Page 50 of Love Shots

She felt Teddy’s hot gaze on her throughout. The longer his stare penetrated her, the more anxious she felt. It was one thing to see her looking like this, it was another for him to witness the result of her stupidity. What must he think of her? It wasn’t cute to be this much of a hot mess so far into your thirties.

Just when she thought she couldn’t possibly feel any worse, the doctor explained exactly what had happened. What her body had been through. And what to expect over the next few days. Goddamn brain swelling. Her brain had actually swelled. She hadn’t even known that was a thing. Scared, overwhelmed, mad as hell. Those sentiments were just the tip of the iceberg when it came to the emotions bubbling up to the surface.

That motherfucker.

“Did you catch him ... Ben?” That question was directed at Teddy as the room began to clear.

“Yeah, doll, you’re safe. He was taken into custody.”

“Before ... I remember hearing Colt. Is he okay?”

She watched as Teddy settled into the chair next to her bed and captured her hand. Lacing his fingers through hers.

“He’s good. He’s actually the one who called the ambulance and got you here. He also restrained Ben until the cops arrived.”

“He did?” Wow. Maybe he wasn’t the devil after all.

“Yeah, doll, he did. I think I’m gonna have to un-bar him from Mickey’s.”

She tried to smile, but it hurt. It was probably a good thing she didn’t allow the mood to lighten though. What she was about to ask Teddy likely wouldn’t go down well.

“Teddy?” She cringed at her scratchy voice.

“Yeah, baby?”

“I need you to do something for me.”

“Anything, baby, anything you need.” He squeezed her hand reassuringly.

Here goes nothing.

“I need some time ... to process everything. Some space. What Ben did ...” She shivered as her mind unhelpfully replayed that night. “Honestly? I’m a mess, Teddy. What he did. What I felt ... am still feeling ... What I’m trying to say is that I’m gonna be a mess for a while and it’s not fair—”

“Whoa,” he cut her off, “if you’re about to say it’s not fair on me ... you can stop right now. ’Cause that is some bullshit. I want to be there for you. I want to help you through this. Please let me. Please, baby?”

You can do this. It’s the right thing to do.

Summer’s eyes closed. Not from the pain in her head this time but from the new ache in her chest.

“You said you’d do anything. This is what I need. This is what I want. My head is all fucked up ... literally. You heard the doctor. Please. If you care about me at all, you’ll do this for me. Please, Teddy.” She wasn’t beyond begging at this point. Anything to make this feeling inside of her go away.

Teddy was quiet for a moment before he surprised her by asking, “How long?”

“I don’t know.”

A weird noise emanated from his chest. A cross between a growl and a groan. Whatever it was, it didn’t sound good. “You’re still in hospital, still recovering ... I only just got you back, and now you’re asking me to walk away? For God knows how long? What the hell, Summer? That’s not fair.”

She opened her eyes and immediately regretted it when she got a look at his. Green flashes of hurt awaited her, causing a sting. “I know it’s not fair. I know I should be grateful you’re even here after what I put you through. I know I don’t deserve you. But ... I need this. I need time to process. On my own. Recover mentally as well as physically. I can’t do that when I’m feeling guilty for dragging you into my drama. This is all my fault. Another bad decision has come back to haunt me, and I can’t stand the thought that you’re now paying the price too. That’s the last thing you need or deserve, Teddy.”

“Jesus Christ, Summer.” Teddy roughly ran his hand over his head. “Grateful? Fucking guilty? You’re breaking my heart here, doll. You’re wrong. This isn’t your fault. Nothing about this is your fault. Don’t you ever let that motherfucker make you feel like it was or that you’re less than. And as for me—”

“Teddy—”

“I’m not finished. I’ll give you your space, dollface. But this is not the fucking end ... You hear me? I’ll wait as long as it takes. As long as you need. And when you’re ready, I’m gonna spend my life showing you just how deserving you are.”

And with that, Teddy stalked out of the room. She got what she wanted. Hadn’t she? Then why did it feel so wrong?

***

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