Page 98 of Unbearable

“Come here.” I patted the space on the bed next to me and ignored the pain in my chest.

“You’re hurt. I can’t.”

“I’ll be worse if you’re not next to me in ten seconds,” I assured her.

She looked at me for a second before sliding in next to me on my uninjured side.

“I was so scared, Trent,” she admitted, her voice breaking.

“I know, sunshine.” I squeezed her hand. “I’m surprised you’re not in a hospital bed, too. Did you get checked out?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. Just a concussion. I was discharged yesterday. Don’t worry about me.”

“I’ll always worry about you, Dotty. You were fucking kidnapped. I was terrified I lost you forever,” I confessed, my voice wavering.

“Hey, I’m right here.” She smiled, though sadness lingered in her eyes.

“I’m going to keep this as short as I possibly can because my throat fucking burns…” I started.

“No,” she interrupted firmly.

“No?” I asked, confused.

“It’s my turn,” she said softly. She took a deep breath. “I’m scared, but I refuse to pretend I’m not in love with you for another second.” Her tears flowed freely. “I don’t know what this means for us—your life in Woodstone, mine in Seattle—but I don’t care anymore. I’ve lived my entire life, being too scared to make the move, too scared to do anything outside of my comfort zone, too scared to feel. Then you march your stupid way back into my life and make mefeelthings again. You make me feel things I didn’t even know I had the capability to. And I might never forgive you for it because you made me love you when I thought I couldn’t love anyone.” She let out a chuckle that morphed into a sob. “You’ve made me feel things I didn’t think I could again. I’m stupidly in love with you, Trent.”

My heart raced at her admission.

“I am so stupidly in love withyou, Dotty.” My voice was rough, but I continued on. “There was always something special about you, even when we were crazy kids running around on your dad’s ranch. Yourlight—everything about you—drew me in from the very beginning. Even with everything in our past, I never stopped loving you. For as long as I can remember, my heart has belonged to you and you alone. I fucking love you, Dotty. I will never apologize for that.”

Her tears fell faster. “I love you too, cowboy.”

I pulled her close, kissing her softly, unable to hide my smile, knowing I would hopefully be stealing her kisses for years to come.

I was almost convinced her kisses alone could heal me. Each touch of her lips seemed to infuse me with warmth and strength, mending the fractures I thought would never heal. Her mouth was everything I needed andmore. Her lips were soft whispers gently caressing my skin.

“Say it again,” I whispered between kisses.

“I love you,” she echoed, and despite the bullet hole in my chest, I felt like a million bucks.

“I should go let everyone know. I know they are anxious to see you,” she said.

I groaned. “But I don’t want you to leave.”

“I’ll be right back. Can’t have you getting too clingy now anyway.” She winked before striding out of the room.

A few minutes later, there was a knock on the door, and Dotty entered with Henry.

“Hey,” I greeted.

“Hey, Trent.” Henry peered down at his feet. “This is a little awkward…” He cleared his throat. “But I wanted you to hear it from me. I had no idea about the stuff Chris was involved in.” He glanced up, his eyes red and puffy. “If I had known, I would’ve stopped it. I’m so sorry, man. I never thought he could do something like this.” His words choked with emotion.

“Henry, it’s not your fault. Chris was sick. You did everything you could. Please don’t blame yourself,” I reassured him.

He paused, composing himself. “Thanks, man. That means a lot.” He rubbed his brow. “I wanted to apologize. I know you probably want to see everyone else, so I’ll leave you be. Let’s grab a beer once you’re feeling up to it.”

“Definitely. I’d like that.”

I held no ill will toward Henry. Our friendship went way back, and while we weren’t as close as I was with Dorian, he had always been there for me.

---