“I don’t think I can wait until tomorrow,” I murmur.
He squeezes my hand. “As soon as we get home then, okay?”
I nod and lean my head back against the seat, my stomach twisting with nerves as I stare out at the dark road ahead. I want to believe that because he’s here, holding my hand and staying by my side, it means he wants to be with me. But right now,everything between us feels so uncertain, and I don’t know what to think.
Twenty minutes later, Ben pulls into the driveway and quickly gets out of the car, circling it to open my door. He holds out his hand and I wince as he gently helps me out.
“You okay?” he asks.
I take a few deep breaths, fighting the tears that sting my eyes from the pain that spikes with each movement.
After a minute, I nod. “I’m okay.”
He offers a soft, sad smile. “Let’s get you inside.”
Ben guides me up the drive and into the house, closing the door quietly behind us. A light glows from the living room, and the low hum of the TV seeps through the closed door.
“I think Laney tried to wait up for us,” Ben says as he heads into the living room. I follow him in and find Laney fast asleep on the sofa.
“She didn’t need to stay up,” I whisper.
“She wanted to. She was worried about you.” He sits beside her and gently shakes her shoulder. “Laney.”
“Dad?” she mumbles, blinking awake.
“Yeah, sweetheart. We’re home.”
Her eyes meet mine and she bolts up, suddenly alert.
“Ash! Are you okay?” She throws her arms around me, and I groan as my injured arm gets caught between us.
“Shit, I’m sorry!” she gasps, quickly pulling back. “Did I hurt you?”
Her face is filled with worry, and I smile as I reach for her hand with my good one.
“I’m okay, Laney. You didn’t have to wait up.”
“I couldn’t go to bed until I knew you were alright. Are you staying here tonight?” she asks, glancing between me and Ben.
“Yes, Ash is staying,” Ben says. “Is that okay?”
Laney gives a small smile. “Of course.”
Ben smiles back at her. “Let’s get to bed. It’s been a long night.” He clicks off the TV and switches off the lights.
After saying goodnight to Laney, Ben locks up and we head upstairs. Every step sends a jolt of pain through my body, and by the time we reach his bedroom, I’m barely holding it together.
I pause awkwardly inside, unsure of what to do.
Ben crosses the room and takes my hand, guiding me to the bed. “Sit down. I’ll grab a T-shirt for you to sleep in.”
“Thank you.”
He pulls a black T-shirt from his dresser and turns back to me. “Do you need help getting changed?”
I sigh. “Please. This cast is going to take some getting used to.”
With gentle hands, he helps me out of my clothes and into the oversized shirt. Then he eases me into bed before stripping down to his boxers and sliding in beside me.
