AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I’ve managed to calm myself by the time the EMTs come out with Noah strapped to a stretcher. A fresh wave of despair crashes into me, but I push it down, refusing to let it consume me.
Jack exits the house and thrusts a jacket at me before striding to his car. “Come on, Sav, we’re following them to the hospital.”
It’s just like Jack to take control of a situation, and I’ve never been more thankful than at this moment to have him here to do just that. I spring into action as the sound of the ambulance door slamming shut echoes around the cul-de-sac.
* * *
The sounds you only find in a hospital filter through the door as I look at Noah, asleep in the hospital bed. It’s been a wild twenty-four hours, that’s for sure. After some tests, Noah was rushed into surgery to remove his appendix.
Thankfully, it was a success, and now it’s just going to be about his recovery. All the feelings I’ve been trying to keep a lid on bubble and churn inside of me. When I get home, I’ll sort through them, but right now I’m not leaving him.
Jack’s gone to get some provisions with Noah’s mom. She was beside herself when Jack called her.Much like me.
I lean back in the hard chair next to the hospital bed. My eyes close as I replay the events from the moment Noah knocked on the door. Every time I shut my eyes, I see the look on his face and feel the panic I felt as I called 911.
A cough sounds from the bed, drawing my attention to Noah. His gaze darts around the room before landing on me.
I give him a tired smile as I say, “Hey, sleepy head.”
His voice is hoarse as he replies, “Hey, angel.”
Butterflies take flight in my stomach at the endearment. He must still be under the effects of the painkillers.
“How are you feeling?” I ask.
I move toward the bed, helping him to sit up, puffing up his pillow.
“Still in pain, but definitely better than before. Thank you, angel.”
My cheeks heat and I look away, suddenly shy. “You’re welcome. And you don’t need to call me that.”
Noah grabs my hand, halting my retreat, his voice suddenly serious. “I know I don’t, Van. But you fuckingsavedme. As far as I’m concerned, you’re my guardian angel.”
We stare at each other, unspoken words passing between us as he holds onto my hand. The contrast from when I held his hand yesterday is another sign that he’s going to be okay.
“Oh, honey, you’re awake. How are you feeling?”
Noah’s mom walks through the door, followed by Jack. Neither of them have noticed our joined hands, so I reluctantly drop Noah’s and move to the end of the bed. His words echoing in my mind.
It’s not until I’m no longer on high alert over something going wrong that I allow the relief to engulf me. He’s going to be okay.
TWENTY-SEVEN
Noah
Imake it into the hallway in time to see a flash of dark gingerbread blonde hair dart into her room. “Savannah, wait,” I call. She slams her door in response, shutting herself away.
What the hell was I thinking?
When I reach her door, my hands land on either side of the doorjamb. I catch my breath as I try to sort my scattered thoughts. How could I have been so stupid? This is why I haven’t touched myself since she came to stay.Fuck. I should have covered up the moment I caught her eye.
Looking at it logically, my best friend’s little sister just caught me jerking off—in the comfort of my own room.
I shouldn’t feel bad about that; she should.
Except for the fact I was fucking picturing her when I was in the heat of the moment. And I called her fucking name. Well, nickname. But she will know it was her I was thinking about.
My head knocks against the wooden door as I tip it forward and murmur, “Van, can you come out so we can talk about this?”
