Make It Right by Megan Erickson Read Free Book Online

patches held cakes of dried mud, but she wrapped it around her legs, thankful for the extra layer because the cold was no friend to her left leg.
    “Thanks,” she said, wishing she could ease the chill in her bones. Although she knew it wasn’t only from the cold, but the thought of Nick, battered and bruised.
    She wanted to punch something.
    He’d left the library early because she encouraged him to do so rather than work the rest of his shift and wait for his girlfriend. What if she’d just kept quiet? Would he have been at the wrong place at the wrong time? Or would he and Trish both be in the hospital as patients right now? She clenched her fists in the blanket that smelled so strongly of Max.
    They pulled into the drive of the hospital and Max drove right to the front doors.
    “You can’t park here.” Lea said, peering out the window.
    He leaned back in his seat. “I know, I’m dropping you off.”
    “You don’t have to do that.” Although, the ache in her leg was killing her now, the result of not stretching properly after her workout, then sitting in a cold, cramped car.
    “I know, but now you can get in there and find out where he is while I park. I’ll meet you in there, okay?”
    “I can get a ride back with Trish or something . . .”
    He shook his head and nodded toward the door, his voice soft but firm. “Lea, please get out of the car. I’ll be in as soon as I can, and I’ll take you home.”
    This was weird, the way he looked at her. The bright lights of the hospital shone into the depths of his dark eyes.
    Earlier today, she wanted to deck him, and in the last hour, he’d allowed her to lean on him, physically and emotionally. He’d provided a much-needed ride and even noticed she was cold and offered a blanket, for God’s sakes.
    None of that aligned with the brash, cocky flirt he usually appeared to be. She wondered which was the act, but she thought she knew. And when her mind was clear and not on Nick, she’d examine it further.
    She realized she’d been sitting there, silently, staring at him as he stared back at her. “Um, okay,” she mumbled, awkwardly trying to fold the blanket, which was stupid because it was dirty and it’s previous home was in a heap in the back of the cab. She swiped her bangs out of her eyes and wrenched open the truck door. “See you inside.”
    Max nodded, and she lowered herself out of the truck, then slammed it behind her. He didn’t pull away until she was past the security guard and inside the hospital.
    Once inside, she texted Trish, asking if Nick had been admitted yet. Trish texted back the room number and Lea asked directions from the help desk before sinking into a stiff hospital chair in the lobby to wait for Max.
    She didn’t have to wait long. Max walked into the lobby with purpose, his cheeks red from the cold, his chest rising and falling rapidly so Lea got the impression he ran from the parking lot. Or at least jogged.
    He spotted her and walked over, hands on his hips. “You know where he is?”
    “Room 428.”
    He made to walk to the help desk, but Lea placed a hand on his arm. “I already asked, we just have to take the North Tower elevators over there to the fourth floor.”
    “Good job, doll.” He guided her forward with just two fingers on her lower back. And why did those three words, said in an approving tone, make her feel warmer than that stupid blanket? Since when did she care at all about what Max thought of her?
    Since he was there for you , a voice in her head whispered, but she ignored that, too. Another item on her mental checklist to analyze later in private.
    They were the only two on the elevator. Max leaned back, bracing himself with spread arms on the silver bar, legs spread, eyes on the digital numbers over the doors in front of them. He was a picture of placid while Lea’s insides stormed. She tried to be inconspicuous as she leaned a little into his arm, the warmth of it like a comforting brand across