Page 66 of Forbidden You

When our eyes lock, my heart feels like it stops, and I press my back flush against the wall. He can take my breath away at the most insignificant moments, doing something to every fiber in my being.

We ride down and a few minutes later, we’re driving through the city in his red Charger. Even though he still won’t let me drive, sitting next to him as he does feels like this car is as much his as it is mine. Like the passenger seat is mine, and my spot is beside him no matter what.

I know it’s bullshit, but I take comfort in these moments, appreciating whatever weird relationship we seem to have built. As much as I feel a huge amount of desire for him, it’s also accompanied by a friendship I’ve never felt for anyone except my cousin. With Bodi around, I don’t feel alone. I trust him. And that is something no man has ever given me.

Ten minutes later, we arrive at Peartree Park, and we make our way through the deserted hallways and upstairs to his father’s room. It isn’t hard to figure out where we need to be, when we hear the blaring roars of his father. Bodi breaks out in a jog, and I follow behind him, appreciating the fact that I’ve put my Doc Martens on instead of my hooker heels.

He crashes through the open door, and I follow just in time to see how he falls to his knees in front of his father.

“Leave me alone, you demons!” The look on Mr. McKay is vacant and dark as he swings his arms around to get everyone off. As if he’s not completely conscious but completely captivated by his confusion. Two male nurses hold his arms back while a female nurse tries to soothe him with comforting words, but it isn’t until his gaze springs to the man jumping in front of his sight that he seems to somewhat snap out of it.

“Dad! I’m here!” Bodi shouts.

I register how he tries to stay in control of his voice, acting like the sensible grown up, but the distress seeps through, regardless.

“No!” Mr. McKay shouts in response. “Ava! Help me! Where is my wife?”

A sad feeling showers my body, feeling the pain of this man asking for his deceased wife rippling through my skin.

“I’m here, Dad! It’s me! Bodi!”

When he hears his son’s name, his expression softens, and I notice how he relaxes his muscles. After a few seconds, Mr. McKay seems to return when a sad yet relieved small smile forms on his lips.

“Bodi?”

“I’m here.”

The man rubs his hand over his face, then presses his fingers in his eyes as he tries to push back the tears. “What’s happening? I don’t know what is happening?” His voice breaks, and at the same time, my heart cracks. “Where is she?”

“She’s not here, Dad.”

Mr. McKay shakes his head.

“I know, Dad. It’s okay,” Bodi whispers. “You’re okay.”

He’s not.Nor am I.

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” His weeps cut through me, and I gasp, pressing my hand against my mouth. The sight is heartbreaking, watching how this grown man seems to have completely lost touch with the world around him. The confusion in his words is tangible, and I wish there was something I could do.

“It’s okay, Dad. Don’t worry about it.” I hear how Bodi replies before a nurse moves in my line of sight. She gives me a small yet reprimanding smile.

“I’m sorry, miss. You’re going to have to wait outside.”

“Err,” I croak out, a little flabbergasted. “Yeah, of course.” I tilt my head to look past her. “Bodi? I’ll wait outside.”

He rears his head over his shoulder, and my heart cracks further when I see how glossed his eyes are.Oh, my god.

“No!” he barks, making the nurse’s eyebrows move to her hairline. “She stays.”

“But, sir, at this hour, only family is allowed.”

Clearly not in the mood for a discussion, Bodi’s gaze darkens and his upper lip moves up into a snarl that leaves no room for argument.

“I’m family. And she is withme.”

That shoudn’t make me feel ten feet tall, but it really fucking does, and I can sense my confidence growing with it.

The nurse takes a step back, conceding by silently offering me to step farther into the room while Bodi turns his attention back to his crying dad. My feet carry me toward him, and without thought, I rest my palm on his shoulder to show him I’m here for him as he sniffles while holding his dad’s hand. It feels completely natural to be there for him in any way I can, feeling special about how he is willing to share this with me. To show me the emotion he feels about his father’s condition.

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