Page 103 of Glad You Exist

I shake my head. “I don’t know. I just—I can’t lose her. I love her. I met my damn soulmate in diapers, man. That is the only thing I’m sure about and the mere thought of having almost lost her fucking guts me.”

Kyle rests his elbows on the marble counter.

“Stop focusing on the past. Just keep being there for her. Don’t treat her any differently or you’ll risk everything you’ve built with her. You’re together now.”

I know that. It sounds easy enough, but it doesn’t stop me from letting the weight of my guilt pull me down to a dark place.

“She cooked breakfast.”

My head pops up and I frown. “I thought it was your turn?”

“Doesn’t look like she slept because she was too busy feeling guilty about last night.”

“Fuck. I told her she…” I pause because even though I assured her last night, my actions spoke the complete opposite. I really need to get it together. Do a better job at this.

“So maybe don’t look like shit when she comes out.”

A snort comes from behind me. Kim enters the kitchen, wrapping herself up tighter in her robe. She smacks the back of my head and reaches up to kiss Kyle on the cheek. She steals my mug, drinking the rest of my coffee with a smug smile.

Her eyes are red rimmed and the purple under her eyes belies her good mood.

“Everything okay?” Kyle tucks stray strands of her hair behind her ears.

She nods but makes a face at me. “You have horrible taste in coffee.”

I ignore that seeing as she finished half the cup. “Where’s Liz?”

“She went back to your room. She said she wanted to—”

I’m already up and out of the kitchen, headed towards our room before Kim can finish.

I hearher inside the bathroom when I enter. Normally, I would wait for Liz to come out but after last night, I think I have permission to follow her in there now.

“El?”

The door is cracked open. I find her sitting on the edge of the bathtub, brushing her hair with a faraway look in her eyes.

“Baby?” I kneel next to her, meeting her eyes.

Her eyes brighten when she realizes I’m there and a ghost of a smile whispers on her lips.

“Hey…” She puts the brush down and leans over to give me a peck on the cheek.

“Are you okay?” She’s already washed her face, but her eyes are still swollen. I run my thumbs gently under her eyes and grasp her jaw.

She nods and wraps her fingers around my wrist. She’s staring intently at me, searching for something in my face. Undoubtedly to ease the stress she’s feeling.

“What about your, uh…” I purse my lips and feel myself redden. “Are you…sore?”

Her cheeks turn the cutest shade of blush, “I feel good. Thank you.”

I lean over and brush my lips lightly against hers, letting a sense of rightness wash over me at her sigh of contentment. “I feel good too, El.”

“Brad?” Her minty breath whispers against my lips. I have the sudden urge to take her back to our bed, but I fight against it. I raise my head instead and smile at her.

“I hate the thought of having hurt you…”

I shake my head slowly, intent on driving my point across. Kyle’s message rings loud and clear in my mind. I need to focus on the Liz that’s in front of me now.

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