.” He tried a different angle. “You can’t be mad at Luke forever. He was only doing what I stupidly asked of him.”
“I’m not mad at Luke.” She said as she sat on the edge of his bed, and he scooted over giving her room.
“If you say so.” He said as he reached up and touched her cheek. “Will you lay down with me?”
“I’d do anything for you.” She whispered, and did as he requested. She lay beside him, nestled in the crook of his arm. “You did it baby, you took the first step.” She said as she laced her fingers with his.
He closed his eyes and rested his head on top of hers. “Because of you. With you in my corner, I feel like I can do anything.” He barely finished his sentence, as his breathing became labored. Cara knew he was fast asleep, just by the way his breathing changed. She sighed heavily, and laid her head to his chest. She let the sound of his heart beating be the lullaby that lulled her to sleep.
Chapter Nineteen