Page 68 of Ky
Chris looked so pale. The bandage on his neck seemed so big to me. I took long, heavy steps until I was at his side. With a sigh, I took his hand in mine. It was cold and clammy. I hated this. I hated that I’d let this happen to him.
“I knew something was up with you two,” Brand said as he rounded the other side of the bed. He was speaking to me but his eyes were on Chris. “I tried to get him to talk about it the last time we hung out, but he wouldn’t. We don’t keep secrets, Ky. Not me and Chris. Not me and the club.”
I swallowed hard.
“The same should go for you.” His eyes slid up to meet mine in an almost creepy way.
“I don’t have an excuse. But you don’t know what it’s like, Brand.” I wasn’t necessarily trying to defend my actions as much as trying to explain. “I wasn’t even sure what was going on with me to be able to talk about it at first. And when I started to figure it out, I wasn’t sure…”
I shook my head because I was at a loss for words.
“What, Ky? If the next words out of your mouth are something about the club, then so help me God. If you think we’d judge you for this—turn our backs on you for this, then you don’t really know your brothers like you should.”
That hurt. As I’m sure it did him as well. I hadn’t put faith in my club to love me no matter what. To be there for me no matter what.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered, moving my gaze back to Chris.
“How did this even happen?” he asked and ran his fingers through his hair.
“Um…” Did he really want me to try and explain the whole Chris and me thing?
“No, not the two of you—although, I am really fucking curious on that one. I mean this, tonight.”
“I fucked up. I should have seen it coming. I should have been there.”
“Don’t put this on yourself, Ky. Fuck! I need to go update his parents and see if they were able to get a flight tonight.”
Brand had taken over on handling all of that. He knew Chris’ parents and kept in contact with them the whole night. I honestly was glad that he knew Chris so well. It also made me realize that I’d just been hovering on the outside of his life. I didn’t know Chris like I wanted to or his family. I knew it was my fault, I’d kept myself there but I also couldn’t say that it didn’t hurt me.
“You sit with him,” I said, blinking back the tiny amount of moisture that was starting to gather in my eyes. “I should go.”
“Or you could stay.”
His voice was soft and raw. I wasn’t sure if I’d even really heard it. Hell, that shit could have been in my head. Then Chris squeezed my hand and I nearly lost it.
“Please, stay,” he said as his beautiful eyes opened and looked into mine.
“I bought you flowers,” I blurted out because…well, I had no idea why.
Chris laughed and then winced as he wrapped his free arm around his side.
“I’m sorry. Don’t laugh. Just, don’t move. What can I do?” Everything rushed out at once.
“I’m fine,” he said blinking his eyes. “Tell me about these flowers. And more importantly, why did you buy me flowers?”
His amused smile was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen. I wanted to bend down and kiss those lips. I wanted to touch him all over and breathe in his scent until it consumed me.
“Should I leave?” Brand called out from the corner.
“Hey, man,” Chris said looking over at Brand.
“I’m gonna go call your parents. They were trying to get a flight out here. I’ll let them know you’re awake.”
“Shit. Thanks.”
“Never again,” Brand said and I got the feeling like there was something I was missing.
“Yeah, yeah,” Chris whispered then Brand was out the door. “Wait! Ingram? What happened? Where is she?”
