Page 57 of For Emery

I could see the anger brewing in his eyes, and I thought maybe it would break him. “My parents said if he didn’t hurt you—and your mom wanted him there, there was nothing else they could do.”

I nodded, knowing if he thought for one minute Wayne had ever touched me, he would have killed him.

“You should’ve called me. I shouldn’t have found out from your roommate.”

“She shouldn’t have contacted you.”

“Right. You should have. Best friends are there for each other. You knew that at one time.”

“Are we really gonna do this here?” I was too exhausted to argue with him. Too exhausted to even be mad at him for what happened with Flip.

He closed his eyes, shame marring his features. “I’m sorry. I was just so scared when she told me. I was scared you were next.”

“I’m safe here. There’s a police officer.”

A long silence passed between us. My mother and I lived a terrible life with Wayne. And even though we’d escaped him, we were constantly looking over our shoulders. Now, that he was out there, we were like sitting ducks and I had no idea what to do about it.

“Jordan?” my mother whispered.

Jordan jumped up and grabbed her hand from mine. “I’m right here, Ma’am. Can I get you something?”

Her words were soft and slow. “Thank you for being here for Emery.”

He glanced to me sadly before looking back to her. “I’ll always be here for Emery. And you.”

“Mom, do you need me to get the doctor?” I asked.

“I just need to sleep,” she said.

“Then rest. I’ll be here when you wake up.”

Her eyes closed, and the soft purrs of sleep escaped her once again.

“She’s on a lot of pain meds,” I explained.

“Can I get you something?” he asked. “A drink? Some food?”

I shook my head. “I’m so tired, but I don’t want her to wake up and not have me awake.”

He ticked his head to the empty bed in the room. “Go sleep. I’ll sit with her.”

“Are you serious? You’ve been up all night too.”

“I slept on the plane.”

Maybe if I slept for a little while longer, I’d be able to coherently speak with the doctors and detectives in the morning. “You sure?”

“Of course.”

I pushed myself to my feet. Jordan unexpectedly grabbed hold of my hand and pulled me into his chest, wrapping his arms around me and pressing his lips to the crown of my head. “Everything’s gonna be all right.”

I nodded, hoping more than anything he was right. I let him hold me. But the longer I stayed folded in his arms, the longer I wanted to stay there. The safety he provided, and the way even at my lowest he made me feel as if everything was going to be all right, was what our relationship had been based on. But I couldn’t always let him rescue me. I had to be strong on my own.

I stepped out of his arms. “I’ll only sleep for a little bit.” I moved to the empty bed on the other side of the room. I was too tired to even pull back the sheets, so I laid on top of them, curling myself into a ball and hugging my knees.

“Take all the time you need,” Jordan said softly before sleep carried me under once again.

Grady

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