Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 81018 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81018 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
He shut the laptop and set it on the table before scooting the chair as close to the bed as possible. Then, he slid his palm along mine, but didn’t stop there. He coasted his hand up my bruised arm, into the sleeve of my fashionable hospital gown, and let it rest lightly on my chest. Warmth and security flowed from his skin to mine, making me soar higher than the most potent hit of morphine.
“Missed your hands on me,” I whispered. Emotions I didn’t have the energy to combat bombarded me. I’d come close, too close to being taken from Ryder. The thought of it thickened my throat until I could barely draw in a breath.
Ryder must have sensed my distress because he stroked his hand over my pec in soothing circles. “Pft,” scoffed. “You didn’t miss shit. You were too busy napping.”
I chuckled then groaned. “Ugh, don’t make me laugh.”
He winked and kissed my shoulder, but in his gaze, I saw the same knowledge of how close we’d come to losing this forever. My body would heal with time, but I wasn’t sure my mind would bounce back as well. “We’re gonna need a lot of therapy, aren’t we?”
It was Ryder’s turn to chuckle. It started low and light but turned into a full-blown laugh in minutes. “Fuck yeah, we are. Hell, we probably both needed it before this, now we’re really gonna be fucked up.”
A soft knock on the door stole my attention before I could agree with him.
“Kenny…” God, I was an asshole. I’d barely thought of him since I’d woken up, too fixated on Ryder.
“You’re awake,” he whispered, eyes widening.
Ryder chuckled. “I texted you saying he’d woken up.”
Wait, since when did they text?
“No, I know. It’s just… seeing it… after the last few days.” He shrugged, still hovering in the doorway.
“Come in. You can sit on the edge of my bed.”
“I can go,” Ryder offered. “Give you two some time.”
“No!” I pressed my hand over his, where it still rested on my chest. “Stay. Please.”
His eyes softened, and he blew out a breath, seeming relieved. Yeah, we were going to have some codependency issues moving forward, but I was okay with that. He could live in my damn pocket after this, and I’d be perfectly content. Hell, I’d love it.
Kenny shuffled into the room, but he didn’t try to sit on my bed, just loomed near the foot. He looked like shit. Like he’d lost twenty pounds he didn’t have to spare since I’d last seen him a few weeks ago.
“Are you okay?” I asked, which made him grunt.
Ryder’s lips twitched. I glared at my boyfriend, knowing precisely what he was thinking. No, smartass, Kenny and I did not communicate with the same grunt.
“That’s a question for you, not me.” The fact that the petulant tone didn’t have an accompanying eye roll had me stunned.
“I’m okay. They’ve apparently pumped me full of pain meds.”
He nodded.
“Your turn.”
“I’m…” His gaze shifted to Ryder, then back to me. After squirming for a few seconds, he sighed. “I’m pretty fucked up right now.”
Holy shit. I sucked in a breath. Was he about to admit he needed help? The gentle stroke of Ryder’s hand on my skin kept me from demanding he explain himself.
“I don’t have much time. I’m checking into rehab tonight.”
The way I gaped at him would have been hilarious in any other situation. “Y-you are?”
He nodded. “You can thank your man there.” He grunted. “Got me into some fancy-ass rehab facility.”
Oh my God. Oh my God. I stared at Ryder, who had a soft smile on his face. “But…” How was this even possible? Those places cost a damn fortune, and most had a mile-long waitlist.
His thumb brushed my nipple, making me jolt and narrow my eyes at him, which only had him chuckling. “It’s covered,” he said in a low voice.
“A loan,” Kenny stated in a stronger voice than he’d used since arriving.
Crazy as it might sound, if this traumatic event were the catalyst Kenny needed to get help and get clean, I’d consider it all worth it, though I might keep that tidbit to myself. I don’t think Ryder would agree just yet.
“Um, Ken, that’s really good.”
He nodded. “Yeah. I’m kinda scared as fuck, but…”
“We’ll be here,” I said. “When you get out. We’ll be here for you.”
“Um, I’d better go. I have to pack some shit, but I’ll call when I can.” He started for the door, then turned back and speared me with a heavy look. “I’m sorry, Alex, for so much shit. I’m so fucking sorry.”
I knew he was, and I forgave him, even if it would take a lifetime to forget the feel of that bat cracking against my body. “Get better, Ken. That’s all the apology I want or need.”
He nodded once, then turned and slunk from the room. All I could do was hope that one day he’d walk with confidence. That’d he’d heal physically and mentally enough to return home whole and healthy.