My heart shatters. “Okay.”
I left him alone with his thoughts, and he decided not to prioritize his health.
He’s not magically better. I know he still needs treatment.
And it’s my fault he’s not getting it.
“We can’t leave,” I murmur.
He runs his hand through my hair. “What do you mean?”
“I wasn’t here, but that’s no reason not to see a doctor.”
Dax’s shoulders slump. “Ness, I just said…”
“But you already agreed.”
“And you promised to be here.”
“I know, but I couldn’t help it.”
Dax shrugs. “And that’s how things go.”
“This isn’t the time to be stubborn.”
His stare cuts through me. “I told you, quit trying to control me.”
I clutch my elbows, dejected.
He grabs my shoulders and exhales hard. “Let’s just go. Okay?”
I nod at his muddy boots.
He tilts my chin until I give him eye contact. “I’m not mad at you. Just let this go.”
“I’m worried about you.”
“Don’t be.”
“This is it? We just go?”
He nods. “Grab your helmet.”
“But I need to fix this.”
“No, you don’t.”
I don’t push because I want to be with him. Especially with the return of my menacing mother. Zipping my lips, I get my helmet from the locker trunk.
With the engine running, Dax turns to me and pulls his jacket off his shoulders.
“What are you doing?” I ask.
“You don’t have a jacket. You’ll be cold.”
“I’ll be fine. You keep it.”
He pulls the jacket down further. “Just take it.”
