Bythetimeweget back to the house, I have dozens of messages from our friends and my family.Everyone wants to make sure I'm ok and they’re asking what they can do to help.I appreciate all of the support, but I don’t want to talk to anyone right now.
“I’m grabbing you some Tylenol and a bottle of water.I’ll be right back.”He tries to take a step back, but I don’t let go of his hand.I’ve barely let go of him since everything happened.
I can’t explain why I feel so much safer when I'm touching him, but I do.It’s like my brain thinks because he saved me, he’ll protect me from everything.
I guess I should be happy it was Covey that saved me and not some random person.Who knows how I’d feel right now if that were the case.
“I’ll be right back, baby,” he says softly, squeezing my hand.“Or you can come with me.”
“No.I'm being ridiculous.”I close my eyes and shake my head.I can’t be afraid of everything.I refuse to be that person.I'm stronger than this.
“Hey,” he whispers.Slipping a hand around to the back of my neck, he presses his forehead against mine and just stays there.“Stop beating yourself up.You just went through something very traumatic.You’re allowed to be emotional and scared.Honestly, I’d be more worried if you were fine.”
“I feel so weak,” I confess.
“Don’t.You’re one of the strongest people I know.There’s nothing weak about you.Right now, you’re vulnerable, not weak.I'm really happy you feel safe with me.I think it would kill me if you didn’t.”
“Even if I don’t let you leave my side all week?”I stare up at him, looking for any sort of confirmation he thinks I'm being ridiculous.
“Oh, baby, I'm not leaving your side all week no matter what.”His deep chuckle rumbles through his chest, making me shake slightly in his arms.
“I love you.”
“I love you too.Are you coming to the kitchen with me?”
“No.I’ll be ok…” I trail off, unsure if I’ll actually be ok or if I’ll start panicking immediately.
“I’ll hurry.”He kisses my forehead before rushing out of the room.
I don’t know what I’d do without Covey.I’ve gotten so used to him living with me, I honestly don’t know what I’ll do when his house is done.I'm really hoping by the time it’s finished, we’re engaged.Then we could move in there and sell my house.
I just want to start forever with him.
Bending over to pick up a blanket that slipped off the bed and onto the floor, I wince at the pain in my abdomen.I lift the hem of the sweatshirt and look at my stomach in the mirror.
I sniffle as I try to blink away the tears gathering in my eyes.
“Baby,” Covey breathes as he sets the water and medicine on the table.He comes up behind me and gently wraps his arms around my waist.“How badly do you hurt?”He brushes his fingers over my bruises softly as concern pinches his brows together.
“I'm sore, but I’ll be ok.”
“I'm so sorry.I should’ve gotten our drinks-”
“No.None of this was your fault.I’ve gotten drinks dozens of times at Kennedy’s Pub.Probably even more than that.Nothing happened to me any of those times.This is purely because of Josh and no one else.Don’t you dare feel like you should’ve done more.You saved me, Covey.”
“I just… I wish I could’ve gotten to you sooner.I wish he didn’t leave a single mark on you,” he murmurs, running his fingers across my stomach.
“They won't be here for long.They’ll be gone in a few weeks.”
The next few days are a blur of meeting with lawyers and cuddling with Covey.He’s been such a huge support system for me and never leaves my side for longer than it takes to run to the bathroom or to shower.He’s been my rock and I don’t know what I’d do without him.
“I want to get married,” I whisper as I'm curled up in Covey’s arms.
“I want to get married too.Anyone specific you have in mind?”He grins.
“Only one person.”
“Dang, you narrowed it down to one?”His brows raise like he’s surprised.
