Chapter 21
Theo
Iwakeexpectingtofeel nothing, but, instead, I feel warmth.
I’m lying on something soft, which doesn’t make sense. If I had fallen to my death, it would be hard, not soft. I wouldn’t be this warm, right? This… comfortable.
Something ruffles my hair, and my eyes fly open. All I can see is white, and when I shift slightly, strong arms tighten around my body.
Hunter.
Holy fuck. “I’m alive.”
The words come spilling out of my mouth, and I’m surprised by how shocked my tone sounds.
Hunter makes a deep, rumbly sound in his chest that ruffles my hair again. “Mmm, you’re alive, sweetheart.”
The warmth spreads. Not just outside, but on the inside too. “I’m alive,” I repeat. “I’m with you.”
“You’re alive,” Hunter says. “And you’re definitely with me.” This time, I can hear a slight smile in his voice. “How are you feeling?”
I don’t really know how to answer that. I mostly feel shocked that I’m alive and that I’m here.
Yesterday comes back to me in flashes.
Standing at the edge of the parking garage.
Thinking about how all my problems would go away if I just let myself fall.
And then leaning over, feeling the concrete under my chest and nails.
Waiting for peace. For death.
Being afraid of how easy it all sounded. Terrified, actually.
Backing up, staring at the edge as I moved further and further away. Getting in my car with only the thought that I needed Hunter.
The shock on his face when he opened the door. Collapsing into his arms. The relief. The pure fuckingrelief.Relief so strong and poignant that I was sure Ihadfallen to my death and Hunter’s arms were what awaited me.
He fed me. By hand. Helped me drink. Helped me…
No.I lift a hand slowly, running my fingers through my hair. My clean hair.
My throat goes tight. “You helped me bathe.”
“I’m sorry,” Hunter mumbles, sounding confused. I’m too ashamed to look at him to verify, though. “You said it was okay.”
I squeeze my eyes closed. “You saw…”
“Oh,” he whispers. “Theo?” I shake my head. “Theo, please look at me.”
Taking a deep breath, I tilt my head back without opening my eyes. I’m afraid. Will I see his disgust? His disdain? Will he ask me why I wasn’t stronger? Why I didn’t fight harder?
Hunter’s arm leaves my body, only for gentle, warm fingers to grip my chin and brush along my jaw. “Open your eyes.”
When I finally do, I’m met with the warm hazel of his gaze. Eyes I’ve missed so much. Eyes I was convinced I’d never see again.
His eyes dart between mine for a second. “I saw, yes.” I have to resist the urge to close my eyes again, to hide from him in shame. “You’re gorgeous, Theo. Every inch of you. That’s not why I offered to help you—not for anything like that, but youare.”
