Redemption Road (Roughneck #3)

by Nicole Hart

  “I missed those lips,” I said, as I kissed her again.

  “What happened?” Mackenzie asked, as she tried to look around, and then her eyes locked on me.

  “Kash, are you ok?” she whispered. I couldn’t help but smile, she just woke up from a fucking coma and she was worried about me.

  “Baby, I’m fine. Now,” I said, and I couldn’t stop the fucking tears from welling up in my eyes.

  She reached her hand up and touched my face, brushing her fingers across my lips.

  “I love you, Sweetie,” I said, without hesitation. I fucking loved her, and she needed to know it.

  “I love you so fucking much,” I said, and I kissed her fingers that touched my lips, then leaned in and kissed her again.

  Tears welled up in her eyes and her lip started to tremble. No, please don’t cry.

  “You love me?” she asked quietly, her voice so raspy.

  “I love you so much,” I said again. I didn’t care. I would tell her every day for the rest of my fucking life.

  “I love you, Kash,” she said with a weak smile.

  Thank you, God. Thank you.

  “Kash?” she whispered, as I stared at her.

  “Yeah?” I asked, wanting more than anything to scoop her up and squeeze her.

  “I’m so thirsty,” she whispered.

  “Ok,” I said with a smile, and rose up. I turned around to head to the sink and noticed three of the nurses standing there. All three of them were crying, just watching us.

  “She’s thirsty,” I said to them. My baby was thirsty, one of them needed to get their ass in gear.

  “Oh, ok,” the young nurse said, and headed out the door.

  I turned back around to Mackenzie.

  “How do you feel? Are you ok?” I asked.

  “I think I’m ok, I just need to sit up,” she whispered. I pushed the button, doing what she asked, but unable to keep my eyes off of her for very long. I was so glad she was awake.

  The nurse brought back a pitcher of water and a full cup. She put it close to Mackenzie’s mouth as she sipped it through the straw.

  “Thank you,” Mackenzie said, once she finished.

  “What happened?” Mackenzie asked, staring at me.

  “We were in an accident,” I said, not knowing how much she remembered about that day.

  “You’ve been in a coma for almost a week,” I said, as I sat back down, but grabbing her hand.

  “Are you ok?” she asked. I couldn’t help but shake my head at her.

  “I’m fine, sweetie,” I said, and I watched the smile cross her face. God, I loved this woman.

  “Can we have a few minutes?” I asked the nurses, who were still staring at us.

  “Yes, sorry. I’m going to go grab the doctor to examine her, though,” the older nurse said, and they shuffled out of the room.

  “Where is he?” she asked quietly, as she stared straight ahead.

  “He’s gone,” I said. I had played out this conversation in my head a hundred times the last few days.

  “Gone?” she asked, and looked at me.

  “He’s dead,” I said quietly.

  “He is?” Mackenzie stared at me, those brown eyes wide.

  “He died at the scene. He was drunk. The cops don’t even suspect that we knew him. We were just avoiding a drunk driver,” I said, and then waited for her response.

  “Oh, thank God,” She said with a sigh of relief.

  “Baby, I’m sorry,” I said.

  “Kash, for what?” she asked.

  “For putting you in danger. For not thinking about what could happen. For getting you hurt. I just wanted to protect you. I’m sorry,” I said, as I put my head down, wanting to look her in the eyes, but I couldn’t.

  “Baby,” she whispered, and I looked at her.

  “Come here,” she said, and patted the bed beside her as she attempted to scoot over. I sat beside her and finally looked at her.

  “Don’t apologize. I know you didn’t mean for me to get hurt. You saved me from him,” she said.

  “I love you,” she said.

  “I love you,” I repeated.

  More than she could ever even imagine.

  Chapter 33

  The next three days were spent with the doctors and nurses constantly monitoring Mackenzie. She was getting her strength back, and getting a little pissy at all the fuss and attention she was getting.

  “I’m ready to get out of here,” she said with a sigh, once the doctor shut the door behind him.

  “I know, sweetie, they just need to make sure you’re a hundred percent before you bust out,” I said, as I patted her knee and took my usual chair.

  I couldn’t blame her; I was ready to get home, too. We would both be off of work for a while. My job wouldn’t allow me to go back until the cast was off and I was cleared by the doctor. That meant at least six weeks. My tool pusher wasn’t sure if I would still be on the same rig, but they would find a place for me once it was time. Luckily, I had enough in savings to get me through until then. I could take care of both of us without any problems, which eased my mind.

  “I think I’m ready to see them,” Mackenzie said, after a few minutes. I called her mom the night she woke up, once I talked to Mackenzie about it. But she wasn’t ready to see them yet, and Karen said she respected her wishes.

  “Are you sure? There’s no rush,” I reassured her. I didn’t want her having any health setbacks.

  “I think so,” she said, and scooted to the edge of the bed. “Come up here with me.”

  I crawled beside her gently and sighed as she rested her head on my good arm. I was ready to get this fucking cast off so I could wrap my arms around her. I just wanted to hold her. That’s a lie, I wanted to do a whole lot more to her, but I wanted to make sure she was better first.

  “Are you nervous about seeing them?” I asked, trying to get comfortable in this tiny bed, trying to ignore the pain that shot up from my elbow to my shoulder. I couldn’t help but let out a little groan as I adjusted my body.

  “The doctor said that’s why I didn’t break any bones, because you used your arm as a shield,” Mackenzie said, changing the subject.

  “My first instinct is to protect you, always,” I said, as I kissed her head.

  “I love you,” she whispered into my shoulder, and kissed it.

  Those three simple words. I think we had repeated those words to each other a hundred times over the last three days. I never thought I would say those words to a woman, but then again I never thought I would meet anyone like Mackenzie.

  “I love you, sweetie,” I said with a smile. More.

  “I’ve been wanting to ask you about something, but I was a little nervous,” Mackenzie said, as we looked at each other. She had a worried look on her face, which made my fucking stomach hurt. I couldn’t take any more worrying. I was ready for things to calm the fuck down.

  “What?” I asked, not even sure if I wanted to know.

  “How bad is your car?” she asked, looking genuinely worried, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

  “Bad,” I said with a smile.

  “Why are you smiling?” she asked, completely confused.

  “Because it’s just a car,” I said. Those words would have never even come out of my mouth last week. But after everything we had been through, it wasn’t even important. I would miss it, but I had Mackenzie, and that’s what really mattered.

  “That car is your baby, it was never just a car,” she said, and shook her head.

  “My priorities have changed,” I said, as I grabbed my phone out of my pocket, stifling the groan this time.

  “Sam sent me a picture from the tow yard,” I said, as I pulled up the picture and showed it to Mackenzie.

  “Oh, man,” Mackenzie said, as she stared at my phone. It was totaled, beyond repair. It was just a car, but I hated looking at that picture.

  “It’s hard to believe we even survived that,” Mackenzie said, as she stared straight
ahead, her eyes wide.

  “I know,” I said, and put my phone on the side table.

  “You changed the subject,” I said, as I looked down at her. “Are you nervous?”

  “Nervous isn’t really the word,” she said, as she picked at a piece of lint on my jeans.

  “Scared, I think,” she said.

  “You don’t have to see them,” I said. I didn’t want her doing anything she didn’t want to do. I would call them and let them know she changed her mind. I would do whatever she wanted.

  “I know, but I need to. They’re my parents, regardless,” she said.

  “Ok,” I said, and grabbed my phone again, pulling up Karen’s number.

  Me: She’s ready.

  My phone buzzed immediately.

  Karen: On our way. Thank you Kash.

  For the next couple of hours, Mackenzie was quiet. She tried to pretend she was ok, but I knew better. I could see it in her eyes. They always said way more than she wanted anyone to know.

  There was a knock on the door, and I stood, looking at her, waiting for her to give me the ok. She nodded her head.

  “Come in,” I said loudly.

  Mackenzie’s parents walked through the door, but I couldn’t take my eyes off her. The tears were rolling down her cheeks but she didn’t speak. I wanted to grab her and take her out of this room. I didn’t want her to cry. I wanted to protect her from any more pain. She didn’t deserve to fucking hurt anymore. Son of a bitch. I waited for her to let me know she was ok. She finally looked at me, and nodded her head.

  “I’ll give y’all some time,” I said, as I looked at her parents. I leaned my head down to Mackenzie and kissed her lips gently.

  “I’ll be back soon,” I whispered. “Love you.”

  “I love you, too,” she whispered, as I wiped the tears from her cheek. I couldn’t catch them all, but I wanted to.

  I rose back up and headed to the door. Karen walked in front of me and put her arms around me.

  “Thank you, Kash,” she whispered. “For everything.”

  “I would do anything for her, she’s worth it,” I said quietly, as I looked at both of them. Mackenzie’s father wouldn’t even look in my direction. Not that I gave a fuck.

  Chapter 34

  1 week later

  “Oh, I’m so glad to see this place,” Mackenzie said, as we walked through the front door.

  “Me, too.” We had been confined to that hospital for long enough.

  “I put your bags next to the closet,” Moon said, as he walked out of Mackenzie’s room.

  “Thanks, man,” I said. I was grateful they drove all the way down to give us a ride from the hospital.

  “That’s what family is for,” Moon said, as he walked up to Sam and slapped her ass.

  “I stocked the fridge, and there’s a few meals made in the freezer,” Sam said, as she nodded towards the kitchen.

  Mackenzie walked over to Sam and threw her arms around her.

  “Thank you, for everything,” I heard her whisper.

  “Family, remember?” she said, as she returned the hug.

  “Thanks,” I mouthed to Sam, and she flipped me off while she stuck her tongue out at me. I couldn’t help but laugh. She really was the sister I never had. We went from being inseparable as kids, to not being able to stand each other. But the disgust was more one sided on her part. But she wasn’t nearly the hard ass she used to be after the last year, and all the shit she went through. We were getting back to being close again. I guess that’s the way family worked.

  “Let us know if y’all need anything,” Moon said, as they walked to the front door.

  “Will do, thanks,” I said, as I shut the door behind them, and walked to set the alarm, but then stopped.

  He was gone.

  “Are you ok?” Mackenzie asked, as she put her arms around my waist, from behind and kissed my back.

  It had replayed in my mind over and over these past couple of weeks that he was dead. There was no more looking over our shoulder or keeping Mackenzie hidden to protect her. Dead. I’m sure there was a funeral, people that loved him, people that didn’t know who he really was or what he was capable of. The whole thing just fucked with my head.

  “Kash?” Mackenzie said my name quietly.

  “Yeah,” I said, as I turned around and looked down at her.

  “Baby,” she said, as she stroked the side of my face, making me realize I was biting the inside of my cheek. Mother fucker.

  “I don’t know, it’s just kinda fucking with me,” I said.

  “You don’t feel guilty do you?” she asked.

  “No, not guilty,” I said, not sure what I actually felt. “Do you?” I asked.

  Mackenzie let out a loud exhale before she spoke.

  “I feel guilty that I don’t feel guilty, does that make sense?” she asked.

  “Yeah, it does,” I said, as I kissed her head.

  “I know I was with him for a long time, but I hated him, Kash,” she said, as she looked into my eyes.

  “I stared into his eyes as I thought he was going to kill me. I honestly believe he would have succeeded one day if this hadn’t happened.”

  That one sentence changed my outlook. He would have killed her one of these days. The thought of him taking her life felt like a punch in the gut. Everything that happened was his fault. He deserved what he got. Period.

  “I don’t even want to think about it,” I whispered to her.

  “Do you think the police will ever question me?” she asked, looking worried.

  “I don’t think so. They didn’t link any of us together. My license is still my old address. You never filed any charges on him, and we were in a different county. They never even mentioned our names on the news. I think it’s over,” I said. I had considered all the possibilities. I just wanted to put this behind us.

  “I just want to feel normal again; I don’t even think I know what it feels like,” Mackenzie said, as she shook her head.

  “I just want you happy,” I told her.

  “You make me happy,” she said with a little smile, as she buried her face into my shoulder.

  “Ditto,” I said, and felt her shake with laughter against me.

  Chapter 35

  This fucking cast was driving me crazy, and my stitches were starting to itch. I couldn’t find a comfortable position in bed. But I was so thankful to be away from the hospital and home with her. Mackenzie helped me wrap my arm so I could shower before she did. She was so worried about me, always trying to help me. I didn’t deserve someone like her. But I didn’t care, she was mine and I wasn’t letting her go.

  “So much better,” she said, as she walked out of the bathroom. I took one look at her and forgot the discomfort. I forgot about everything, but her. She was so fucking sexy wearing a tiny tank top and panties. Her damp hair leaving wet marks on her shirt, allowing me a peek of those perfect tits.

  “Fuck, baby. Come here,” I said, as I had to adjust my cock that was about to explode out of my boxers.

  “Kash, I don’t want to hurt you,” she said with a worried look, as she crawled up the bed.

  “You won’t hurt me,” I said, as I pulled her down on me, away from my cast.

  “What about your arm?” she asked.

  “My tongue works just fine,” I said, as I bit her bottom lip. A little moan escaped her throat, and she squeezed her thighs against me.

  “Kash,” she whispered.

  “I haven’t been able to taste you in weeks, I can’t wait anymore. I need it,” I said, as I reached down and pulled at the hem of those lacey pink panties that needed to disappear. She helped me pull them all the way off, and kissed me hard.

  “Now,” I said, as I put my head on the pillow and motioned for her. She knew exactly what to do as she straddled that sweet pussy over my face and hovered as I admired it.

  “Fucking beautiful,” I said, as I grabbed her ass and pulled her into my mouth. I devoured her, basking in the sweetne
ss, her moans and cries fueling me. She had one hand against the headboard, and when she grabbed my hair with the other, I knew she was close. I gave her clit the attention it deserved as I felt her start to tremble over me. Fuck, she was so sexy.

  “My turn,” she said, as she spun around and crawled down the bed. Her perfect ass teasing me with every movement. She positioned herself between my legs and pulled my boxers down. My cock was standing at full attention, begging for her mouth.

  “Have I ever told you how much I love this?” she whispered, and then ran her tongue over my piercing. She flicked her tongue back and forth over the bell as she stared into my eyes.

  “Show me,” I said, as I ran my fingers gently through her hair, I didn’t want to hurt her.

  She started to run her tongue over the barbell and then down my shaft. She slid her tongue back up, and then started to suck my cock gently. Mother fucker. She was so fucking perfect, just watching her would get me off. I watched her face as she sucked me harder, listening to the little moans coming from her throat.

  “Fuck, baby,” I groaned, as I felt the pressure building. Mackenzie scratched her nails down my stomach, and sucked me dry as I came in her mouth.

  “Fuck, I love you,” I said, when I could finally speak again.

  “I love you, baby,” Mackenzie said with a sexy grin, as she snuggled against my good arm.

  I could stay like this forever.

  The sound of my phone buzzing on the nightstand startled me and I realized I must have fallen asleep. Mackenzie jerked at the same time I did, but smiled when she looked at me.

  “I’ll get it for you,” she said, as she reached over and handed me the phone.

  “Pusher,” she said, as she read the screen.

  The oilfield didn’t keep normal hours. There wasn’t a nine-to-five in this field. You got the call when you got the call, time didn’t matter.

  “Hello,” I said, as I accepted the call.

  “Bennett, did I wake you?” he asked. I looked at the clock and realized it was only nine.

  “Nah, what’s up boss?”

  “Hey, there’s a rig up that needs an A.D. in the time frame you’re looking to come back.”