Page 57 of Street of Dreams
“You’re not going anywhere, Mr. King. I want you in this bed for at least another 48 hours. Then we’ll talk about discharge.”
She handed him two pills and a cup of water. He thought about refusing them, but decided he’d rather be unconscious and gulped them down. He only wished he had a whole fucking bottle to swallow.
“Jake. Jake.”
The sound of Mac’s voice made Jake’s eyes flip wide open. “What the fuck are you doing here?”
Warm green eyes greeted Jake with tearful concern. Relief at seeing this man sent a wave of comfort through him, only to be ripped away by fear. “You can’t be here. You need to leave. Now.”
“Shh.” Mac gently caressed Jake’s arm. “It’s OK. Henry is keeping watch at the hospital entrance. Danny is tailing Bruce in case he heads in this direction.”
Exasperated, Jake sighed and raised his eyes to the ceiling. “You gotta go.”
“Stop pushing me away.”
“I told you,” Jake choked out the words. “It’s gotta be this way.”
“Are you going to spend the rest of your life hiding from that man?”
Jake didn’t have an answer. “Forget about me, Mac. I’m no good. All I’m gonna do is bring you down. You got a future. I got nothing. You got opportunities. I’m stuck here in South Side. Running numbers. Probably running guns in a few years. You never belonged with someone like me. I’m not good enough for you. I’m just gonna mess up your life.”
“That’s not true. You’re upset. You’re on medication. You’re not thinking clearly.”
“I’ve never been more clear headed. I’m sorry. I never should have gotten involved with you or pulled you into my world. There’s no getting out.” Tears brewed on Jake’s lower lids, too heavy to contain, and he let out a horrid sob. “I’m sorry.” It wasn’t enough, but it was all he could say. Emotion slit his throat and stole his voice. He never felt so alone. So desperate. So crumpled and helpless.
“I understand that you don’t want to leave Ben. You do everything for your brothers, Jake. And I respect you for it. But what about you? When are you going to think about yourself?”
“I did. And look what happened. I got busted up. You got hurt. I got my heart broken. I broke your heart. He’ll never stop. He’ll kill you. And beat me. Again and again. It’s gotta be like this.”
“God damn you!” Mac slammed his fist on his leg. “Why do you have to be so damn stubborn?”
“You know I’m right, otherwise you wouldn’t be so mad. We can’t take chances. Not now. Maybe one day. When Ben’s of legal age and we can get away from Bruce. But not now.” Jake’s entire body shook, and it took every ounce of strength inside of him not to bawl uncontrollably. “Kiss me. One last time. And then go.”
Tears slowly streamed down Mac’s cheeks, and he was quiet for a long time. “I’ll kiss you. One more time. But it won’t be the last time. I’ll go along with this break up for now. But we’re not over, and I’m not going 10 years without seeing you or hearing from you.”
They clung to one another, lips pressed together with so much heat and passion that it felt as if they were reunited lovers, not sharing a broken-hearted goodbye. Their tongues mashed together, and their breaths grew heavy. Hands searched for skin to touch and moans imparted the love they shared. And then the kiss slowed down, and their lips no longer touched. Both of their faces were wet with their comingled tears that still flowed.
“I love you, Mac.”
“I love you, Jake.”
