My jaw drops.I stare into his eyes, searching for any twitch of a lie.But no, he’s serious.
“You mean you worked with him to catch Alan?”My voice stutters between my rapid breaths.I don’t expect this at all.But the way he nods, lips pressed tight like he’s forcing himself to accept it, convinces me his words aren’t a trick.
“Wow.Okay.”I breathe in, trying to process it.
This is so messed up.But he strips his ego just to work with him.Not fully, they still bicker like enemies, but what a sacrifice.That’s a different level of forgiveness in my world.
“So, are they happy together now?”I blink, still bewildered by the whole thing.
He gives me a long stare and shakes his head.His hands drift back to stroke my fingers.He looks down, like he’s holding his mouth shut to stop himself from saying more.He lifts my hand, kisses it slow and deep, like he needs the contact just to stay steady.
“They separated when I entered law school,” he says, his voice muffled against my hand.It’s not a kiss.It’s a scream for help.
“Oh.I’m sorry to hear that,” I whisper.“I didn’t see it coming at all.God.”I grasp his hand tighter.
“Yeah.It’s okay.”He pulls back and exhales.“But they’re still good friends, that’s why she came to say hi to him and looked civil.Sometimes I wonder if my mom had an affair with her true love.It must be.Why would she do all that to us if it wasn’t true love.”Laird lets out a long sigh.
“I don’t think that’s true love.That’s why she divorces again.She’s just being selfish, running from your dad and her responsibility of taking care of you and Lloyd.”I mumble.
I rub his cheek.How sad and how hard it must be for him.Not to mention how he has to join hands with the man who destroyed his family.It can’t be easy.
“Well, never mind that.I don’t give a fuck about her anymore.”He shrugs, but the shrug looks a little forced.
“But you cooperate with him.”My gaze lands on his lips tightening.
“Only for you.”Laird’s thumb rubs my cheek.
His eyes gleam like he keeps everything inside that gaze.Something so painful, some regrets, something I can never truly understand.I pull him closer, circling my hand on the back of his neck, planting a lingering kiss on his temple.
My lips trail to his cheek, hoping I can reduce all his negative emotion.When my lips reach his, we kiss carefully so we don’t hurt his stomach.Our lips move slow, our tongues tasting each other with soft pulls.
“Ouch.”Laird winces and pulls back with a grimace.He straightens his back so his stomach won’t press.
“Uh, you know, it seems like a bad idea to stay here too long.”I giggle, and Laird lets out a small laugh too.
“Yeah.You should go home and rest.”His eyes flutter closed.
“Will you be okay on your own?”I ask while stroking his cheek.
“No.I’m not gonna be okay.Maybe stay a bit longer?Promise I won’t do anything.”Laird pulls me back into his arms and guides me down onto his bed.
“Laird.”His name leaves my lips as my cheeks warm.
He lies beside me.Carefully, he turns onto his side and hugs me like I’m his pillow.His lips press a long kiss to my forehead.
“It must be the medicine making me drowsy.Stay with me until I fall asleep,” he says, his eyes closing.
I smile.“Okay.I’ll be here until you sleep.”My thumb strokes his jawline.
“Thank you, baby.”His voice softens as his eyelids grow heavy.I kiss his eyelids for a soft goodnight kiss.He gives a small smile and looks at me for a moment before he closes his beautiful emerald green eyes.
* * *
Two weeks later, all my bruises are healed.No more purple spots or marks.I can walk without pain.There’s a faint scar on my ear and cheek, but I can cover it with my hair and a band-aid.
I bring sunglasses too, just in case paparazzi are lurking.Scars and tired eyes stand out in photos, and I don’t need another scandal cooked up by the media.
“Is there really no way to get in?”I sigh.
