Page 86 of Bae

The nurse pointed to the very last room at the end of the hall, and I rushed past. She was smart because she got the hell out of my way. I didn’t hesitate at the door. I didn’t debate on the sight I might find.

I didn’t care.

Please just let her be breathing.

There was a curtain drawn around the bed, still hiding her from sight. It pissed me off, and I grabbed a handful of the material and ripped it back.

“Rimmel!” I roared as I yanked. The sound of seams ripping and metal groaning against metal filled the room.

A nurse looked up from the bedside; her loud gasp didn’t even register.

Rimmel’s body jerked with shock. The bed was in a sitting position, her body relaxed against the mattress. Her eyes went wide like saucers, and her too-pale cheeks began to bloom with faint color.

“Romeo!” Her voice was muffled, and she grabbed at the oxygen mask covering her face.

An oxygen mask.

I had a brief moment of tunnel vision when all I could see was that thing covering her mouth and nose. A thing helping her breathe.

She’s supposed to be able to breathe on her own.

A sound I’d never heard before ripped from deep inside me. I dove at her. My entire body wrapped around hers, and I pulled her close, squeezing her as tight as I dared. Half her body was lifted off the bed. I supported almost all her weight.

She was small. Fragile. So easily broken.

She’s having trouble breathing.

My face disappeared in her neck. The strands of her naturally unruly hair threatened to suffocate me, but I barely noticed. She smelled like home.

She was my entire life.

A tremor racked my chest. I felt it move beneath my ribs.

Her hands splayed out across my back, gripping with strength I thanked God for. A few seconds went by, and she tried to pull back, but I refused to budge. I wasn’t letting go.

Her head wiggled, but I still didn’t move.

“Sir,” the nurse said from the bedside.

I growled.

“Rome,” B said, kicking me lightly. “You’re squishing Rim’s mask.”

I pulled back only inches, enough so she could reach between us and pull down the mask so it hung around her neck.

“Don’t worry. I’m not pregnant.” She hurried to assure me. The tone of her voice nearly severed the only thread that was still holding me together.

But then her words sank in.

I drew back, staring down into her eyes. “Why would you say that to me right now,” I demanded, anger punching me in my already scrambled and twisted guts.

“I…” Her mouth opened and closed, her features surprised.

Did she really think I cared about that more than I did her? What. The. Fuck?

Did she care about that more than herself? Again: What. The. Fuck?

I made a sound, unable to even process that shit. I grabbed her close again, holding her tighter than I should. “It’s you I’m worried about, baby. Only you.”

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