Page 168 of Adrenalina (The Rush World)

I know he is.

I need to see him, but those bastards won’t let me.

Marrisa was in there with him. She has privileges because she’s his girlfriend.

It angers me.

More than anyone will know.

Even so, I let that anger fade away letting my worry overtake my spite.

I’m walking into the hotel he’s staying at. Apparently, he was put on bed rest for the day. I still don’t know what happened to him, but even so, all I want to do is make sure he’s okay.

I asked Ale what room he was staying in, and she didn’t fail to mention that they are across the hall from each other.

I walk into the elevator and press for the second to last floor.

It takes a short ride to get to the hallway. Once I step onto the carpet, I look for his number. I stare at the door for a bit before I knock.

“Coming!” Xavier calls out behind the door.

The door opens and I walk in without even saying hello. “You promised!” I’m yelling without a thought. I hate that he hurt himself. I hate that his pain is becoming mine as we spend more time together and it grows even when we’re apart.

“Blondie, I can’t control what other divers do out there.” Xavier walks over to the bed with a slight limp.

“What’s your injury?” I question him, and he falls onto the mattress with a thud.

“A minor knee sprain. It’s nothing I can’t handle.” His hand waves it off like it’s nothing. “The impact was a lot for this old boy to take in.” He slaps his knee and then lets out a hiss once it makes contact.

I grimace in his direction. “I’m mad at you.”

“I know and quite frankly, there isn’t anything I can do about it. The crash happened; I can’t change it.” He shrugs.

My eyes soften; he’s right. “Are you okay?” I ask again, staring at him in relief, knowing that the crash wasn’t a life-or-death situation.

Because it is. There are a handful of drivers whose lives have been taken from them while doing something they loved.

I just found Xavier and even if I don’t have him yet, I won’t ever be ready for him to leave me.

He outstretches his arms, wanting me to fall into his embrace. “I’m all good now that you’re here.”

My shoulders drop. Taking off my jacket, I carelessly let it hit the ground and his arms wrap around me.

“I was so worried. My gut was right. I have never been this worried about you crashing before.”

“Because you’re in love with me,” he coos, extending the O in love.

“I’m serious, Xavier, once you walked off the grid, I ran to your recovery room. They didn’t let me in. I was so frustrated because I didn’t know if you were okay or not. Marrisa rushed past me and was let in without a thought in their head. Oh my God, Marrisa! Is she here? I completely forgot.” I am visibly still in his arms at the realization.

“Don’t worry, she’s at the Formula One gala with her dad. She didn’t want to go but apparently, it’s a Schultz obligation. She won’t be back for hours.”

I relax.

My back is turned to Xavier. I turn so we’re face to face.

I let my fingers trace his features in admiration. “Xavier, you can’t leave me. Even though I don’t fully have you, I can’t bear the thought of you leaving forever.” A tear slides down my cheek.

Xavier’s thumb wipes it away. “Blondie, that’s where you’re wrong. You have me in the palm of your hand, fully and wholeheartedly. You’ve had me the moment I kissed the top of your hand when we first met, and you’ll have me until we’re old and gray.”

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