Page 49 of Erik's Redemption
When she paused, he asked, “What night?”
“I…I did something. Something awful. It could have cost me everything. But Nico saved me. He was all I had, and he swept in and made it all go away.”
Erik wanted to push, to know exactly what had happened. A week ago, he would have, but things between them had changed, and he needed to work his way back into her trust. Become her safety net once again.
“I’m glad you had someone looking out for you,” he said quietly, stroking a hand down her back.
She looked up at him, heartache in her eyes. And that heartache gutted him. “I love you, Erik. I love you so much. But I wasn’t lying when I said I’m a mess. I feel like my head and my heart are at war. I just need some time.”
Time…the word felt heavy and wrong. He wanted to rebel against it. But he couldn’t. Because the deeper part of him wanted to give her the world if she asked. If she wanted time, he’d give her time. Then he’d hope like hell she returned to him.
“I’ll give you whatever time you need, Angel,” he whispered, eyes forever on her. “And I’ll wait for you.”
CHAPTER 17
“You think you can drink ten shots and still walk in a straight line?” Henry scoffed. “Brig, I saw you eat five watered-down Jell-O shots at my twenty-fifth birthday party, and you could barely stand.”
Brigid pressed a hand to her chest as if insulted. “That is so untrue, and I’m offended that you have such a warped recollection of that night. I hadsevenJell-O shots, and I was so good after, I went home and made nachos and smashed an entire box of Pop-Tarts.”
Hannah wrinkled her nose. “Nachos and Pop-Tarts after Jell-O shots?” She felt sick just thinking about that combination being in her belly.
“It was delicious. I was looking forward to my post-party meal that entire night.”
“Yeah, because you needed food to mop up the five shots that got you wasted,” Henry said, receiving a whack on the shoulder from Brigid.
Hannah chuckled. It felt good to be out at Tatum’s Bar. This was their favorite spot to get a drink, and they hadn’t been there in months. It was even better to see Brigid smiling, and Henry was his usual self, pushing Brigid’s buttons and making themlaugh every chance he got. Owen hadn’t been able to make it tonight, which was fine. Honestly, it was nice just having some time with her two best friends.
She sipped her vodka soda. She’d been cradling it all night. Even though five days had passed since she’d been sick, the incident was enough to rock her. Since then, she’d been doing everything she could to take care of her blood sugars.
“Hannah, give us some good news,” Henry said when he and Brigid were finally finished arguing. “Are you and Erik back together?”
The beats of her heart stumbled over each other at the mere mention of his name. She’d told her friends about what he’d done for her while she was sick. The way he’d cared for her. Called Andi and made sure her sugars were in range. Even how he’d slept on the chair in her room.
“We’re not together, but we’re not…”
“Avoiding each other,” Brigid finished softly when Hannah couldn’t.
“Yeah.” She knew what Erik did wasn’t his fault. He was doing his job. But a part of her still felt like letting him back in was betraying Nico.
Brigid set a hand on hers. “You still love him though.”
You didn’t just fall out of love with a person because you learned new information. The love she felt for him was so deeply ingrained, it was a part of her. “I do.”
“Then be patient.” Brigid smiled. “In time, you’ll know exactly what you’re meant to be.”
She gave her friend a soft smile. “Thank you. How areyoudoing?”
There was a flicker of shadow in her friend’s eyes. It came and went so quickly, Hannah almost missed it. “I’m good. Just…learning to live on my own.”
She hated that Brigid wasn’t okay. She understood it, but shehatedit, especially when so much of what happened with James had revolved around Hannah. Since leaving Henry’s, she’d been making a point to check in on her friend every day with either a text, a call, or a visit to the store, but it never felt like enough.
It was Hannah’s turn to cover Brigid’s hand with her own. “If you want some company, I’m always happy to come stay with you.”
She shook her head. “No, that’s okay. I need to get used to it at some point.” She sipped her cocktail.
“Hey, Han…isn’t that Leo?”
Hannah followed Henry’s gaze to see Leo on the other side of the bar. The corners of her lips tugged up, and when their gazes met, Hannah waved. The man had been nothing short of amazing during the last month. He’d helped Hannah time after time with her workload, with emotional support when he could, all while asking for nothing in return.
