Playing (Inked Hearts 2)

His fingers skim my temples as he pulls my glasses off my face. "You miss her?"

"Yeah. It's been good talking more on the phone. But she sounds so alive. Every time she laughs, I think it might be the last time."

He nods. "Are you going to see her?"

"I finally got tickets. In two weekends. It's the day after the concert actually."

"I'll take you to the airport."

"Yeah?"

"Of course." He runs his fingers through my hair. "Anything."

"Will you be there? If she... if she does die."

He stares up at me. "Your parents will realize—"

"I know."

"They won't let you stay here."

"I know."

"You're okay with that?"

Maybe. I don't know. But— "I'll need you there. I'm not sure I'll survive any other way."

"Then I'll be there."

It calms something in me. More than it should. I do trust him. With almost anything. "What was it like when you found out?"

" It was matter of fact. I got this call that told me my parents were in critical condition. By the time I got to the hospital, they were gone."

"Do you wish you'd said goodbye?"

"I don't think about it. I didn't have time. I had to figure out how to be a fucking parent. By the time I had space to breathe, it hurt less."

So he stayed busy. That's good advice. I can do that. I can do busy. But then— "Have you ever stopped and felt it?"

"It's hard to find a part of me that misses them."

"Really?"

"I know. I sound like a piece of shit—"

"No, I get it."

"I'm sure it will be worse for you, Kay. But I'll be there. With whatever you need."

I slink off my chair and wrap my arms around him.

He presses his lips to my forehead.

We stay linked together, breathing together, hearts beating together for ages.

Until there's a sound downstairs. The door opening. And Emma announcing her arrival.

Brendon plants a soft kiss on my lips. "Tomorrow."