AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I rush forward, and as soon as I’m within his grasp, he hauls me between his legs and buries his face against my stomach. His arms hold me so tight it’s hard for me to draw in air. I don’t care though. I need his forceful embrace right now. I wrap my own arms around his shoulders. I’ve missed him so much.
“How long have you known?” He lifts his head and looks up at me.
I run my fingers through his hair. “I found out a week before I came here.”
The muscle in his jaw twitches. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
I swallow past the thickness in my throat. “Because I knew this would tear you apart, and I wanted to prevent that for as long as possible.” I cup one of his slightly scruffy cheeks. “And because I needed some time to come to grips with my illness coming back, and I couldn’t deal with you being overprotective as well.” I stop and close my eyes. With a shake of my head, I open them again. “I thought I could get through this without you knowing. I don’t want you to be hurt, Trent.”
“Baby.” He grabs my hips and brings me down to his lap so my legs are straddling him. “You’re breaking my heart right now. Knowing you were going to face this alone hurts way more than knowing your leukemia is back. I love you, Ally.” He brings his face closer to mine, the pain in his eyes apparent. “Yes, I’m devastated you’re sick again, but I want to be here for you. I need to be. I don’t care how bad it gets.”
I brush away the tears sliding down my cheeks. “I’m sorry,” I choke out.
His own eyes are glassy from holding back tears. “Don’t be sorry. Just let me take care of you.”
I nod, and more tears fall from my eyes. He wipes them away with his thumbs.
“Okay.”
“Do any of the others know?”
“No. You really think they wouldn’t have told you if they did? Besides, it wasn’t just you I was trying to keep from hurting.”
“Andrew’s going to be pissed. So is Jase. Actually, everyone will.”
“I know.”
Trent’s forehead drops to my sternum for several long seconds, and I know he’s trying to control his emotions.
“What have your doctors said?” he asks once he lifts his head.
“It’s not as bad as the first two times. I have a small section in my thigh. I go Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for low dose chemo.”
Some of the worry fades from Trent’s features.
“You need to call Andrew and let him know.”
I nod, already dreading that conversation. “I will tonight.”
“You also need to talk to Ashlyn and her husband. Either I’m staying here with you, or we’ll do a short-term lease on an apartment or house somewhere.”
“Trent—” I begin, but don’t get very far.
“This is nonnegotiable, Ally. There’s no way I’m leaving you here. And it’s unfair of you to ask me to. Would you leave me if the situation were reversed?”
I bite my lip, knowing he’s right. I’d fight him tooth and nail if he were the one sick. I know the way I handled the situation was wrong. Had he done the same to me, I’d be hurt, upset, and probably a little angry. My only excuse, which really isn’t an excuse, is I haven’t been thinking rationally because of my own fear and heartache about being sick again.
“What about your job with Nick? And helping Jaxon at the bar?”
“That’s taken care of already.”
Knowing a losing battle when I see one, I blow out a breath and say, “Okay. But you have to promise to not hover and worry over every little thing.”
“I can’t promise I won’t worry, but I promise to try to not overwhelm you.”
Despite wanting to protect Trent from the pain he’s sure to feel over the next couple of months, my shoulders feel lighter with him knowing. I also feel relief knowing he’ll be here with me. I hated the thought of not being able to see him in person every day for weeks.
I lean down at the same time Trent leans forward, and our lips meet in the middle. I moan and let out a little sigh at the sensations that course through my body. It’s only been a little over two weeks since I last saw Trent, but it feels like it’s been months since I felt his mouth on mine and his arms holding me close.
