Craving Lucy by Terri Anne Browning Read Free Book Online Page B

Jesse Thornton to love and protect me.
    I glanced over her shoulder to take a look at my dad. He didn’t look like he’d just beaten some guy to death so I released a relieved sigh. When Harris had said he’d texted my dad and was letting him deal with the douchebag that had said those disgusting things to me, I was sure that the next time I saw Jesse he’d be behind bars wearing an ugly orange jumpsuit.
    When he caught my gaze his ever-changing brown eyes were full of concern. “You sure you’re okay?”
    “Honest, Daddy. I’m fine.” My mom stepped back and Dad moved forward, wrapping his arms around me in a hard hug.
    When he finally released me after what felt like the longest hug in the history of hugs, he turned his eyes on Harris. “Thanks for taking care of my baby girl.” He held out his hand and Harris readily shook it. “And thanks for letting me handle the preppy.”
    “Is he still breathing?” Harris asked with a smirk.
    “Emmie wouldn’t let me touch him,” Jesse grumbled. “His nose was still bleeding and one of his eyes had swollen shut from the broken nose. But he pretty much pissed his pants when Nik and I walked in.”
    “I’m surprised you didn’t take Drake and Shane with you, too, just to really scare the guy.” I sat on the small gurney and Layla took the chair Harris had been in all evening.
    “Drake and Lana have the twins,” Layla told me. “And Shane is with Harper in Paris until the weekend. Trust me, baby. Drake wanted to go, but between Lana and the girls they wouldn’t let him leave the house. You need to text him and let him know you’re okay.”
    My teeth sank into my bottom lip. I hated that Drake was upset over this. Damn, I never should have left the house tonight. “O-okay,” I murmured and pulled my phone from my back pocket. I’d turned the ringer off earlier because everyone was blowing it up, so when I saw all the missed texts and calls from everyone in my family my heart clenched. Five of the missed calls were from Lana and Drake’s home number.
    Before I could even slide my finger over their number, the door opened and in walked Dr. Levin with the slutty Nurse Frost. With three people already in the small room, the doctor and nurse made me feel almost claustrophobic in there, but I wasn’t about to ask anyone of them to leave… Except for the nurse who was still eyeballing my boyfriend. That bitch had to go.
    The doctor’s eyes went from me to my parents, lingering appreciatively on my mom for a few seconds longer than my dad liked, given the way he growled at the guy. Dr. Levin quickly shifted his gaze away. “The x-rays look good. No fractures. Your hand is just badly sprained, Miss Thornton. Sometimes that can feel just as bad if not worse than an actual break. Nurse Frost is going to put a soft cast on to keep the hand immobile, but I suggest following up with your regular doctor next week.”
    The nurse stepped forward with the soft cast and some paperwork, which she handed to Layla to sign. When everything was taken care of, the nurse walked us out to the waiting room where Kin and Jace were still waiting with Aunt Emmie and Nik. Marcus went to get my SUV, but Jesse told him to just drive it on home. I guess I was riding with them.
    “Everything okay?” Aunt Emmie asked as she wrapped her arms around me but her question was directed at my mom and dad.
    “Nothing broken,” Jesse assured her. “Follow up with her regular doctor.” Nik handed him cup of coffee and he drained the small cup in one swallow. “Fuck, that’s weak.”
    “Sorry, bro. Not everyone believes in making coffee so strong you could eat it with a spoon.” Nik took his turn hugging me before grasping Aunt Emmie’s hand. “Let’s go home.”
    I looked up at Harris who was standing with Jace. They had both ridden with me and Kin in the Range Rover, but since my dad had sent Marcus on home I didn’t know how they were going to get home or back to the club. A glance at