Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 77717 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77717 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Tears run down my cheeks. I would go get him. I would stay and make sure he wasn’t in pain, make sure he knew how to clean and care for whatever injuries he had.
“He’s just not ready to be a dad.” I take in a shaky breath. “Are you still with him?”
“Yeah. I’m about ready to leave. He got a shot of morphine and is passed out.”
“Stay there. I’m coming over.” I don’t have to think about it. Noah is hurt. I’m going to him.
“Okay. Drive safe.”
“I always do.”
I hang up, and gather up everything I need in a mad run. I forget dog food, and run my pregnant ass back into the house, spilling kibble all over the floor in my haste. Then I’m speeding through the dark to get to Noah.
The drive takes forever. I don’t even turn on the radio. Finally I pull into the parking lot, grab my bag and the dogs, and rush inside, texting Colin that I’m here to buzz me in.
“You brought the dogs?” my brother asks as soon as we bustle through the door.
“I’m leaving for work at seven. I kinda had to. Plus Noah likes them.” And now my heart is breaking all over again. Tears fill my eyes and I don’t want to cry in front of Colin. He’ll hate Noah for hurting me. Colin crouches down to greet the dogs while I run (okay…waddle at this point) through the apartment and into Noah’s room.
It’s dark, and the first thing I see is rumpled sheets. I’m hit with the memory of the first time we made love. I have to bite my lip to keep from breaking down.
“Noah?” I whisper, voice tight. “Are you awake?”
I dig my phone out of my coat pocket and use it as a flashlight. He’s lying on his back, and shadows merge with bruises on his face. His shirt is off, and a blanket is pulled up to his chest. His left arm is bent, resting on his stomach. It’s wrapped in gauze.
As a vet tech, I see a lot of nasty things. Infected wounds, horrible injuries…it doesn’t faze me. But seeing Noah like this makes my stomach hurt. Tears run down my cheeks. I wipe them away and gently kneel on the bed, bending over to kiss Noah. The second my lips touch his, my heart breaks into a million pieces.
This is our last kiss.
Noah takes a deep breath and his eyes flutter open for a split second. “Lauren,” he mumbles.
“I’m here,” I say through my tears. I lace my fingers through his. “I’m here, Noah. It’s okay.”
“Lauren,” he says again. “I’m sorry.”
No matter how hard I try, I can’t stop from crying. I cover my mouth with my hand, hoping to muffle the sounds of sobbing enough from Colin. A few minutes pass and I’m able to get myself under control. I mop my face with the bottom of my pajama shirt, and then go back into the living room with Colin and the dogs.
“Do you want me to stay?” Colin asks. I didn’t do a very good job covering up the fact I was crying, apparently.
“No, it’s okay. Jenny probably wants you home.”
“She’s not home; she got stuck doing a double.”
“Oh, okay. You don’t need to stay. I’m gonna sit in there with him and make sure he’s okay, but I’ll probably fall asleep soon anyway.”
Colin nods. “Are you two really done?”
“I don’t know.” My voice breaks. “Probably.”
“If that’s what you want,” Colin says and I know he’s confused since neither Noah or I offered an explanation. I don’t want to ruin Colin’s friendship.
“It’s not what I want, it’s what I need. I don’t want to think I can count on him when really I can’t.”
“I won’t tell you what to do,” Colin starts. “But I will say I’ve never seen Noah like that.”
“Injured?”
“No, I’ve seen that plenty of times. I mean sad.”
I close my eyes and fat tears roll out.
“I don’t know what happened,” Colin goes on. “But I do know he cares.”
That’s the best and worst thing to hear right now. It’s making my resolve waver.
“Thanks for picking him up, Colin.”
“Yeah … let me know what’s going on, okay? And if I have to throw a few punches, I’ll at least wait until Noah’s stitches are healed.”
“Thanks.” I step forward and give my brother a hug. I lock the door behind him when he leaves and turn around, leaning on it. I suck in a breath, jaw trembling.
I hate this. My head hurts, though not as badly as my heart, and I know I need to get some sleep since I have to be up early for work in the morning. Sleep won’t come easy, and I don’t know where to sleep. Next to Noah? He’s injured…but we broke up. Being here is hard enough. Being in bed next to him…I’m not strong enough.