Page 36 of Just Breathe

Callum

Iknew something had happened to Jane. All night I had this nagging feeling something was going to go wrong or something went wrong. I took her from Aiden noticing her scrubs had blood on them, for a moment thinking it was hers, but I knew the hospital wouldn’t have let her leave if she was badly hurt.

She held on to me like I was her lifeline, making me hurt for her. I climbed into the car not letting go of her and she seemed to be ok with it even though it was a tight squeeze getting in the car.

“Are you hungry?” Nathan asked as he got into the truck looking like he wanted to runaway.

She shook her head, still crying, tightening her hold on me like I was going to let go. I don’t know what happened, but it was almost as she was losing someone all over again. As we drove home, I didn't know what to say to make her feel better. I was horrible at this, but I don’t think any of us knew what the fuck to do with a distraught woman.

Nathan kept glancing at us like her want to say something or do something. This was probably the hardest for him. It brought back terrible memories, and even though he doesn’t go into detail about them, I know they are bad enough that he doesn’t talk about his sister anymore.

Aiden pulled into the driveway and turned the truck off. He climbed out, going to open the door while Nathan opened my door to let us out. I walked into the house not knowing where to go but decided she needed a shower to get the shitty night off of her.

“I’ll get her some tea.” Nathan took off for the kitchen.

“She needs a shower,” I stated to Aiden, and he nodded his head. I think he might have been the most lost out of us. He stayed behind as I walked her straight to my bathroom. I turned on one light that wasn’t as bright, and I set her down on the counter, but she didn’t let go.

“Please... please don’t leave me,” she stuttered, taking a breath.

I pulled her arms away from my neck, cupping her face. “Let’s get you washed up and then we can lie down, ok?”

She shook her head frantically. Her face was puffy from all the crying, but she still looked beautiful. I pushed away her tears with my thumb while resisting the urge to kiss her. That probably would make things worse, or maybe it’s what she needed? Fuck. I couldn’t kiss her.

“I don’t want to be alone.” She closed her eyes, her lips trembling. “I’m tired of being alone. I’m always alone.”

“I will be on the other side of the door. I’m not going anywhere, just gonna go get you something to wear.” I pulled away to turn on the shower, getting the temperature warm enough because I knew women liked hot showers, but only because my sister says so.

“I can’t do this,” Jane whispered, looking lost in thought. “It’s not fair.”

“I won’t be too long, so the sooner you finish, the sooner we can just get in bed and lie down. So get in the shower and I’ll be right back.” I looked back at her, getting worried about her being alone, but it didn’t feel right helping her take a shower. It felt like I was taking advantage of her. I walked out as she cried a little harder. I hesitated to close the door and leave her, but I knew she should do this on her own.

Fuck, I did not know what to do, but I hoped a shower would help. I looked for clothes that might fit her, but I knew everything was going to be huge on her. I got one of my shirts that was a little snug on me and a pair of boxers, throwing them on the bed and walking out to the kitchen to hear the guys talking about Jane.

“You think someone else died?” Nathan asked while he leaned over the island.

“Who the fuck knows, but she looks fucking wrecked. She held on to me like she was afraid of something.” Aiden ran a hand down his beard. A nervous habit of his that I hadn’t seen this bad in a while. “You think someone is after her?”

“That kinda of makes sense. She didn’t want me to go like she was afraid,” I said, joining them around the island.

“Then why did you leave her?” Nathan glared at me.

“I’m not watching her shower. She’s not in her right mind, and I don’t want to take advantage of her situation.” I glared back.

“Callum is right. He can’t be there when she showers. When she gets better, she’s going to be embarrassed,” Aiden agreed with me.

“You could just turn around.” Nathan looked at us like we were dumb not to think of it.

“Fuck.” I didn’t even think of that. I turned back around, feeling like an idiot walking to the restroom. I knocked on the door, still hearing her crying.

“Jane? You almost done?” I crack the door to hear her.

“Callum, please.” She cried more.

I felt even more guilty leaving her as I walked in to see her rocking on the floor in her bra and panties with her scrubs in her hands, looking at the blood. I kneeled next to her, trying to pull the scrubs from her hand, but she held on to it.

“Why was it me, Callum? Why?” She looked up at me, searching my face for an answer. “Why was it me?”

“What do you mean, Jane?” I asked, not understanding what she was asking, wiping her tears away.

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