Page 81 of Wants and Needs
“All right.” I swallow hard then lick my lips because they suddenly feel very dry.
“We can talk through some other possible investors tomorrow if you’d like to meet,” Tristan says but it sounds distant.
“I don’t know,” I whisper. “I?—”
This was theonlygood choice.
What the hell are we going to do now?
William and Parker trusted me with this side of ESoothe, and I’ve let them down. My parents have always believed in me fervently, and I couldn’t even manage this. I was supposed to be able to show something for all of it.
And now . . .
“Please send me the time and place,” I tell Tristan, and even I know my voice sounds way too flat now.
“I will. Try to get some rest, Liam, and we’ll find a solution eventually. Don’t give up hope.”
“I’ll try,” I tell him, being as honest as I can.
I end the call and place my phone carefully on the counter.
“Can I hug you?” Carter whispers softly.
I answer with a single nod and stare at the windows behind him as he wraps his arms around me.
“I’m sorry,” he says, his face tucked right against mine so his mouth is right by my ear.
I don’t know what to say, so I say nothing. No nice things come to mind right then.
“Do you need your earbuds?” he asks.
“Not right now.”
Right now I only want to stand here and feel Carter hugging me. That’s the only thing holding me together at the moment, his voice and his arms.
Breaking apart isn’t an option.
I haven’t given up anything in my life, and though I know I might not have a choice, I doubt I’ll feel like quitting when this shock leads to an emotional wave and that eventually passes.
“Will you stay?” I ask him. “Sleep here?” He keeps quiet for a moment and I hold my breath.
“Of course I’ll stay,” he finally says, and I exhale harshly.
“Just to sleep,” I clarify.
“Yeah, I’ll sleep here,” he murmurs. “Do you like cuddling?”
I’m surprised by the question but not able to show it in any significant way.
“I would like to cuddle with you,” I confirm.
“Good, cause I like holding you and kissing you, and I’d always thought it must be nice to be the little spoon, you know?”
That single sentence is miraculous enough to make me chuckle.
Just once, and not very enthusiastically, but it’s a chuckle.
“Seems you’re ready for a lot of things already,” I murmur, recalling our earlier conversation.
