AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“They might never all come back,” I said.
“I know. We’ll be okay. As long as you’re willing to try and not shut me out. We can make it through this. Together.”
I leaned into him again, my body releasing some of the tension it carried.
I was so very tired, and though my headache was starting to dull, the crying had only made it worse.
“I know we’re not done, but I think I need to head home.”
“Ah, yep. Good idea. Come on, I’ll take you,” Jake said quickly.
Garrett got Jake’s attention across the room, “Let’s get together sometime this week. Sounds like we need to catch up,” he said with a hint of laughter. Jake gave him a thumbs up in return.
We said good-bye to everyone, and then Jake helped me outside, letting me lean on him as my body felt especially weak and uncoordinated. I buckled my seatbelt and settled into the luxurious seat.
An instant later, I opened my eyes and saw my parents’ house in front of me.
I hummed in surprise. I must have dozed off. “Sorry…so tired.”
“It’s okay. I was just giving you a second before I took you inside.”
I hummed again, since words were too much effort.
He opened my door and helped me down. “All right, sleeping beauty. Let’s get you into bed.”
I smiled and tried to walk, but my feet felt heavy and far away. I stumbled, falling into him. He caught me firmly, an amused smile playing on his lips.
His arms came under my legs and around my shoulders, cradling me close to his chest. “Strong firefighter…” I mumbled, letting my head fall onto his chest. I inhaled deeply. “You smell good.”
His chuckle rumbled under my cheek. “Not exactly how we’re supposed to carry people. But I think I like this better.”
ChapterThirteen
JAKE
I’d never seen Monica on anything stronger than a cup of coffee, so the effect of the prescription painkillers was completely foreign. She was adorable and sweet, and surprisingly affectionate. I had to hope that it wasn’t just the meds that had her being so honest earlier.
At least there had been nearly a dozen witnesses of her declaration. I was contemplating never doing anything without an audience ever again.
I carried her up the walk. The late-summer evening light was fading quickly, and lightning bugs were starting to dot the air above the grass.
I pushed the doorbell with the hand tucked under her knees, trying to imagine what her parents would think when they saw the current state of their daughter.
Mrs. Storm answered the door. “Monica? Jake? Come in, come in.”
“Hi, Mom,” Monica said in a sing-song voice.
“Sorry, Mrs. Storm. Monica got a pretty severe headache during group and took one of her prescription meds. I think between the meds and just general fatigue, she’s pretty much conked out.” I looked toward the hallway. “Can you show me where her room is?”
“Oh my. Of course, right this way.”
I followed her down the hallway and into Monica’s room. Her mom pulled back the blankets, and I laid her gently on the bed.
“So chivalrous,” she murmured, snuggling deeper into the pillow.
“Sweet dreams,” I said, pushing her hair away from her face and pressing a kiss on her forehead.
It wasn’t until I turned away and saw Monica’s mom in the doorway, a smile on her face and one arm crossed holding her other elbow, that I realized I probably had some more explaining to do. I pointed toward the living room, and she nodded before heading that way.
