“No,” she cuts in. “Don’t force me.”
That’s the last thing I’d ever do.
“Fine, but...” I motion at her bandaged arm, soaked from the shower. “I need to change the dressing. It won’t take long.”
I gently tug her hand until she sits on the bed, shaking softly. The room is warm but she’s exhausted.
She stares straight ahead while I work, doing my best not to look directly at the bruises on her back but it’s impossible. I chew my teeth to stop myself asking how it happened. What did they do to my girl?Whodid it? Have I killed them tonight or do I need to go back and skin the fuckers?
But I don’t ask questions, giving her the time she wants.
Once done, I help her back into my hoodie, then lift the comforter, watching her curl into a ball, her eyes searching mine with an unreadable expression.
“Whatever’s going through your head, put it on hold.”
“I’ll sleep in the next room,” I say.
“Why? You can stay with me, Nash.”
The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. “That’s not my name. You know that, don’t you?”
She exhales, resignation flooding her features. “I know.”
“Then why do you keep calling meNash, pretty girl?”
Her lips pinch into a thin line as her gaze drops from my face. “Nash made me happy.”
The bullet I took earlier hasnothingonhow much it hurts when the meaning of her words sinks.
“Imade you happy,” I insist. “Nash was just a name. Carter and Nash are the same person, Hailey.”
She’s normally so strong, so resilient... She proved it just a few minutes ago, but right now she looks so fucking sad. I hate that look. I hate that it’s my fault.
“I’m sorry. I won’t call you Nash again.” She pats the empty, and so so tempting, side of the bed.
No matter how much I want to cave, I can’t. Not while she’s this vulnerable, this fucking confused, and uncertain about both my feelings and, apparently, my identity.
“You don’t trust me, but you want to sleep with me?”
“I don’t have to trust you to want you,” she counters.
“You’re right but you can’t have me unless you trust me.”
She looks torn, a war raging within her fragile mind. I half expect her to wave the white flag, admitting defeat, but, in the next breath, her determination takes the victory.
“Okay. Goodnight.”
I could push. I could sway her flaking resolve. It wouldn’t take much, but she needs time. Even though it breaks me clean in two, Idon’ttry to change her mind.
She needs to realize I’m still the guy who made her happy at Lakeside. That I wasn’t pretending.
She’s here. She’s safe but...
I haven’t got her back.
Summoning a shred of self-control, I rise to my feet. “I’m right behind the wall if you need me, pretty girl.”
“Goodnight,” she whispers, letting me know I should go.
