Now or Never

transfer him to the local military hospital. She wanted to press him, but she’d ask Ethan later.
    “I hope you’ll let me come see you eventually.”
    “We’ll see. I need to sleep, but I wanted to return the call.”
    “Derrick, I meant what I said.”
    “Don’t. I can’t handle that right now.”
    Grayson sucked in a breath and released it slowly, “Alright.”
    They talked a couple more minutes and then hung up.
    The first thing Grayson did was call Luna to fill her in.
    “Screw that get in your jeep and go—now,” Luna said.
    “He doesn’t want me there. He made that painfully clear.”
    Her emotions were pulling her in different directions. She wanted to be by his side, but also felt she should listen to what he wanted.
    “Grayson if you feel the way I think you do about this guy just go. He just thinks he doesn’t want you there, trust me. He’ll be glad you came.”
    Maybe she was right. Hell, their whole relationship made no sense. Why should this be any different?
    “You’re right. I’m going to go.”
    “Good luck!”
    Grayson looked around and threw a few days clothes in a bag. She had a flash of déjà vu of when she was leaving Josh. Instead of running away this time she was running to someone. She had to see him, even if he kicked her out.
    She left her mother a note, jumped into the jeep, and punched in the address of the VA hospital in DC. It was going to be a long drive.
    The next evening she pulled into the hospital parking lot. Her stomach was in knots. What was he going to do when he saw her? He was probably going to be pissed for one.
    She made her way to the reception desk and asked for Derrick O’Conner. The nurse tapped his name into the computer and told her the room number. “Visiting hours end in an hour.”
    Grayson nodded and crossed the hall towards the elevator. She could feel the tension increase with every step.
    She stood in front of room 1303. The door was shut. Taking a deep breath she tapped on the door and pushed through it. And then her world came crashing down—again. Her steps faltered. She really was a fool.
    Sitting in the chair next to Derrick was the blonde.
    Derrick’s eyes fluttered opened. A look of surprised flashed. “What are you doing here? I told you not to come,” he said sounding exhausted. Half his face was covered with a large bandage.
    Swallowing hard she tried to push back the tears. She didn’t know what to say.
    “Megan, can you go get me something to eat?”
    The girl narrowed her eyes at Grayson and then stood up and stalked out of the room.
    “Obviously, I made a mistake,” Grayson said her voice shook betraying her emotions.
    Derrick tried to pull himself up to sit, but it took too much effort, so he gave up.
    Grayson took in all the machines attached to him. He looked like he had lost a lot of weight. His skin was so pale, and his eyes were dark and sad. She knew she was being selfish, but she was hurt. It felt like he had twisted a knife through her heart.
    “I guess when you said you didn’t want company you meant everyone but your girlfriend.”
    “She’s not…”
    Grayson held up her hand to cut him off and said, “Enough with all the lies Derrick. I’m an idiot.” A tear fell and she wiped it away with the back of her hand. “I’m sorry you’re hurt, but you were right, I shouldn’t have come here. Next time I’ll listen,” she said turning to leave.
    “Gray, don’t go. She just showed up. I don’t even know how she knew I was here. One of the wives on the team must have told her.” Heart pounding, she slowly turned back towards him. He licked his cracked lips and reached for the water, but it was out of his reach. Grayson hurried around and grabbed the drink and held it out so he could drink from the straw.
    “That’s why I didn’t want you here.” he said as he leaned back and closed his eyes.
    “Because of her? You didn’t want me to come because your little girlfriend is already here taking care of you?”
    “No Gray, not because of her. I can’t even get my own water. I don’t want you seeing me like this. It’s humiliating.”
    “That’s ridiculous. You’re hurt. You almost died. There is nothing humiliating about that.”
    “I’m a mess. I can’t even go to the bathroom by myself.”
    She knew that guys like Derrick didn’t like the loss of control.
    Grayson leaned forward and ran her hand through his hair. His face was covered in red stubble, and he looked completely