“I wouldn’t give themallthis support…he’s just…”What do I say here? Different? Special? Mine?“…just him,” I finally finish.
I understand where Lukas is coming from, but it doesn’t mean I’ll tolerate the scrutiny of my actions. He may be older, but my stake in the company is just as high as his.
Over the next two days,Zeke’s fever remains absent, and he’s weaned off the IV antibiotics, although he’ll have to continue with oral antibiotics for a few more days once he’s discharged. He’s slept a lot, and I’ve been by his side through the whole ordeal, but we haven’t had any more deep conversations. Both of us are seemingly hellbent on avoiding them: him, because he thinks hehasto accept what I’m offering, and me, because I don’t know how to process what I’m feeling.
“Mr. Hastings, how are we doing today?” the nurse asks, coming into the room, pushing a computer cart on wheels.
“The best I’ve felt since arriving,” Zeke answers. His voice is less scratchy, and there’s ahintof energy behind his words.
“That’s what we like to hear. Especially since you’re going home today,” she says with a smile.
“Do you want any help getting dressed?” she asks as shefusses around, handing Zeke a cup of pills while Eloise and I stand at the ready to help if needed.
“No, I can do it,” Zeke says. “Thank you.”
Eloise has been a godsend, in and out with clothes, toiletries, and food from somewhere other than the hospital’s cafeteria. She also brought my laptop so I could work while Zeke slept. And most importantly, she’s been fielding calls from Lukas, who’s doing his best to navigate this from a professional viewpoint, allowing me to remain invested on a personal level.
Zeke gently pushes his covers back and stands on shaky legs, reaching for his new clothes before padding into the bathroom. He’s lost weight he couldn’t afford to lose.
Instinctively, I take a step toward the closed door just in case he needs me.
But it’s Eloise’s name he calls when he realizes he does, in fact, need help.
She knocks twice before pulling the door open.
“Hey, I’ve got you,” she says in a tone more nurturing than I’ve ever heard her use. “Here.” She pauses before adding, “Now put your hands on my shoulders to steady yourself, and I’ll pull them up the rest of the way.”
It kills me that he wants her help over mine, but I guess it could be awkward considering our whole relationship is kind of awkward right now.
Zeke and Eloise emerge from the bathroom a few minutes later. Zeke is wearing black sweatpants and my old Harvard hoodie, which sends a flood of possessiveness through me that I need to make sure I keep in check.
He won’t meet my gaze, and I fucking hate it.
A few minutes later, the doctor comes in and gives us discharge instructions: Zeke’s okay to shower, but should avoid submerging his incisions in a pool, a hot tub, or a bathtub. Sutures need to come out in another seven days. If he developsany symptoms at all: fever, chills, aches, headache, etc.—we’re to come back immediately.
Then, finally, at long last, Eloise and I are helping Zeke into the front seat of my Range Rover again.
He stays silent the whole ride to my house.
“I appreciate everything you’re doing,” he finally says as we pull into the garage.
“It’s honestly my pleasure,” I answer with a smile, hating that the trust between us is strained.
Eloise hops out first and runs inside, no doubt to make sure everything is perfect for our guest, and before I can unbuckle and make my way over to help Zeke out of the SUV, his hand lands on my forearm. The touch is completely benign, not meant to do anything other than get my attention, but it’s been two days since we’ve touched at all, and my body responds by sending goosebumps skittering across my skin and heat trailing in their wake.
“Talon, I promise I won’t overstay my welcome, and I’ll contribute as much as I can.”
Placing my hand over his, not to trap him, simply to convey how much I want him here, I hold his gaze, imploring him to relax.
“Zeke, I want you to stay as long as you need to…as long as youwantto,” I correct. “I know it will take some time for you to trust me again, not only because of what I kept from you but also because of the way you were treated in your last relationship, but I’m glad you’re here. Iwantyou here.”
I also think maybe I want more than that.
Chapter 18
Zeke
This house is the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen. On par with the luxury and well-built construction of Summit, but blended with modernization. I’ve never seen anything like it. And while it’s stunning, the opulence overwhelms me.
