Page 74 of We Own Tonight
Brody: Rachel and I send our love. Let me know what I cando.
Nothing. You can’t do a damnthing.
Kristin: I talked to Nicole, I’m so sorry, Heather. Do you want me to comeover?
I reply to Kristin right away. I don’t want to seeanyone.
Me: Thanks, but I’m not up forcompany.
It doesn’t matter that I’m at Eli’s house. She’ll show up. That’s Kristin’s nature, she’s the caretaker in our group, and I don’t want to be mothered. I don’t want anyone to make me feel better rightnow.
I try to remember what it was like when I lost my parents. Was I this devastated? I think I was, but I had Stephanie to worry about. I didn’t focus on the sorrow. I had to be strong, give her hope, and make sure we would be okay. My friends were around, but we were also college aged. It wasn’t likenow.
Eli enters the room, and I use all my energy to stay upright. I tighten my arm, hugging myselftogether.
“Did you eat anything?” heasks.
“Nothungry.”
The bed shifts slightly as he climbs in next to me. “Okay.”
I look up, not expecting that. I figured he’d fight me to do something other than drown in mypain.
“Don’t look surprised. You have to grieve the way you want. I’m just trying to be here in whatever way youneed.”
Tears fill my eyes, blurring him out a little. I lunge forward into his arms. I don’t know why or what comes over me, but I need him to comfort me. He falls back, taking me with him and wrapping me tightly in his arms. The tears fall silently as I listen to the beat of hisheart.
He’s been here every second since it happened. Even when I couldn’t care for myself, he made sure I was okay. I turn my head so that I can see his face. Eli gives me a sad smile, and appreciation overwhelms me. These have been the worst hours of my life, and he’s stood byme.
“Thank you,Eli.”
He threads his fingers in my hair. “You don’t have to thankme.”
“We haven’t been together all thatlong.”
“It doesn’t mean that what we feel for each other isn’t real. I told you I wasn’t going anywhere, and I meantit.”
I close my eyes and another tear escapes from the corner. “I’m going to be sad for abit.”
I might as well warn him now, let him run before I fall even harder. It would have to be him leaving, too. I don’t think I’m strong enough to walk away even if I wantedto.
“Baby, look at me,” he urges. I open my eyes, and he sits up, causing me to have to do the same. “You should be sad. I didn’t know Stephanie like you did, and I’m sad. I don’t think you understand how I feel about us . . . about you. I’m not going to leave you because you’re sad. I’m not walking away, I’m staying here withyou.”
“You leave in a week,” I remindhim.
His hands grip my shoulders and then move to my neck. “I told my producers I’m not coming next week. I’ll go to New York after we figure thisout.”
My fingers wrap around his wrist, and I press my forehead to his. “I don’t know what tosay.”
“You don’t need to say anything,” he murmurs. “Just let me take care ofyou.”
His lips brush mine with hesitation, and I make the movement to connect us. It isn’t about passion. It’s about something deeper. Our kiss is soft, sweet, and comforting. In all the sadness, he gives me hope that the sun will shine again. It’s a brush of lips that tempts me to believe he’ll combat the clouds and ward off the storms so I can feel the warmth of the rays again. I hope he’s ready for Mother Nature’sfury.
Chapter Twenty
Heather
It’s beenseventy-six hours since my sister died. I’ve been cocooned in the comfort of Eli’s home. He’s been patient, kind, loving, and attentive. When we first met, I would’ve laughed if someone told me this is what he’d be like. I assumed he was a rich, selfish, arrogant prick who only cared about his wants. Because . . . that’s the illusion of acelebrity.
