Page 85 of My Destiny
“God, yes.”
The doctors have given me the all clear to leave. My tests came back clear, and thankfully my skull is not fractured. Apart from the stitches, a concussion, a few bruises, and the mental scars this ordeal has left me with, I feel grateful. Things could’ve ended far worse for me.
Logan gives me a sweet smile as he laces his fingers through mine. “Anyone would think you were looking forward to going home.”
What home? I’m not sure where I belong anymore. Even though I no longer have to worry about Jake, I don’t want to go back to my terrace house. It seems tainted now. “Would you mind if I stayed with you for a few more days, just until I find somewhere else to live?”
The smile on his face grows. “You’re welcome to stay with me as long as you’d like.”
A lump forms in my throat as I tighten my grip on his hand. He’s my knight in shining armour and prince charming all rolled into one. I’d be lost without him.
“Thank you.”
“You don’t need to thank me. To be honest, I was hoping you’d stay.”
“Anyone would think you like having me around,” I say, mirroring his words as I bump his shoulder with mine.
“I could think of worse people to be around.”
“Hey.” He lets go of my hand, draping his arm over my shoulder, and bundling me into his side. “Being with you is no hardship, I can assure you,” he says, placing a kiss on the top of my head. When we reach the lifts that will take us to the ground floor, Logan pauses, his gaze moving to the large blue sign at the end of the long corridor—Intensive Care Unit. I brace myself for the question that I know is about to come. “I understand you’re eager to get out of here, but would you mind if we visited my uncle quickly. I haven’t had a chance to thank him for what he did, and it would give me some peace to see him.”
The answer I want to give him is a big fat no, but I can’t bring myself to say it. If it will give him some peace, then I’m willing to make that sacrifice for him. I let out the breath I’d been holding. “Okay.”
He turns his body to face me, cupping my face in his hands. “Are you sure? I’d never force you into doing something you weren’t comfortable with, but I know seeing that you’re okay will lift his spirits.” I force a smile. I agreed to let him see his uncle, but I never said I’d go with him. I nod instead of answering, because I don’t trust myself to speak. “You’re amazing, you know that?” If he knew what I was thinking, I doubt he’d say that.
A weight settles in the pit of my stomach as we near the ICU. My feelings for this man aren’t good ones, and just being in close proximity to him makes me feel like I’m betraying my mother.
Growing up, my father wasn’t mentioned often, but when my mum did speak of him, her face would light up, but there was also an inimitable sadness in her eyes. It hurt me deeply to see how badly he’d broken her heart. She used to tell me how in love they’d been and how happy he had made her in the short time they’d been together. Of course, that all ended the day she told him she was carrying his child. I never said this to her, because I didn’t want to hurt her feelings, but the love was obviously one-sided, considering how poorly he’d treated her.
“You okay?” Logan asks, when we reach the doorway. Again, I just nod. I feel like I’m on the verge of hyperventilating. He reaches for my hand, lacing his fingers through mine. “You’re shaking.” My eyes meet his, and I can see the concern on his face. “Maybe I should come back and see him another time.”
I want to say that’s a great idea, but his uncle is a big part of his life, and I know our paths will cross on occasions. I don’t want this situation to come between Logan and me. “I’m okay,” I say. “I’m just nervous that’s all.”
“Are you sure you’re up to this?”
“Yes.”
He sighs. “Okay. If you’re sure. We won’t stay long.” He squeezes my hand before we enter.
“Kiddo,” I hear John say. He sounds weak, but it’s hard to tell from where I’m standing—or hiding, rather—behind Logan. His large body is blocking my view.
“How are you feeling?” Logan asks, tugging on my hand as he approaches the bed. “You had us worried.”
“I feel like shit,” he replies, chuckling. “Oh god, it hurts to laugh.”
“I brought you a special visitor.”
Crap!
I step out from behind Logan, forcing a smile. I’m in no way prepared for the amount of compassion I feel for him when our eyes meet. He looks different from the strong, vibrant man I saw a few days ago. There’s no denying he’s handsome, and I can see why my mother was so captivated by him, but all those machines he’s hooked up to make him appear fragile.
I briefly study his face as the room falls silent. The only sound is the beeping noises from the machines he’s attached too. Is it possible he could be my father? We look nothing alike. If anything, I may have inherited his height. Although I look exactly like my mother once did, I’m a lot taller than she was.
My heart thumps in my chest. Sometimes when I was a little girl, I craved for him to come waltzing back into our lives—for both me, and for my mum. When I found out the cold hard truth, that’s when all my dreams were crushed and my resentment for him started to brew. But in this moment, none of that hate seems to be present.
“Brooke!” His face lights up when he says my name, and for some reason it makes me happy.
Logan slides his arm around my waist, pulling my body into his side. Having him with me gives me the courage to speak. “Hi.”
