Page 73 of Doctor Neighbor

"I'm scared, too," he whispers, vulnerability raw in his voice. "I'm scared of what this means, of how it changes everything. But I'm also scared of losing you both."

I lean into his touch, my fears and hopes mirroring his. "I'm scared too," I admit, my voice barely audible. "But we're in this together now, whatever happens."

I feel drained, emotionally and physically. The weight of everything—Maddie’s illness, the revelation about Buster's possible paternity—it's all crashing down on me.

Buster's voice breaks through my exhausted haze. "Cole, you need to get some rest."

I nod weakly, knowing he's right but unsure if I can sleep with everything swirling in my mind.

"Can we..." Buster hesitates, then continues softly, "Can we get in bed together? I'd like to hold you if that's okay."

My heart swells at his request. Despite everything I've just dumped on him, despite the turmoil I know must be raging inside him, he's still here. He’s still caring for me.

"Yes," I whisper, grateful beyond words.

We move to the bedroom, and I slip under the covers. Buster slides in behind me, his strong arms wrapping around me, pulling me close. I feel safe and protected in a way I haven't in years, if ever.

"Thank you," I murmur, my voice thick with emotion. "For being here, for taking care of me. I know you must have a million questions, your own chaos to deal with."

Buster's arms tighten around me. "You and Maddie come first right now," he says softly. "We'll figure everything else out later."

I close my eyes, feeling the steady beat of his heart against my back. Despite all the fear and uncertainty, I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Buster's presence, kindness, and selflessness are a beacon of light in the darkness of this terrifying situation.

As I start to drift off, I can't help but think how I've never felt so safe or so cared for during such a scary and sad time in my life. Whatever happens next, I'm thankful I don't have to face it alone.

"It turned everything I thought I knew on its head. My brain wasn't ready to understand this sudden shift. I went from thinking her father was a deadbeat who wanted nothing to do with his own daughter—or me, for that matter, if I didn't agree to an abortion—to thinking her father was a man who slept with me once and then ghosted me, never to be heard from or seen again for five years."

Tears start to well up, but I push on. "That's why I reacted so strangely. It was like a punch to the gut. And then, seeing you more often and spending time together turned that gut feeling into an obsession of thoughts and what-ifs. That's part of why I've been so hot and cold with you. I'm sorry."

The tears are flowing freely now. I bury my face in Buster's chest, feeling his steady heartbeat against my cheek.

"I never meant to keep anything from you," I sob. "I didn't know for sure. I always thought Steele was her father. But seeing you again, noticing little things about Maddie that reminded me of you. I'm so sorry, Buster. I should have said something sooner.”

I feel drained, emotionally and physically. The weight of everything—Maddie’s illness, the revelation about Buster's possible paternity—it’s all crashing down on me.

Buster's voice breaks through my exhausted haze. "Cole, you need to get some rest."

I nod weakly, knowing he's right but unsure if I can sleep with everything swirling in my mind.

"Can we..." Buster hesitates, then continues softly, "Can we get in bed together? I'd like to hold you if that's okay."

My heart swells at his request. Despite everything I've just dumped on him, despite the turmoil I know must be raging inside him, he's still here. He’s still caring for me.

"Yes," I whisper, grateful beyond words.

We move to the bedroom, and I slip under the covers. Buster slides in behind me, his strong arms wrapping around me, pulling me close. I feel safe and protected in a way I haven't in years, maybe ever.

"Thank you," I murmur, my voice thick with emotion. "For being here, for taking care of me. I know you must have a million questions, your own chaos to deal with."

Buster's arms tighten around me. "You and Maddie come first right now," he says softly. "We'll figure everything else out later."

I close my eyes, feeling the steady beat of his heart against my back. Despite all the fear and uncertainty, I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Buster's presence, kindness, and selflessness are a beacon of light in the darkness of this terrifying situation.

I feel a strange mix of comfort and vulnerability as I lie in Buster’s arms. His strong embrace envelops me, and his muscular arms are a fortress of warmth and security.

I feel loved and protected in a way I haven't experienced in years, maybe ever. My body melts into his familiar contours perfectly, as if our parts are part of a bigger puzzle.

Yet, even as I savor this moment of intimacy, I can't shake the overwhelming sense of helplessness consuming me. It creeps through my veins like ice, a stark reminder of my powerlessness and the precarious situation I find myself in.

---