Page 68 of Branson's Promise

“I have no idea. Getting information out of anyone here is like trying to get water from a fucking stone. They keep avoiding my questions or appeasing me with half answers.”

“They’re just doing their jobs, Noel. I’m sure he’s in good hands, and we will hear more when they have more to tell us.” I took one tiny step forward, my hand reaching towards him. “Let’s take a seat and wait together.”

“No! Don’t do that. You don’t get to come in here and tell me what to do. I want answers and I’m sick of waiting!” Noel shouted.

I took another step forward.

“He’s my boyfriend too, despite everything that went down earlier. We’re lucky they even allowed us in here in the first place. You taking your frustrations out on the nurses or doctors is going to rescind that kindness. You’re upset and you’re afraid and you’re lashing out at me. I deserve that but -”

“Of course I’m upset. My entire fucking world crashed at my feet and I couldn’t stop it.” He threw his hands in the air, then moved to press his back to the wall. I took a step closer, the gap between us closing further.

“The doctor said he’ll be okay. He just needs time to recover.”

“I’m not just talking about Branson. Why can’t you see that?” His voice raised, booming through the empty room just as he looked up and over my shoulder.

“The two of you, get out.” I turned towards the voice and came face to face with August. His dark hair was ruffled, the hoodie he was wearing had the sleeves bunched up, revealing his toned forearms and he looked sad, with red rims lining his brown eyes.

Noel moved so he was standing next to me, his back straight as he addressed the man in front of us. “I’m not going anywhere, not until I’ve seen Branson.”

“I don’t give a fuck what you want, Noel. When I gave permission for the two of you to wait here for him, I naively thought that you’d sorted out whatever shit you had going on. But clearly, if what I walked into is any indication, I’m going to guess you haven’t.”

Noel went to respond but August stepped forward until they were almost chest to chest. Noel may have had some height on the smaller guy but August was all fire and authority. “They’re bringing him back in the next ten minutes. Get out, take Milo with you and fix this. I do not care what it takes but do not come back in here until you have. You love each other, that is very clear, so before he wakes up and finds everything he’s dreamed of destroyed, get your act together, talk and make it right.”

August moved away from Noel and stood to the right of the door, his foot tapping on the linoleum as he eyed us.

Resting a hand on Noel’s arm, I guided him wordlessly out of the room and down a narrow, empty corridor. A nurse in blue scrubs rushed past us, his shoes squeaking on the floor as he went, the sound fading the further away he got. No one else was around and I angled my body so my back was to the wall, my front facing Noel. I was ready to admit I was wrong, to tell him I was never going to give either of them up no matter where in the world life took us. I’d barely got the thought together when he pulled me into his arms and buried his face in the crook of my neck. His heart beat rhythmically against mine and we stayedlike that for a moment, holding each other, accepting that it was what we both really needed. There was so much power in a hug.

When Noel spoke, his voice was thick, tight with emotion. “You and Branson are my whole universe, my everything. I don’t want to be without either of you.” Wetness seeped into the fabric of my top as each word burrowed its way into my heart.

“I'd give it all up for you,” Noel whispered. “Every last pound, every last dollar. I don't need it but I do need you. Both of you.” He pulled back to look at me and I cupped his face with my hands, watching as a lone tear tracked down his cheek. “I know we can make this work. I’ll go to London alone and when I can, I’ll come back to the two of you. I don’t know how long that will be but I will. I will always come back for you and then, I’ll give it all away, my money, my job, whatever you need me to do to make you comfortable enough to love me completely, without anything in the way.” His words were impassioned and pleading and it both hurt and warmed me that he would give up everything to be with us.

But he didn’t have to, and I would never let him. Noel Bennett, the hotel mogul, the man who liked to spend money on ridiculous gifts and fancy holidays, the man who wanted to buy his boyfriend an entire farmers’ market just to make him smile, my Mr Moneybags, was the man I loved and I loved every part of him.

I shook my head, “No, you don’t have to do that.”

“But, wha-” Noel started and I pressed my lips to his, stealing his words.

“I’ll go with you. Wherever this life takes us, I’m all in. I had it all wrong, Noel. It was never about you controlling me or me being indebted to you, it was just me not understanding that sometimes, when you’re in love, the other person takes care of you because they want to, not because it gives them power overyou. It’s okay to rely on people, especially the people who love you most.”

“That’s what you thought? That me supporting you financially was a way for me to control your life?”

I nodded, ashamed at how poor my judgement had been. Bracing myself for his anger or his hurt, I breathed a sigh of relief when he kissed me gently and ran a hand through my hair until it rested firmly on the back of my neck. He pulled me closer and my body soaked in his comforting scent. “I would never do that. You’re not mine to control, you’re mine to love and protect.” He kissed me again, then moved his lips to my cheek. “Mine to worship.” He kissed my neck and my skin broke out in a thousand tiny goosebumps. “Mine to praise.” Noel peppered my neck with more tender kisses before finally returning to look at me.

“We both said things we didn’t mean. I should never have pushed you away, told you you weren’t needed. You are always needed. I’m sorry I took my anger out on you, love.”

“That’s okay, I know what it’s like to act out of fear and not think before speaking. Can we go get our boyfriend now?” I asked and for the first time in hours, felt the corners of my lips rise. Noel mirrored me as he took my hand and led us back to Branson’s room.

Chapter 34

Branson

In all of this, I hope you will be happy. Promise me, that wherever life takes you, whoever you meet, whatever job you do, or place you settle down in, that you will be happy.

Muffled voices in the room brought me out of a deep slumber, although, judging by the ache in my side and head, ‘slumber’ was probably not the right word. I couldn’t place my surroundings, nor could I open the lead shutters that weremy eyelids. Beeping that matched the rhythm of my heartbeat sounded from somewhere in the room and I strained to hear the voices over it.

“I’m glad you two got your act together.” I knew that voice, I had known it for most of my life.

“We appreciate you being here, August. You’re a good friend.” I recognised the deep timber of Milo’s voice.

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