“Then no,” she refuses. “Yes. The phone.”
“For what?”
“To get someone to come get me.”
“Travis?” I ask pointedly. My irritation and jealousy rear their ugly heads instantly.
She shakes her head. “Mack.”
“He’s busy.”
“Yeah, you’re probably right. So is Shane. I don’t have anyone else to call.”
“Where’s your cell phone?” I ask.
“In a million pieces on the highway.”
“Looks like you’re stuck here then,” I assert. “When did you eat last? You look very pale.”
“I’m not hungry,” she stubbornly refuses again. “I can call the front desk and get a room here. If I can just get my crutches, I’ll be out of your way soon.”
“You’re obsessed with the crutches. You’re fine right where you are. If I bring them in here, you’ll just try to walk to the door again. Clearly, you’re in no condition to do that, and I can’t just stand by and let you get hurt. Why aren’t you in a wheelchair anyway?”
“I didn’t want one.” She shrugs. “And I want my crutches nearby because I’m totally helpless without them.”
“You need rest, and you need someone to take care of you. Being totally helpless may be a good thing for you, so you’ll learn to lean on someone else for once.”
* * *
ANDI
My energy is totally spent, and I have no reserves left in me. If Luke told me to leave now, there’s no way I’d physically be able to do it. Even as strong as I am, I can’t deny that I’m in over my head.
I need help.
I need Luke.
As I look up at him, my heart overflows with love and longing. When he held me, I wanted to grab on to him and never let go. His scent, his touch, his warmth, and the security I feel when he holds me cocooned me. When he released me, it broke my heart all over again.
“You’re right,” I concede.
“I’m sorry. What? What did you just say?” he asks incredulously.
“You’re right. I need someone to help me and take care of me.” I look down as my chin starts quivering again. I want that someone to be Luke, but he’s not finished with his training camp yet. Even if he were, I already know his true feelings about us, where we stand. There’s no love in pity. There’s no reconciliation in obligation. There’s no future in encumbrance. “I just don’t have anyone here. I need to arrange transportation to get back home.”
“What happened between you and Travis? Did you two break up?” Luke asks.
Closing my eyes, I lay my head back on the pillow. I feel another fight coming on that I don’t have the energy to handle right now. I take a deep breath before answering him.
“After you and Syndi got together, I wanted to get back at you so badly. It crushed me every time I saw the two of you together. I wouldn’t even turn on the TV because there was a new picture of you with her every time. So, I tried to fall in love with Travis—I really did. I tried to move on. I tried to forget you. I tried to put you behind me for good. Problem is, my heart never seemed to take the hint.
“Travis is a great guy and didn’t do one thing wrong while I was with you. He respected our relationship and was just a friend. He was there to help pick up the pieces after you moved on with Syndi, and I selfishly let him. I’d already told Travis before the wreck that I was still in love with you. When I explained to him how I felt about you, it really hurt him. But he insisted that he cared enough about me to want me to be happy, even if it wasn’t with him.
“It’s always been you in my heart, Luke. You’re the one I don’t want to live without, and no one else will ever change that.”
A loud thud alarms me and my eyes fly open. When I find Luke, I realize where the sound came from. He’s dropped to his knees beside the bed. Tears are pooled in his beautiful eyes, and his mouth hangs open in complete astonishment. He extends his hand and cups my cheek in it. Instinctively, I lean into the warmth of his touch and relish the feel of his hand on me again. I’m not even ashamed of my reaction to him. I’m completely in love with him, and it’s pointless to even try to hide it.
“You weren’t with Travis before we broke up?” he chokes out.
