Page 53 of Frost
Jack never leaves my side with the exception of the few times my mom stops by to check on me and bring me soup. He helps me to the bathroom when I need to go and then makes me get back into bed right after. He brings me food and then lies beside me, keeping an eye on my fever and using his power to help keep my head cool when I need it.
We watchThe Wizard of Ozon the flat-screen TV in front of my bed, and he loves the movie. He then binge-watches the first season ofGame of Thronesas I doze on and off throughout most of the day.
By day three, I start feeling more like myself. I’m still sneezing a lot and my stupid cough won’t go away, but my headache fades and my fever goes down.
“Thank you for nursing me back to health,” I say that morning after he brings me breakfast in bed. I ordered waffles from my favorite breakfast joint and had it delivered, but he placed it on a tray and made me coffee to go with it.
“Anytime.” Jack touches my cheek before stealing a bite of my waffle. I totally let him. He can have as much as he wants. My appetite is still wonky anyway, though it’s getting better.
“Do you mean that?” I put down my fork and wipe at my mouth. I tend to make a mess when I eat anything with syrup.
“Mean what?” He grabs my tray and cuts off a big piece of waffle and shoves it into his mouth.
“That you’ll take care of me anytime.” I smile as I watch him eat. My stomach knots with worry, though. Jack’s been with me for the past several days because I’ve been sick.
Will he stick around once I’m healthy again?
“Of course I’ll take care of you,” he says, a frown tugging at his lips.
“Even when I’m better?”
Understanding dawns on him. “You’re asking if I’m going to stay.”
I nod, not trusting my voice.
“Luka…” Jack sets the food on the bedside table and grabs my hand. “I cherish you more than I’ve ever cherished anyone.”
“But?” I ask as my throat tightens.
“But,” he says. “You can’t have a real life with me. It would be cruel for me to stay with you. You deserve so much more than what I can give you.”
“I don’t want anyone else, Jack.”
“You feel that way now because I’m right here beside you.” He kisses the top of my hand before pulling away. “Which is why the next time I leave, I need to stay gone. For good.”
“No.” I sit up and grab the bottom of his sweater, tugging him back to me. He falls onto the bed on top of me, and I slide a hand to the small of his back. “I willalwayswant you. Only you. So please stop trying to be the hero and do what you think is best for me.” I cup his cheek and drop my gaze to his lips before meeting his eyes again. “You’rewhat’s best for me, Jack.”
It’s only fitting that my body would choose that moment to go into a coughing fit.
“Rest,” he says, gently pushing me back onto the pillow. “We’ll discuss it more when you’re not hacking up a lung.”
“Don’t leave me again.” I link our fingers. “We can make this work. Just… give us a chance. Please.”
“I’m not going anywhere right now,” Jack responds. “So stop stressing and get some more sleep.”
“I don’t want to sleep goddammit. I want you to admit you want me too.”
So much for my decision to let him go. I thought I could be selfless, but I’m the exact opposite. I’m in love with him, and the thought of never seeing him again is too much for me to bear.
“I do want you, silly mortal. How could I not?” Jack bends over to kiss my forehead. “Stop fussing and close your eyes.”
“I’ve had enough sleep,” I mumble, but despite my stubbornness, my lids get heavy and fall shut. Damn him. “Will you at least lie beside me?”
A light chuckle reaches my ears before Jack crawls onto the bed and pulls me against his chest. I snuggle into his sweater, and his scent calms the anxiety winding through me.
And then I sleep.
When I wake up, it’s dark outside. The haze from the past three days is gone, and my head is so much clearer. Jack’s in the same spot, one arm tucked under me and the other around my waist. Soft snores leave him, and I watch him, amazed.
