Page 61 of If Only You Hurt

The mere thought of him touching me makes my skin crawl. I rub my arms with the memory of his forceful hands on my body. It’s hard not to let my mind wander toward what could have been had I not escaped.

“Miss James, Mr. Lameley will be held, and bail will be set in the morning. Here’s my card if you need anything. I’ll reach out once I know more.” The officer hands his business card to me, my fingers still shaking as I grasp the small paper.

I nod my head, trying to get a full understanding of what transpired today. Everything started so well, and it’s hard not to feel the similarity to the giddiness when my day started to how it ended, much like that day at university years ago.

Becca is the first to speak once Officer Sedder leaves the area. “Listen, Laney, I know you’re scared. We’re all here for you.” She embraces me, and I feel completely at ease knowing they’ve got my back.

“But the baby,” I croak out with little volume to my voice.

“Are you feeling any cramping, or have you bled?” I shake my head, and I see my sister’s shoulders visibly relax with my answer. I think they’re all on edge, concerned about what another loss might look like for me emotionally. I understand their concern all too well because it’s passed through my head multiple times since this whole thing started with Tad this afternoon.

“I’ll do a full assessment after this at the office, and I can even get the little one on the monitor for you again so you can see with your own eyes. But your body is stronger than you think, so remember that you’re keeping that baby safe, much like you have even before you knew you were pregnant.” Becca’s reassuring voice carries over me like a soothing hug.

“How did you know to come to me?” Now I’m finally able to sort out my thoughts, and my mind is racing with questions as to how she knew, or I guess Grant knew, something was wrong.

“Grant called me in a panic. He saw something that made him want to ensure your safety, and he begged me to drop everything and make sure you were okay. He didn’t elaborate. When I tried calling him once I knew you were safe, it went to voicemail. Then one of the associates on the trip sent me a quick text explaining Grant was able to get on a red-eye home and gave me the flight details.”

“Could someone grab my phone from the yoga studio? I left it in the room where I taught my last class.” I worry my lip with my upper teeth, wondering how I’ll feel stepping back into a sacred place like that again without thinking of Tad.

Shane is the first to speak up, “I’ll make sure to swing by and grab it for you. I’ll meet you all at Becca’s practice before heading to my friend Noah’s place.”

“Okay, well, that’s settled. Now, let me get you to the office so I can check on my niece or nephew.” Becca says, showing no sign of fear or restraint when referring to the baby being okay.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

GRANT

Much like I did years ago when I heard of Laney’s incident in Wyoming, I’m running through the airport to get to her now. Luckily, the stars aligned when I got to baggage claim. My suitcase is one of the first to come out, and I’m off to my Uber.

Becca offered to pick me up from the various texts that came through on my multiple layovers, but the last flight got in at an ungodly hour into LaGuardia, and I thought it was best that I find a way home without disrupting her sleep.

While I was hopping from plane to plane, I was able to communicate with Laney via text, brief check-ins to ensure she was okay. I don’t know how much of my concerns were warranted, but I also haven’t had a chance to properly talk to anyone aside from updates on my flights and making sure Laney and the baby were okay.

The moment I pull up to Ellie’s brownstone, I make sure to keep my movements quiet. I unlock the front door and move through the house, making sure I don’t drop anything or make too many sounds that might scare everyone who's sleeping in the house.

The moment I’m upstairs, I can feel my pulse quicken. I’ve needed to have Laney in my arms for days now, feeling like this distance was taking years off my life.

The moment I open her door, I see her lying with her back facing me, her breathing even. I toe off my shoes and remove my clothing, leaving me in only my boxers. I need to get in bed with her and feel her warmth against me.

I pull up the covers, and I see her stir. By the time I slide in next to her in bed, she turns her body toward me, her eyes only slits as she takes me in.

“I missed you.” She says it in a whisper, and the moment I bring her into my embrace, I feel like everything has fallen into place. But while I’m feeling relief, I feel her shoulders shake.

“Laney, what’s wrong? Are you okay? Is the baby okay?” I feel the panic creep back in when, moments ago, I felt instant relief to be by her side once again.

With her face against my chest, her voice is muffled, “Yes, we’re okay. But things weren’t okay yesterday, and all I wanted was you near me.”

I stiffen with her confession, and I feel the anxiety I felt in that bar start to slither its way up my spine, much like it did when I called my sister with dread in the pit of my stomach.

“Tell me what happened, Lane.” I bring my index finger under her chin, and her gaze connects with mine. Her lashes are wet from her tears, and I know that she’s hurting, and all I can think about is making it right.

“It was Tad.” At the mention of his name, I know whatever she’s going to say to me might leave me seeing red. I rub her back, hoping that movement alone will motivate her to continue, and she does.

“He pretty much held me against my will at the yoga studio because he wanted us to be together. He seemed to be upset with the news of the baby and that I was with you. I was terrified, Grant. I was so scared something was going to happen to our baby. I’m so sorry that happened.”

“You’re sorry? Why are you sorry, babe?” I take in her beautiful face, the moonlight seeping in and giving me just enough light to take in her beauty in this natural setting.

“I just put myself in harm’s way again. Why am I always in the wrong place at the wrong time? I’ve had bad things happen before, and then I lost the baby. I was so scared that it would happen again.”

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