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We spent the next three days patching up our bubble, locking the outside world out, and taking each other in.
With Leland’s help, I painted my first portrait, and with my guidance he made a questionable stool to replace his milk crate. And Ialmostgot him to cough up more details on his mysterious art-bar. Leland was determined to make me work for it.
Every night I got to rip him out of something lacy. One night in particular, Leland wore a lace catsuit that came with a built in opening at the front and back. I did my best to keep that one intact but was unable to do more than let my erection fall through my open zipper before taking him on the patio.
We shared baths, we shared our bodies, and we made plans. I couldn’t wait to get our life started.
That all changed on day four.
Chapter 20
Leland
The shrill ringing of Franky’s cell phone woke us up with a start. The digital clock read two in the morning.
“Hello?” Franky said into the phone, voice alert considering the time. Then again, a call at this hour could only mean an emergency. Franky sucked in a sharp breath. “I’m on my way.” Throwing the sheet off, he hurried into the closet. I did the same.
“What’s wrong?” I asked as Franky tore clothes off their hangers. “Are Cole and Jasper—”
“Selene’s been rushed to the hospital. I have to go.”
“I’ll go with you,” I said, already moving to the other side of the closet where I kept my things.
“You can’t,” he said, stopping me. I’d never seen him so afraid, so anxious, and I didn’t want to cost him more precious seconds by debating all the ways I could’ve been there for him without being in the way, and without being seen. I would’ve stood in the pouring rain outside the hospital doors if I had to.
“Okay,” I said. “I’ll be here if you need me.” I wanted to ask for details. Details he probably didn’t have given the short duration of the call. Instead, I fell back as he put his shirt on inside out, then followed him to his car.
“I’ll call or text as soon as I can,” he said, kissing me with trembling lips. He was pulling off before I could kiss him back. I sent up a silent prayer that whatever had happened, Selene would be okay.
Going back to sleep was out of the question, so I alternated between pacing a hole in the living room floor and chewing my nails down as I blankly watched the sun rise through the closed living room wall.
I debated calling the hospital, but I knew I wouldn’t get any answers over the phone. I just wanted her to be okay. For everyone’s sake, including my own, she needed to be okay.
Day transitioned into night again, and I still hadn’t heard from Franky. I didn’t want to call him in case Cole and Jasper were around, or potentially other family members. I didn’t want to add to his stress, but my own stress levels had reached dangerous heights.
I gave in at the eighteen-hour mark and phoned the hospital. All they would tell me was that only family was being allowed in at this time, but at least that meant she was alive.
She’d been tired, I remembered Franky telling me once, and I’d seen it with my own eyes.Could that be related to this?
My phone vibrated, skidding across the coffee table, and I lurched forward from the sofa to grab it.
Franky:She’s awake and stable. I’ll be here for a couple more hours, until she falls asleep, then I’ll stop by.
Leland:Take all the time you need. I’ll be here.
I hit send on my reply, my exhaustion crippling me now that I knew she’d be okay. He’d said he would stop by, meaning he wouldn’t be staying, but I’d expected that. Knowing I’d get to lay eyes on him, hug him, breathe him in and give him some strength to deal with whatever lay ahead, was enough.
I managed to eat something for the first time that day, then showered before crumbling wet and naked onto our bed.
The clap of thunder jerked me from sleep four hours later, way beyond the time Franky said he’d be here. Lightning lit up the room, revealing Franky’s foreboding shape as he watched me from a dark corner in the room. “Shit, Franky,” I hissed, scurrying to the headboard. How long had he been standing there?
“Put some clothes on and meet me downstairs,” he said as he started for the bedroom door. The smell of scotch lingered moments after his footsteps had receded down the hall.
Entering the kitchen, I tightened the string on my sweats, stopping at the uncapped bottle of brown liquor on the kitchen island. It was full last night. A little more than half now remained.
Another clap of thunder rang out, followed by two bolts of lightning that illuminated Franky’s stern profile as he peered through the glass wall and toward the ocean.
“Hey,” I said softly, padding over to him. Franky sidestepped my touch, glaring at me with harsh accusations in his eyes. Had something changed since our text exchange? “Is Selene—”
