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I take her hand, again loving how warm and soft it feels. “I don’t regret it. I’m glad I was there at the right time. I wouldn’t be able to bear it if…” My voice tails off as I swallow. “You’re my best friend.”
“And you’re mine. I’m so lucky to have you.” She hugs me and I hold her close, squeezing her gently to show her just how much she means to me.
As she draws back, her shoulder accidentally knocks into my face and I see stars. “Darn it,” I groan.
“Sorry!”
“It’s okay.” I force a smile. “No harm done.”
She returns a hesitant smile. I know she’s still worried about me and feels guilty, but I wish she wouldn’t. If I hadn’t come to her aid, what would have happened?
Chloe’s still clutching my hand and I’m not complaining one bit. Though I hope mine isn’t sweaty…
“Why do you look so bothered?” she asks after a little while.
I slump forward. “I just feel pathetic and inadequate.”
“What do you mean?”
I sigh, shutting my eyes and then opening them. “I wanted to defend you like a real man, you know? But I got beaten up like a piece of raw meat.”
“Liam—”
“When my parents were in high school, my dad stood up for my mom. He threatened anyone who wanted to harm her. Hesavedher. Was strong for her. Kept her safe. And me…I’m nothing like him.”
She scoots even closer and takes both my hands. “Of course you’re just as strong as your dad. Okay, maybe not in muscle, but you’re brave and sweet and kind and caring and an overall amazing person. You don’t need big muscles to prove that. All that matters is what kind of person you are inside. How big your heart is.”
I want to believe her, I do, but I can’t. What if something like that happens again? What if it’s Lily or Evie or my friends who are in danger? If I’m so pathetic I can’t defend them, then what good am I?
I work out as much as I can, but I guess it wasn’t enough to take Topher on. But I’ll do better, I’ll be stronger. I’ll make sure to defend Chloe or the others properly next time. Though I hope there won’t be a next time.
“You don’t have to stay with me,” I tell Chloe after we’ve been sitting here in silence for a little while.
“Of course I want to stay with you.”
As her smile wraps around me, warming me up, I know she’s staying because she wants to and not because she feels guilty or responsible for what happened.
“Thanks. What do you want to do? Movie?”
She twists her nose. “Not really in the mood.” She scans the shelves that are popping with books. There’s hardly any room because I’ve stuffed it with so many. “We can read together, if you want?”
I smile. “Sure. I’d love that. Hmm. Maybe Uncle Zane’s book?”
She nods and plucks it off the shelf. I’ve read it already, but I’ve been wanting to read it again.
Chloe slips under the covers and snuggles up to me with the book between us. She’s so warm, and it feels perfect that she’s under here with me. Again, I don’t think about my wounds or the pain.
“It’s been a while since I’ve seen Uncle Zane,” Chloe tells me. “He’s busy with his book tours and everything.”
“Yeah, I miss him.”
My dad’s brother, Zane, married Chloe’s dad’s sister, Bailey, which is why we share Uncle Zane and Aunt Bailey. It’s funny that we share cousins, ten-year-old Zoey and eight-year-old Brock, but we’re not related.
“What are you thinking about?” Chloe asks.
I force a laugh, turning my head away from her. “You’re going to think I’m weird.”
She bends closer, her warm breath on my cheek. “Nothing you say is weird, Liam Hastings.”
