Fanning the Biker's Flame - Piper Davenport Page 0,41
Dylan was my ever-faithful companion, and I’d discovered he was exceptionally good at following instructions. He’d made the studio look cleaner and more organized than it had in a while, and it meant I had more time to breathe.
Shadow was still working, so I had no idea when I’d see him tonight, but at least I knew he was safe and no longer dealing with a four-alarm fire.
“You never stop moving, do you?” Dylan said.
I sighed. “Not when I’m worried, no.”
“Take a load off.” He patted the seat next to him. “Sharon’ll be back before you know it.”
Before I could flop down, the elevator doors opened and an orderly wheeled Sharon back to her room.
“What did they say?” I asked.
“Gotta wear a damn boot,” she complained.
“It’s broken?” I asked, following her into the room.
“Hairline fracture.”
The orderly lifted her into bed, and I helped smooth her blankets as I asked, “Are you in a lot of pain?”
“They gave me morphine,” she said.
“A nurse will be in to check on you soon, Ms. Warman.”
“Thanks, Sonny,” Sharon said, and the orderly left the room. “You don’t need to fuss, honey.”
“Yes, I do,” I said. “Can I get you anything?”
“I’m good, Posey.”
“Did the smoke hurt your lungs?”
“They treated me for smoke inhalation, but things are clear now. I’m more concerned about when I can go home.”
“Let me figure that out,” I said.
“Sweetie, I may not have anywhere to go if the apartment’s ruined.”
“As long as I have breath, you will always have a place to go.”
She smiled gently. “I appreciate that, but you aren’t going to want an old lady hangin’ around.”
“Who’s the old lady?” I retorted. Sharon yawned and I patted her hand. “Sleep for now. We’ll make sure you’re taken care of.”
She was already asleep, so I didn’t know how much of that she heard. I peeked into the hall to tell Dylan I was going to be here a while and found him talking to Shadow.
Shadow held his hand out to me, and I walked over to him, wrapping my arms around his waist.
“Hi,” I breathed out.
“Hey, baby. How’s Sharon?”
“She’s got a hairline fracture and she might be homeless. She’s fantastic.”
“Her home is destroyed, honey. She’s definitely homeless. At least, for the moment.”
“Shit,” I breathed out.
He gave me a squeeze. “I might have a temporary housing option for her, but we can talk about that later.”
“I’d rather she had a place to go long-term. I’d hate for her to have to move multiple times.”
“We’ll figure it out, Posey. We’ve got a couple of days.”
“She can stay with me if need be.”
“Where?” he challenged.
“She can take my bed. I’ll take the couch.”
“Let’s not make any rash decisions,” Shadow countered.
I smiled up at him. “You don’t mind sharing the sofa, do you?”
He patted my bottom. “Like I said, let’s not make any rash decisions.”
“She’s asleep, but I’m going to sit with her, okay?”
“Yeah,” he said. “Dylan and I’ll work on finding her a place to go.”
“Thanks, honey.”
He kissed me quickly then I slipped back into Sharon’s room. She slept for another two hours, waking up in a great deal of pain. She pressed the call button but no one answered, so I squeezed her hand.
“I’ll get the doctor,” I said, and walked into the hall.
“You okay?” Shadow asked, pushing up from one of the chairs.
“Sharon’s in pain,” I said. “You’re still here?”
“If you’re here, I’m here.” He smiled. “You go back in and I’ll find a doctor.”
“Thanks.”
I stepped back into the room and a nurse arrived not long after.
“You’re in pain, huh?” the nurse asked, pulling up Sharon’s chart on her iPad. “I can give you morphine, if you’d like.”
“Yes, please,” Sharon rasped.
“Please hurry,” I begged. I didn’t like seeing my friend in pain.
The nurse injected Sharon’s IV and she relaxed, smiling as her eyes closed again. This made me relax and I sat by her side until Shadow peeked his head into the room and quietly called my name.
I walked out to the hallway and pulled the door closed. “Are you leaving?”
He frowned. “I’m not leaving you here by yourself, Posey.”
“You’re not?”
“No. What kind of man do you think I am?”
“Um… I’m not sure how to answer that,” I admitted. “I wouldn’t think any less of you if you headed home.”
“Well, I would.”
“I signed up to hang out here with Sharon,” I pointed out. “I don’t expect you to blow up your whole schedule as well.”
He reached out and squeezed my chin gently. “I’m not going to dignify that with a response.”
I