Page 69 of Before I Loved You

No. I internally shake my head. It hurts.

All I know is the minute I walk through my front door, I plan on taking a long, hot shower and collapsing on my bed for the rest of the night—absolutely nothing else.

Opening the front door, I find Natalie watching TV on the living room couch.

“Hey, what’s up, Natalie?” I drop my sports bag beside the door, planning to take care of it later.

“Paul!” Her eyes widen. “Don’t you have a game tonight?”

I shake my head. “It was this morning. Got switched because of a scheduling conflict.”

“Well, it looks like you’re just in time then!” she exclaims. “Sarah’s on her way over for a movie night.”

My brows furrow as I slam the door firmly behind me at the mention of Sarah. “Sarah?”

“Ow!”

I stiffen, feeling heat creep up my neck, realizing who I just shut the door on.

Fuck!

“Sarah, I’m so sorry!” I open the door wide, pressing my hand onto her lower back, leading her inside. “Shit. Are you okay?”

She rubs her forehead. “I’m fine. No big deal.”

But it is a big deal. She’s so small, and I’m so big. I didn’t mean to hurt her. Fuck.

“Wait here.” I quickly look between her and the kitchen. “I’m going to get some ice!” I run to the kitchen, pull out the ice tray, and slam it on the counter. Cubes fall everywhere, but I grab most of them and bundle them in a plastic bag. Returning to the living room, I find Sarah sitting on the couch beside Natalie.

I sit on her free side and gently press the ice to her head, where I notice a small purple bruise forming. “Maybe I should take you to the hospital to get checked out for a concussion.”

“Paul, I’m fine. I swear. I don’t have a concussion.” Her hand lands on my thigh, and all the air in my lungs evaporates. “I was looking down at my phone when I walked up the steps. It was my fault. Don’t worry.”

“I’m sorry.” I scrape the palm of my hand down my face.

The front door opens, revealing Nate, who walks inside with a few pizza boxes in his hands.

“Hey, man. You made it in time for movie night.” He places the boxes on the coffee table and sits on Natalie’s free side.

It’s getting tight on this couch, so I stand, still holding the ice against Sarah’s head.

“I’ve got it,” Sarah says, placing her hand over mine to take over. I can’t help but notice how small and soft her hand is compared to mine.

“Yeah. Sorry again.” I squeeze the back of my neck. I can’t believe I just fucking did that.

“What did you do to the poor girl?” Nate asks, smirking.

I gesture toward the door. “I shut the door on her face. Completely by accident,” I add hastily.

Nate shakes his head, restraining a laugh.

I’m such an idiot. “Well, I better go shower. Enjoy your movie night.” I take a step on the stairs when the sound of her voice brings me to a screeching halt.

“Aren’t you going to stay for the movie?” Sarah asks.

My eyes lock with hers, and when I internally ask, Do you want me to stay? with my brow raised, she nods just the slightest bit.

“Yeah. Sure. Let me shower real quick, and I’ll be right down.”

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