Page 26 of Enamored
“No.” He rubs his forehead and closes his eyes. “I have a headache and an early morning. I think I’m going to pack my stuff and go to bed.”
“Okay. I’ll help,” I offer.
“No. It’s fine. I can do it on my own.”
Please, don’t shut me out, Tristan.I don’t say that, though. “Okay,” falls from my lips as I watch him walk away.
After some time has passed, I turn the light off in the living room and tip-toe into the bedroom. All the lights are off, and his back is to the door. His breathing seems deep and even, and I wonder how he can even sleep. I pull the covers down and crawl under them, kissing his shoulder before I turn my back to him.
He shifts, pulls me into his arms, and kisses the back of my head. “I’m sorry. It’s a lot to deal with right now, and I do better alone.”
“I know. I don’t want to push you, but I don’t want you to shut me out either. I’m here to talk when you’re ready,” I say quietly.
“Thank you, Lana. You mean the world to me. Please, don’t give up on me. I’ll come around.”
“I know. I’ll be waiting.”
Chapter 14
Tristan
This damn flight feels like it’s taking days, not hours. There is still another hour until we land, and I haven’t gotten any more updates from Dad. They put her in a medically induced coma due to brain swelling. He told me she has a bunch of broken bones, and the doctor was surprised she’d made it through.
My leg bounces with nervous energy as I replay the conversation in my head. Holden is watching over things at the ranch since Dad refuses to leave the hospital. I texted him last night to tell him I’m coming home, and he told me everything is going to work out. I pray to God he’s right.
The stewardess walks past me and offers me something to drink. Hard liquor would be great right now, but I need to keep a clear head. I shake my head and close my eyes, trying to stop the building headache.
Lana was so fucking sweet, doing this for me. I wish she was able to come with me, though. I never realized how lost I felt until she stepped foot in my life again. I can feel it when she’s not close, and I fucking hate it. I am finally starting to feel like my life is turning around, and I have her to thank for it. I’m going out of my fucking mind without her here. When she came to bed last night, my racing mind finally settled.
I need that.
I need her.
She told me about an upcoming trip for a new client, so she will be out of the country for a few days. I didn’t want to pry too much since it’s her job, so I settled on getting a schedule when we could talk to catch up.
Finally, the captain makes an announcement about our initial descent into Laramie, and for the first time this entire trip, the knot in my chest loosens, and I feel I can breathe easier. I rub the spot of my chest that has been under pressure for too long and take a deep breath.
I’m too impatient, and since we are close to the ground, I take my phone off airplane mode and pull up a text to Holden.
Me:I’m almost there. Any news from my dad?
Holden:Not yet, want me to come get you?
Me:No, I’m going right to the hospital to see Mom. Let me know if anything major happens, and I’ll keep you posted.
I place my phone to my ear, listening as it rings, and the woman next to me glares at me.I really don’t give a shit, lady.It switches to voicemail, and I hang up without leaving a message. The wheels hit the tarmac, and we taxi up to the gate. If they don’t let me off this flying tin can soon, I’m going to burst.
When they finally free me, I race to the exit, locating my ride easily. I give her the address for the hospital and pray she’s a fast driver.
As I walk down the hallway to Mom’s room, my heart feels like it’s beating out of my chest. My phone rings with a new message, and when I see who it is, a calm washes over me. Lana.
Lana:I miss you. I hope everything is okay with your mom and the flight was good. Call me when you have a few minutes of free time.
God, I want to call her so bad. She has no idea how perfect her timing is, but right now, it’s important I get to Mom and get an update. I take a deep breath when I locate her room, and a nurse carrying a small tray closes the door tight behind her. I knock and push the door open. Dad looks up at me and offers a small smile in my direction.
“Hey, Dad. How is she?”
“Stable. They took her off the medicine keeping her in a coma, but she still hasn’t woken up yet. Docs said they aren’t worried. It can take a few days.” He looks back at her, lifts her hand to his lips, and plants a gentle kiss on the back of it.
