Chapter 299


    Chapter 299 Missing Me Too?


    I had wanted to tell Mom not to bothering, but the call ended before I got the chance. Sighing, I


    pocketed my phone and nced at Inch, who was silently perched on a waiting room chair. He was


    covered in dried mud, looking like a doll that had been tossed into a puddle. My mind had been on


    Charlie, but seeing Inch in that state, I inhaled sharply and said, “Inch, I’ve got things covered here. Go


    home, shower, grab a bite, and rest up.”


    He was pale but shook his head, “No worries, I’ll wait for Mr. Yates.” His determination was evident,


    and I realized talking him out of it was a no–go. I was about to grab some food for him when


    suddenly….


    “Bang!” The OR doors flew open, and a doctor in a white coat stepped out.


    Inch shot up and hurried over. “Doc, how is Mr. Yates?”


    The doctor hesitated, peeling off his gloves, and said, “We’ve managed to save his leg for now, but it’s


    all about how he heals up. If he doesn’t take it easy, he’ll be heading for trouble.”


    With that, the doctor walked off.


    Hearing the doctor’s update, Inch and I let out a collective sigh of relief.


    Soon after, a team of doctors and nurses rolled Charlie out of surgery. He was a shade paler, and when


    his eyes met ours, he tried to smile but did not say a word.


    The medical team got us moving on some paperwork.


    Inch was on it, handling everything like a pro. I tagged along with the crew to Charlie’s room, got him


    settled, and the doc dropped a list of recovery do’s and don’ts on us.


    Once the room cleared out, a heavy silence hung in the air.


    Charlie was propped up in bed, looking wiped out. I was at a loss for words. However, after a brief


    pause, I managed to say, “The doc says you’re on a strict water diet until the meds wear off. No food,


    and no sleep. How about I stick around, and we chat to pass the time?”


    He was not knocked outpletely for the surgery, so even though he was tired, sleep was not on the


    menu until the drugs faded.


    He gave a weak nod, his voice barely above a whisper. “Why did youe?”


    I dipped a cotton swab in water to moisten his lips, thinking it over, then said, “We found my mom and


    Maxwell, and things in Lorrell are chill, so we all headed back. Plus, you were here in Lake City getting


    patched up.”


    A small smile yed on his lips. “So, you came back for me?”


    He was pretty banged up, and I could not hide my worry. I nodded, “Yeah, Mr. Yates, I owe you big


    time. If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t be in this mess with your old injury acting up.‘


    He looked at me, his eyes, almost shut from exhaustion, hisshes nearly hiding the depths of his dark


    eyes, his voice rough, “Don’t sweat it. It was my bad. And you? Is the snake venom cleared? What did


    the doctor say?”


    “The doctor gave me the all–clear,” I said, trying to sound upbeat. “I’m doing just fine.”


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    Chapter 299 Missing Me Too?


    I racked my brain for something to chat about, but nothing seemed right. I could not let him drift off to


    sleep, though. My thoughts wandered to Inch. “Inch is back, too. He’s been right by your side the whole


    time and didn’t even stop to change his clothes. I told him to take a break, but he’s too worried about


    you to leave. Make sure you tell him to restter, okay? He won’t listen to me, and it’s not good if he


    wears himself out.”


    Honestly, I was really worried about Inch. He had been through as much as any of us out there in the


    mountains and probably had not had a bite to eat or a moment’s rest. Concerns about his well–being


    were especially pressing because if something happened to him, with just him and his mom… what


    would she do?


    Charlie gave a small nod, his eyes deep pools as he looked at me. After a pause, he asked, “And you?”


    I blinked, confused for a second. “What do you mean?”


    “Do you worry about me, too?” His voice was soft, and his dark eyes, framed by those longshes, held


    mine without moving.


    I figured the anesthesia had not worn offpletely, making him weak and vulnerable. Everyone looks


    for a littlefort when they are feeling down, even tough guys like Charlie.


    Thinking this, I nodded and said, “Yeah, of course. So, Mr. Yates, you’ve got to start taking better care


    of yourself, you hear?”