AllFreeNovel
Share Us
My jaw tensed as I climbed the stairs, already knowing that Mom had been spot on. I knew I was developing genuine feelings. I wasn’t oblivious to my own heart. However, I also knew what was best for me...
And I couldn’t see how that would be pursuing anything with Cheyenne.
We didn’t really get along, she was leaving for Arizona, and I would be the first to admit that I lacked faith in women. It was a recipe for disaster.
And I’m sure Cheyenne feels the same way.
But what if she didn’t?
Would that change things for me?
ChapterThirteen
Cheyenne
Asoft knock on the bedroom door roused me from my sleep and Takoda stirred at the foot of the bed where he was sleeping.
“Can I come in?” Wade’s voice was muffled on the other side of the door.
“Yeah,” I croaked out, still feeling nauseous as I rolled onto my back. The door squeaked as he opened it. I shifted my gaze across the room, meeting his poignant gray eyes. His face was soft, visible concern creasing his forehead.
But still handsome as ever.
“How’re you feeling?”
I let out a sigh. “I’ve probably felt worse.”
“Okay, so that must mean you feel like shit.” Wade chuckled, shutting the door behind him and heading toward me. He had another Gatorade in his hand and set it down on the black wooden nightstand. “I thought you might need another.”
“Thanks.” I eyed the blue liquid, my stomach churning at the sight. “I’ll sip on it later.”
He nodded before leaning down, gently placing his palm against my forehead. “You still feel warm.”
I shrugged, my gaze locking with his. “I don’t really know. I haven’t taken my temperature. I was sleeping until you knocked on the door.”
“Guess we should check it then.” He picked up the thermometer and gestured to my mouth. I opened it, like a child would, and he stuck it in, clicking the power button. I took deep breaths as I waited, hoping the fever might be gone.
Nope.
“Ugh, that’s crazy.” Wade groaned, pulling it out from under my tongue. “I justknewthat it would be gone.” He glanced down at his watch. “And I can’t even give you more Tylenol for another three hours. Maybe we should take you to the emergency room or something.”
“Absolutely not,” I argued, my eyes widening at the thought. “I’mnotgoing anywhere. It’s just a virus. It’ll go away.”
He pursed his lips, like hemightargue with me. “Fine, but if it’s not gone by tomorrow, I think you should go.”
“Deal. I bet I’ll be good as new.”
“I hope so.” His eyes softened again, and he sat down on the edge of the bed. “I know it sucks being sick right now—you can’t even watch TV since there’s no power.”
My eyes flickered to the massive TV hanging on the wall. “I don’t really watch TV to be honest. We didn’t even have a TV at home.”
Surprised, he shook his head. “How come? I figured everyone had a TV in their house these days.”
I hesitated, choking back the emotions as the past came flooding back—the past that I was trying to overcome and outrun. “I... I didn’t really grow up in a great household. My parents... They didn’t get along.”
Wade nodded, placing his hand over mine. “So isthatwhat happened to the TV that was once in your house?”
Holding his eyes for a few long seconds of silence, I finally nodded. “Yeah. My dad got mad one evening at my mom, accusing her of God knows what—I don’t remember that part. I only remember him throwing the television across the living room. I think I was thirteen or fourteen at the time, and they never got another one. My dad was abusive toward my mom, so there were many other instances... More than what I’d like to admit to.”
