Page 667 of Rock Me All Night
"I want to be around you," he says.
"I want you to love me, but we don't always get what we want." My heart rises up into my throat. Dammit. I feel free and caged at once. My love sends me soaring high. His non-response sends me crashing back to earth.
My phone rings again.
Again.
Again.
Fine. I find it on the bedside table. Sure enough, it's Madison. Pete is still staring at me. I rub my forehead to stave off the impending headache.
"Your sister?" he asks. His voice is soft, sweet, like he's only thinking of me again.
I nod. "I better take this." I pull off my glasses so I can better rub my temples. Damn. Running out of time. I pick up the phone and hold it to my ear. "What's wrong?"
"Dad is in the hospital."
My hand falls back to my side. There's no fighting the headache now. "What happened?"
"He was drinking. I found him… like before. The doctor said he'll be okay in a few days. But…"
"I'll leave as soon as I can."
"I'm sorry, Jess. If you want to leave him to drink himself to death, I understand. You're trying to have a life. I want one too." She chokes back a sob. "I wish I knew what to do. You're better at this."
"That's okay. I'll text you my flight info."
"I'll pick you up at the airport."
"You don't have to."
"Please. I want to." Her voice breaks. "I called Zoe. She's flying up from Florida today."
"Good." My head throbs. I fall back onto the bed, pressing my eyes together. I try to blink back tears but it’s impossible. These aren’t happy tears. I’m terrified. "I'll see you soon. I love you."
"I love you too."
My hands fall to my sides. The phone falling on the bed. This is happening too fast. But at least everything is clear now. Pete doesn't love me. Dad isn't getting better. Madison needs my help.
The weight shifts on the bed. His arms are around me again. I'm limp, pliable. He pulls my body into his. Clarity, what clarity? I can't walk away from him. Not when he feels this good.
"Your dad?" he asks.
I nod. "He should be okay, but…"
"I want to come with you."
I want him to come with me. But I'm not sure I can take it. I wait for my tears to quiet then for the fear in my stomach to settle down.
I wait until I can meet his gaze. "You aren't a gentleman."
He nods.
"So if I ask you not to come, and you want me, you'll fight for me."
"Don't play a game. Tell me what you want."
"I want my dad to be sober. I want law school to be easier. I want my own house on the beach and my own fancy Tesla, but I want mine to be silver. I want the biggest cup of coffee in the world. And I want you to love me." I wipe my eyes. "Can't have any of that. Might as well want to live on Mars."
