Now as he climbs into bed, curling me against his chest, still murmuring those soft, reassuring words, I can’t make myself pull away, can’t imagine walking out, can’t so much as form the image in my head.
I just…cry.
And let him hold me the entire time.
I don’t remember fallingasleep, but the moment my eyes peel open, sunshine pouring in through the windows, I know that Brooks is awake.
And that he hasn’t slept a wink.
I feel it in the tension in his body, in the strain of his emotions licking at the air.
When I put a hand to the mattress and push up, his arms fall away and I’m able to see his face, and yup—definitely didn’t sleep a wink.
His hair is mussed, the stubble on his cheeks thick, but his eyes are alert, the dark circles beneath them so black they almost look bruised.
“You okay?” he asks quietly.
I nod.
He slowly lifts a hand but pauses before he touches me.
I lean in, close the distance between my cheek and his palm. “Liar,” he murmurs, lightly stroking his thumb over my skin, the slight rasp making me shiver.
He tugs the blankets more tightly around me.
Then explains why he called me a liar.
“You’re exhausted and your body’s aching.”
He’s not wrong.
I feel like I got run over by a Mack truck, my throat sore and my shoulders and back muscles throbbing from all the crying.
Before I can admit that, he’s slipping out of bed.
I watch him until he disappears from sight, not understanding…
Until I hear the water turn on, filling the tub.
And my heart squeezes.
He comes out, our gazes sliding by each other’s as he moves out of the bedroom, footsteps soft on the hardwood floor in the hall.
I wait, but when he’s gone for more than a couple of minutes I decide I’d better check on the water in the tub so I climb out of bed and do just that.
It’s nearly full so I take care of the necessary bathroom needs.
When I’m washing my hands, Brooks walks back in, a cup in his hand and a bag in the other. “Toothbrush,” he says quietly as he puts the plastic bag beside me on the counter. “Tea,” he adds when he sets down the mug.
It’s steaming, tangling with the damp air and filling the room with the soft hints of chai.
“You hungry?”
I shake my head.
After all the food from last night, I’m still full.
“Sure?”
