Page 152 of The Manny

He smiled. “Yeah, I know.”

I gazed up at him, taking in his handsome, familiar face. He was being so kind to me, it made me feel warm and fuzzy. He hadn’t looked at me with such gentleness in ages. Gone was the guarded chilly expression he’d sported the last few weeks.

“I’m so tired.”

“You should just keep resting. They said you’ll be released in the morning.” His thumb swept my skin and his voice was soothing. “I’ll drive you home.”

“Home,” I repeated softly. My thoughts were so muddled, I suspected they’d given me something to help with the pain. “You’re being so nice to me,” I mumbled.

His gaze flickered, but he didn’t respond.

Now that I knew Mia was okay, I could relax. I closed my eyes, trying not to focus on the throbbing of my head. “Maybe I will just sleep a little more.”

“Yes.” Jack squeezed my hand. “I’ll stay here with you, okay? I’ll handle everything, Thomas. Don’t worry about anything.”

I sighed, letting the grogginess take over. “I wish you’d still be this sweet when I wake up,” I whispered.

I had no idea if he answered me or not because I drifted off, with my hand still cradled in his.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Jack

Thomas is dead.

Those three horrifying words are what I’dthoughtCrispin said to me over the phone. I still felt like puking when I remembered that awful moment. Crispin had called me from the hospital in a panic, and because of the horrible cell phone reception, “Thomas hit his head” had been transformed into those other gut-wrenching words.

Even now, with Thomas safely sleeping at home in the other room, I couldn’t shake the dread that had engulfed me in that moment. I’d been at work when I’d got the call, and my legs had almost given out when I’d thought Thomas had— I shook my head, unable to eventhinkthe word.

Mia was still at Aiden’s, and at the moment I sat in my living room with all the lights off, nursing a tumbler of whiskey. Thinking I’d lost Thomas had clarified a lot of things for me. For those few minutes where I’d thought he was gone forever, the anguish and regret I’d felt had been one of the most painful things I’d ever experienced.

I wasn’t sure if Thomas would forgive me for being so cold and horrible to him the last month, but I was willing to grovel at his feet if it would help. I’d been so self-centered and worried about getting hurt, I’d ignored how strong my feelings were for Thomas. Even if he broke my heart a hundred times, it would never hurt as much as thinking he’d died, without me ever even trying to be with him.

Kenny and the pain he’d caused felt like a bee sting to me now. Why had I held onto that hurt for so long? I’d wasted so much of my life letting that coward steal my joy. First my dad had taken my childhood, and my anger at Kenny and his brother had robbed the second half of my life. But I’d allowed it. Like a fool I’d wallowed in anger and resentment, when someone as wonderful as Thomas stood next to me, trying to help me out of that pit of despair. And how had I repaid Thomas for his loving concern? I’d rejected him and treated him like an asshole.

I groaned and took a big swig off my drink, wincing as it burned a trail down my throat. Would Thomas forgive me? Or had I hurt him so deeply, he now wouldn’t trust me? Would he still go to Germany and leave me and Mia here, alone? Not if I could help it. I’d been given a second chance with him, and I wasn’t going to throw it away. I’d do anything it took to convince Thomas to stay with Mia and me.

He belongs with us.

Yesterday morning, he’d acted as if he was happy about going to Germany. I suspected he’d been faking his enthusiasm, but there was the possibility he truly did think leaving me behind was the best thing for him. Perhaps he was excited about starting a new chapter, without me in it. I wouldn’t know until we had the chance to really talk. There had been too many interruptions at the hospital, and he’d been sleeping since I’d brought him home.

I finished my whiskey and got up to check on Thomas. I quietly tiptoed into his room, and I sat on the edge of his bed. His breathing was slow and deep, and I studied his slack features. He was so handsome, just looking at him made my pulse race. How had I ever actually believed I could just let him go? I’d been deluding myself that I wouldn’t miss him. I’d been so terrified he might break my heart, I’d pushed him away first. That all seemed pretty stupid to me now.

Thomas let out a whimper and opened his eyes. He seemed to be half asleep, but then his gaze focused on me. “Jack?” His voice was soft and uncertain.

I took his hand in mine. “I’m here.”

He swallowed. “I had such weird dreams.”

“Everything is okay.” I squeezed his fingers.

He watched me silently for a few moments, then he said, “Mia is still with Aiden?”

“Yes.”

He tugged his hand from mine, and said gruffly, “Sorry to be so much trouble.”

“None of this was your fault.”

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