“What happened, Win?I'm worried about you.”
“My spleen ruptured.I almost died.I knew something was wrong when we crashed and I called Liliana after I called the cops because I wasn’t sure I was going to make it,” I whisper.“I needed to know Tali would be ok.”
Wheeler stares at me as his eyes water and he tugs me into his arms as gently as he can.He buries his head in the crook of my neck and doesn’t let me go.
“Why didn’t you tell me?It kills me to know you went through all of that alone.You know I would’ve been at the hospital for you.I would’ve done anything to help you.I don’t even want to think about living without you, Win.You’re my best friend.Man, you must’ve been terrified.”
“I don’t think I really thought about myself.I was too worried about Tali.”
“How long do you need to rest for?”
“At least four weeks, but Dr.Devine said it could be up to twelve weeks.It was major surgery.”
“Why didn’t you tell anyone?”
“I don’t know, Wheeler.I just didn’t want pity.Is that so bad?”
“I think you wanted to be alone and didn’t want anyone around.You’ve barely even let Liliana come over.”
“I can take care of myself, I just need a bedroom to sleep in.”
“You know my house is always open for you.I’d still happily let you move in.I know we’ll never be more than friends again, and I'm ok with that.I still care about you.”
“Thanks, Chase,” I whisper, hugging him a little tighter.He’s the type of friend I need right now.
Chapter 27
Schmidt
I’vebeenrockingTalifor hours.She won't fall asleep no matter what I try.I'm exhausted and listening to her cries are killing me.
“Win-Win,” she whimpers again.
She sits up and points towards Winnie’s room.She’s gone in there countless times and searched the entire house when we got home from the stadium today.She just wants Winnie, she doesn’t want me at all.
“Winnie’s not here, Tali,” I whisper as a lump forms in my throat.
My chest aches with the loss of her, but somehow listening to Tali cry for her is like another knife to my already broken heart.I never thought about how Tali would be impacted if Winnie and I broke up.
I didn’t think it would happen.I was in this for the long haul, yet she ran the first time I screwed up.She won't even give me a chance to fix it.
“I want Win-Win,” she cries even harder.
“How about we sleep in Winnie’s bed tonight?”
She doesn’t bother responding.She slips off my lap and drags her blanket on the floor until she gets to Winnie’s door.As soon as I open it, she’s climbing onto the bed and curling up on Winnie’s pillow.
It’s bad enough trying to make it through something like this, but to watch her go through it too, it’s killing me.Something needs to change.I have to get Winnie to talk to me again.
“Is she at your house?”I growl as I stomp up to where Wheeler’s getting his shoulder checked by Charlie.She has her baby in a wrap, snuggled up against her chest as she works.I love how Owen lets her bring Carter to work because she isn’t ready to leave her yet.
“I think you need to be more specific.”The jerk smirks at me.
“Is Winnie at your house?Is she staying there?”I fold my arms over my chest and glare at him.
It’s been almost a week since I took Tali home from the hospital.Winnie won't answer any of my phone calls and she barely responds to my texts.I tried to visit her in the hospital, but they wouldn’t let me in.Apparently, she told the staff she didn’t want any visitors and they were respecting her wishes.
“Oh, Winnie?Yeah, she’s living in my guest room.Why do you care?”
