Spectrum (Stone Society #14) - Faith Gibson Page 0,19

he smiled. “Thank you for that. If you hadn’t been so kind, I wouldn’t have known so quickly Stella needed me.” Zeke kissed the back of Stella’s hand, and she muttered something. It was the first time she’d made a sound since Zeke arrived. “Stella? Open those pretty brown eyes for me, Baby.”

Sunny entered the room and pointed between the three adults. “Only two allowed at a time. Mr. Calhoun, maybe you can come by later?”

“I’m not going anywhere. Stella is—”

“No,” Stella groaned.

Chapter Five

Zeke held his breath, waiting for Stella to make her wishes known.

“See? She wants me here. He needs to go.” Bradley stabbed a finger in Zeke’s direction.

“No. Bradley…” Stella opened her eyes, staring at Zeke. “Zeke. My Zeke.”

“I’m here, Love. I’m sorry I wasn’t here yesterday when this happened.” Zeke prayed Stella could read his sincerity in his eyes.

“That’s right, you weren’t,” Bradley said. “But I was. I’m the one who found her and got her to the hospital. I’m the one who saved her.” Bradley puffed his chest out, and Zeke narrowed his eyes at the human.

“Saved her? Then you saw who did this to her. Who was it? Is he in custody? Did you beat his ass for doing this to Stella?”

“What? No, I… They were already gone when I found her on the side of the road.” Bradley licked his lips. His heart was beating double time, and he was starting to sweat. If Zeke weren’t a Goyle, he wouldn’t be aware of these things. Bradley Calhoun was nervous.

“Right.” Zeke would find out the truth, but it could wait. His mate was awake, and he needed to talk to her.

“Zeke? What did I tell you?” Sunny asked, her hands fisting her hips.

“You’re right. This can wait.” Zeke pulled Stella’s hand to his mouth and kissed her knuckles. “Hey,” he whispered to his mate.

“Hi,” she returned, smiling.

“Mr. Calhoun, you need to leave. At least go sit in the waiting room.” Sunny pointed to the door.

“Stella, Beautiful—”

“No, Bradley. Leave. Now,” Stella managed to say, her voice strained.

“You heard the lady. Out, now.” Sunny pushed against Bradley’s arm until he left the room. Stella’s boss turned at the door, his eyes narrowed on Zeke. Zeke ignored the man and turned his focus to his female.

Sunny asked Sheila to step aside so she could check Stella over. “How’s your pain on a scale of one to ten?”

“Fifteen,” Stella whimpered.

“I’m going to administer extra pain relief,” Sunny said as she turned a small dial on the IV line. “It’ll make you sleepy, but that’s what you need right now. The doctor is on the floor, and he’ll be in to speak with you soon.”

Sheila, who had silently watched the two males, stepped back up to the other side of the bed. “How are you feeling?”

“My head hurts.” Stella hadn’t taken her eyes off Zeke. “You’re really here. I thought I was dreaming.”

“I got here as soon as I could. I sat with you all night, so you may have heard me talking to you.” Stella’s eyelids fluttered like she was fighting sleep. “Rest, Baby. I’ll be here when you wake up.”

“Promise?”

“Yeah, I promise.” Zeke ran his fingertip down her right cheek, and Stella smiled as she closed her eyes. He waited until her breathing evened out, then turned his attention to Sheila. “Tell me about Calhoun.”

Sheila sighed, fussing with the sheet covering Stella. “He’s her boss. The principal at the high school.”

“I know that much. What I don’t know is why he thinks he has a right to her.”

“Like you do? I may have dated your father, but I don’t know you,” Sheila snapped.

“No, you don’t, but Stella does.

“How? You met her Saturday. Bradley has known her for years.”

“So what? They dated? Lived together? Planned a future together?”

“No, it was one date, but—”

“But what? One date does not a relationship make.” Zeke wanted to add she should know that, but being petty wouldn’t win his mate’s mother over to his side.

“And texting does?” Sheila huffed out a breath. “Can we talk about this after we make sure my girl’s going to be okay? It’s up to her who she wants in her life.”

“And you think she wants him?” Zeke pointed to the door Bradley had exited.

“No, I don’t.” Sheila picked up Stella’s hand and cradled it between both of hers. “We talked about you. I have never seen my daughter light up the way she did when you were texting her. Then, after she got home, I called her