After his meteoric rise to superstardom, Jim O'Brien is no longer a small-town boy who plays in bars and dreams of success. His handsome face is plastered on the covers of celebrity gossip magazines, and his voice alone is enough to make girls swoon...
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When we arrived at Harris Memorial, Dad took Jim to do some tests, leaving me in the room where Jim would spend the night. I sat in a chair by the bed and closed my eyes, surrendering to the tiredness.
Falling asleep would be easy, but I needed to know what happened to Jim's back. I lifted myself off the chair with a sigh and went to get a cup of coffee. Had Harper been at the hospital, I would've rushed to talk to her, but she was still away at a conference.
Memories attacked me while I navigated the deserted hallways, flashing me back to the night when I met Jim. The "ordinary girl meets a superstar in disguise" trope would make a good book, except it was very much real. It was my life, and unlike in romance novels, where the happily ever after was guaranteed, I had no clue about the way our story would end.
The caffeine from the famous green machine infused some energy into my exhausted body. I loitered next to the steel box for a while before going back to the room.
The sound of male voices floated in the empty hallway. As I pushed the door open, I saw Jim in bed and my dad sitting in a chair by his side.
My eyes landed on the IV attached to Jim's arm. I looked at my dad.
"Just some painkillers." He smiled. "It was a bad fall, but Jim will get better in a week or so."
"A week?"
Jim chuckled. "I'm okay. Just need some time for the inflammation and pain to go away. Thank you, doctor Morris."
Dad got up from the chair. "You're welcome. No physical exercise for now, Jim. You're staying, aren't you?" Dad looked at me.
I smiled. "If that's okay."
Dad approached me and hugged me tightly, kissing my cheek. "More than. I'll go home but will come back in the morning to check on Jim. Go easy on the guy."
"Of course," I said, watching Dad exit the room.
"Come here," Jim whispered as soon as the door closed.
I walked up to the chair and perched on it.
A smile lifted the corners of Jim's mouth. "Ava. Not there. Get in bed with me."
"Are you sure?"
"I would throw you over my shoulder if I could, but since I can't, just come here."
I kicked off my sneakers and took off my jacket before climbing onto the bed and lying by Jim's side. "Has anyone told you you're bossy?"
Jim caressed my cheek with his free hand. "You did. You might even like it."
"I guess I have to take the whole package." I smiled at Jim.
"You should definitely take the whole package, but you need to wait till I recover."
