Page 9 of For All My Effort

Jackson was adjusting the sarape blanket around me, tucking the edges over my legs so that it was tight, although not to the point that the fabric over my thighs was taut. “No point arguing.”

Again, I groaned, although that time it was mostly because he was right. I couldn’t leave until the doctor discharged me, no matter how much I didn’t want to be there anymore. The bed wasn’t comfortable, the room still smelled more like chemicals than my mates, and I hated staring at these walls constantly. Not even the TV was enough to distract me.

Fortunately, Zeke and Han showed back up. My attention zeroed in on the clear plastic cups in Han’s hands. One was a dark purple while the other was a dark brown. He came to sit right next to me, holding out both options. “One is a berry blast, the other is a chocolate pumpkin.”

“Which one is yours?”

He smiled, almost like my question amused him. “Whichever one you don’t want.”

“Really?”

“Mhm.”

I might not have remembered Han, but even I knew he was acting weird. Glancing over at the others to see if they noticed, I realized they were all sort of smiling. Zeke was actually looking down at the floor, his lips pressed tightly together like he was stopping himself from laughing. There was obviously some sort of inside joke that I was missing.

“Berry, please.” Han handed over the purple drink. I could see the seeds from the mixed berries as I used the straw to stir it.

Still sitting on the edge of the bed, I watched Han take a sip of his drink. That one looked good too. Trying my own drink, I had to fight back the urge to spit it out, swallowing as quickly as I could. Even as I licked my lips, I almost shuddered at the echo of the taste.

Did I usually like this one? Was not only my memory broken but a fundamental part of who I was?

“Here.” Han handed his drink over to me, taking mine without asking. “Try this one.”

Obviously, I’d done a shit job of hiding my dislike. He didn’t seem annoyed or concerned, though.

Trying his drink, it was so much better. The chocolate and pumpkin went together so smoothly, it was perfect. Mostly chocolate and sweet, the notes of pumpkin were minimal, just enough to diversify the cocoa from being too much.

“This is so good.” I was chugging the drink. “Are you sure you’re good with that one?”

“Yeah, I like berry. It’s fine.”

“Can’t believe you’re still keeping that place a secret,” Sebastian mumbled. He was smiling though, even winking at me when I glanced in his direction.

I considered offering him a sip of mine. After all, Han hadn’t gotten any for the rest of the pack. The words just seemed to remain on my tongue which was too busy enjoying my drink.

By the time I finished, my stomach felt bloated, and I was satisfyingly full. Turning onto my side, I watched the males talk, teasing each other, their voices becoming part of the background as I drifted off to sleep.

Chapter Four

Finally, after several days in the hospital, bound to the bed except for the few excursions to the bathroom, I was discharged. I was already dressed and sitting in the wheelchair a nurse had brought into the room, demanding I use it until I left hospital property, while the nurse went over the last few notes with my mates.

It was a boring list of what I shouldn’t do, which was basically anything besides staying in bed. No stairs, no being left alone, no greasy foods, no intense exercise. The more she continued to list off my restrictions, the stronger my scent bloomed with my annoyance.

Jackson was behind me, ready to push my chair and stoutly paying attention to every word that left the nurse’s mouth. One of his hands came down onto my shoulder, squeezing in a comforting way. It helped, offering me a distraction to focus on when he started to massage.

I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been touched so casually. And the arousal that came from feeling the heat of his palm against me was stronger than it probably should have been. Just his touch had my stomach fluttering in anticipation. Then his thumb pressed into my back, pleasure spreading lower to my core, making me moan. My eyes shut and my head fell forward in case he wanted more access.

He chuckled, the deep sound only lasting for a moment.

“Well, I—um—I guess that’s everything,” the nurse stuttered along. “Have a nice rest of your day. I hope you feel better soon, Hannah.”

I waved a hand in some form of goodbye as Jackson lifted his hand off my shoulder to grab the chair’s handles. Turning to look up at him, I pouted at the lack of his touch.

“When we get home,” he promised.

I was pushed toward the elevator, Jackson refusing to enter any of the passing options until the box was completely empty. In the reflection of the metal doors, I stared at my mate. He was obviously handsome with his dark, flawless skin and strong facial composition. It helped that he was bulky in a way that made me think watching him work out would be an arousing experience.

More than just his appearance, he never took his hands off the handles, despite being forced to slightly hunch to reach them. Jackson was a protector. I knew that much just from the last few days of watching him.