Total pages in book: 50
Estimated words: 47196 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 236(@200wpm)___ 189(@250wpm)___ 157(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 47196 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 236(@200wpm)___ 189(@250wpm)___ 157(@300wpm)
Reluctantly, I nod. I know he’s right, and even though I can’t go live or tape any new videos, I can bake. I have to bake; it’s how I cope with things.
Terry continues, reminding me why I hired him. “I cleaned up the kitchen. I knew you wouldn’t feel like cooking anything, so I made a meat, cheese, and fruit charcuterie board for you to snack on.” He finally takes a breath. “Do you need anything else?” He looks at Zach, frowns, and then looks back at me. “I can hang around and help you or whatever.”
I wait for Zach to say he’s got it or that he’s going to be here, but he says nothing. I shake my head. “Thank you for everything today, Terry. You’re the best. Why don’t you take tomorrow off and we’ll get back to our regular schedule—”
Terry sits down on the coffee table. “I’m so sorry, Sky. I feel horrible that he was able to get in because you unlocked the door for me.”
I reach over and squeeze his arm. “Don’t. None of this is on you. That guy is crazy.”
He nods sadly before standing up. “Okay, well, I’m going to go and let you rest. Call me if you need anything. And Janie has been calling constantly, checking on you. We can come sit with you or, well, whatever you need.”
I kick off my shoes and pull my legs up under me. “Thank you, Terry.”
He stops next to Zach, says something under his breath, and then walks through the house. It’s not until I hear the back door close that I lift my chin to Zach. “Are you okay?”
He jerks like I physically hit him or something. “God, don’t ask me that.”
I wrap my arms around my knees, holding my legs to my chest. “Talk to me, Zach. Are you mad at me? I told you that I’m sorry for unlocking the door.”
He clenches his eyes shut and shakes his head. “Don’t apologize to me. You have nothing to be sorry for.”
I move to the edge of the couch and let my feet touch the floor. All these emotions are swirling inside me, but I force myself to stand up and move toward him. He tenses the closer I get. I stop when I’m standing right in front of him. I know he’s got things he’s trying to work through, but I’m not ashamed for what I’m about to ask him. “Zach.”
He whispers, “Yeah?”
I lean my head back to look up at him. “I can’t even pretend to know what you’re feeling right now or what you’re thinking, but I need something from you.”
“What… what do you need?” His voice cracks on the last word.
“I want to sleep—”
He gives me a helpless look. “You can, but I’m going to have to monitor you through the night. Doctor’s orders.”
I tip my head and search his eyes. “You sure you want to do this? I can get Aria or one of my brothers over here.”
He shakes his head firmly once. “I can do it.”
I nod. “Okay. Well, what I need is to lie down and for you to hold me. Nothing else, just hold me.”
He swallows hard. “I can do that.”
I should let it go, but I stay right where I’m at. “Can you hug me, Zach? I just need…”
I don’t know how to explain what I need, but after everything today, I feel like I’m losing touch with me, with him, with my whole damn life.
He hesitates, and my stomach sinks, but he finally brings his arms up and wraps them around me. He holds me so tightly I can barely take a breath, but I don’t complain. I practically melt into him, wondering if he can absorb some of what I’m feeling.
He kisses the top of my head. “Come on. You have to be exhausted. Let’s get you to bed.”
I nod but don’t move. I’m afraid if I let him go, this is it. He’s been acting strangely since this morning, and I’m so afraid he’s going to walk out that door and I’ll never see him again. He picks me up, holding me to his chest.
I look up at him, but he’s staring straight ahead.
He carries me upstairs and sets me on the end of the bed. He pulls the covers down and then helps me get comfortable. He’s treating me like a child, but I happily go along with it. He starts to stand up, but I hold my hands out to him. “Lie down with me.”
His eyes are filled with pain. “Sky, I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
I know he’s dealing with things. Hell, he shot someone today, and I know that can’t be easy on him. I don’t want to beg, but I’m not above it. “Please. I just want you to hold me.”