Page 104 of Despite It All
Not that I don’t deserve a good ass chewing but it needs to come from Wyla. I check my phone, it’s a little after seven, and Levi said that Owen and Wav brought Wyla her car since they’ve been discharged so he’ll drop me off at her house.
When we pull into her driveway, I’m out of the car before it’s even in park. I want to barrage in the door, pull my girls in my arms and never let go, but I’m not entirely sure I deserve that right now.
I knock lightly before turning the knob to go in. I don’t see Stevie or Wyla in the living room but Poppy barks incessantly at me, not that I blame her, I’d bark at me too.
“Shh, Poppy, it’s me.” I pet her head, trying to calm her down.
“Jett?” Wyla comes around the corner, and in two steps I’ve got her wrapped up in my arms.
“I’m here, baby girl, I’m here.” Her arms tighten around my waist and she lets it all out. “I’m so sorry, Wy. I should’ve been here sooner.”
I kiss the top of her head before she steps back and swats at my stomach. “Why the hell didn’t you answer me?”
She doesn’t wait for me to answer before she wraps her arms around me again.
Squeezing her, I kiss her head again. “I left my phone in the locker room during the game. Wyla, I’m so sorry.”
“Daddy!” Stevie runs around the corner in one of her princess nightgowns.
To say I give her a bear hug would be an understatement. Picking her up and holding her tightly, she hugs me back for a minute then wiggles. “Too tight, Daddy.”
“I’m sorry, Little Bee.” I let her go, and really look at my daughter. She’s okay, her blonde curls are as wild as usual, her dimples showing with a smile that’s just as beautiful as her mothers, she’s okay. Fuck, now I think I’m crying.
“Stevie, I’m so sorry I wasn’t here sooner.”
She fiddles with the hem of her nightgown. “It’s okay. I was really scared for a little bit, but Mommy gave me a shot then I got to ride in an ambulance too. It was kind of cool, but I was still a little scared.”
I can’t help it… I hug her tightly again. “Daddy, I’m okay now.”
I sigh, trying to soak up another second of the hug until she wiggles again.
“Are you staying here tonight?” Stevie asks.
“Yeah, sweetie, I’m staying.”
Even if Wyla wants me to sleep on the couch, there’s no way I can leave them.
Chapter 36
The past eight hours have been absolute hell. I feel mentally fucking drained. Jett’s finally here, I can’t decide if I want to rage at him for taking fucking forever or have him hold me through the panic attack I’ve pushed down all day.
Stevie’s okay. I keep looking at her to remind myself. She’s okay. I’m not entirely sure I am though.
As we got discharged, one of the nurses told me I was okay to give Stevie some Benadryl tonight. I know the doctor said we were in the clear but I think the nurse could still see the panic in my eyes.
It takes about half an hour for the medicine to kick in and Stevie asks to go to sleep. I offer to let her sleep in my bed but she refuses, claiming she just wants Poppy to stay in her room with her.
Jett and I tuck her in, and even though I’m a little pissed I couldn’t get a hold of him, I can see the pain in his eyes too. Witnessing everything was absolutely terrifying, but I know hearing it and not being able to get here right away tore Jett up too.
With about fifteen I love you’s from the both of us, I shut her door and take what feels like my first actual breath in hours.
“Wy, look at me, baby.” Jett tilts my chin up. “Are you okay?”
“No.” It tumbles out of me along with all of my tears. Jett pulls me into him, then scoops me up, carrying me to my room. “You’re carrying me princess style?”
The corner of his mouth pulls into the slightest smile. “Didn’t seem like the time for over the shoulder.” He settles us down on the bed and sighs. “I promise if you tell me to go sleep on the couch, I won’t blame you… but I need to hold you for just a few minutes.”
I rest my head on his chest, wrap my arm around his waist, and twisting my legs through his. “Don’t you dare leave me. I may want to yell at you a little bit, but I need you here way more.”
