Page 91 of Taking Care of You
I shake my head. “Nightmare. I’m scared to go back to sleep.”
“Want me to get in the bed with you?” I nod and he hauls himself off the air mattress and moves to the other side of the bed, opposite my injured leg.
Once he’s comfortable, I scoot closer to him, and he tucks me against his chest, his chin on my head. “What was your dream about?”
“I dreamed that I couldn’t save you,” I say in a choked whisper. Just thinking about that makes my chest hurt.
“But you did. I wish I could take your place. I wish it was me laid up like this so you wouldn’t hurt.”
“I’m fine,” I retort.
“No you’re not, but you will be. I’ll take care of you, creep. What will make you feel better? What can I do?”
“Kiss me?” I look up at him and Ethan smiles at me, cupping my face with his large hands. He tilts my head back and joins our lips. Delicate kisses, no heat or arousal. Just comfort. Exactly what I need—to realize that I really am safe and in the arms of the man I love.
He pulls back and rubs my cheek. “You think you should talk to someone? A professional?”
Nodding, I carefully arrange myself so I don’t bump my leg. “Me and my dad are going to go. He wants to do family therapy. I said I would.”
Ethan hugs me tight to him, rocking us a little. “That’s great, creep. I’m glad you and your dad are patching things up.”
“Me too.” I tell him about how Dad said he left my mom and he has a new place downtown. How he got a promotion at work and is cutting back on his hours. And how he’s taking some much needed vacation time, which I know he needs because he’s been sleeping a lot.
“I wish he could take the vacation time and not have to worry about coming back and forth to check on me,” I say.
“He’s your dad. He doesn’t mind checking to make sure you’re okay. And we can set him up in your old room for nights you want him to stay over.”
I look up at him quickly, a smile on my face and tears in my eyes. “You guys would do that for me?”
Giving me a incredulous look, he rolls his eyes. “Creep, I think my parents would give you the moon if you asked for it. And that was before you saved my life. I actually think theymight like you more than they like me.” He has an exasperated look on his face, but I know he’s teasing.
It means a lot that he and his family are willing to help us like this. Even before the accident, Frank and Grace went out of their way to make sure I was taken care of, safe from my abuser.
My road to recovery will be a long one. I’m going to need a lot of help and I know I’m going to have Ethan, my dad, and his parents in my corner, helping me every step of the way.
“That’s not true,” I say with a chuckle. “They just like me because you forced me on them.”
He chuckles and kisses the top of my head. “Nah. They liked you immediately. Just like me.” He blows out a deep breath and runs his hands up and down my arm. “Does it hurt real bad?”
“Yes.” I wish I could lie to him. I wish I could spare his feelings but we’ve never lied to each other, not even to make the other feel better. However, I try to ease his mind a little. “After this last surgery, it’ll get better. Give me a few months and I might be able to run outside and throw a football with you and Ryder.”
That makes Ethan really laugh. But I don’t even care. He knew before we got together that I’m not sports-inclined, so it’s whatever.
“When you’re ready, I’ll show you how to throw one.”
“You think you can hold me until I fall asleep?”
He leans down and drags the blanket over me, careful that it doesn’t hurt my leg. When he sits back, he settles me against his chest. “Of course, creep. I’ll do anything for you.”
Sighing, I get as close as my leg will allow me and kiss his pec.
God, this is the best place to be. Wrapped in Ethan's arms, safe and knowing I am loved. And I know that, no matter what bad dreams may come, he'll always be here.
Taking care of me.
EPILOGUE
ETHAN- FOUR YEARS LATER
