He nods as if he understands but there is no way anyone can understand what I’m feeling unless they have experienced it, like Jolie. “That’s understandable. You’re safe here. I want you to know that. You’re under our protection,” he says.
“I’m learning that slowly,” I reply.
“Slow is better than not at all.” This time, he does take a step inside the room and the intensity rolling off him in waves has my spine straightening. “So, I’m not sure if you know this, but it is something that needs to be discussed.” He sits in the corner where Jolie was just a moment ago, not crowding me.
I like that.
He respects the panic I feel. Not many men care enough like these guys do.
“Jaxon,” Asher warns him and when I look above me, he is shaking his head, disagreeing with whatever Jaxon wanted to talk about.
“It has to be discussed. It isn’t fair to make them wait.” He leans his elbows on his knees and the shaved side of his head is illuminated in the light while the hair that hangs down is hidden in the shadows. He is a very scary guy, and I’m glad he is in my corner.
For now.
So it seems.
“Your parents are very worried about you, Heather.”
“You’ve talked to them?” I ask, feeling a bit more alive than I did a second ago.
“No,” he shakes his head. “Every news outlet on TV has your picture on it. They want you home and they need to know you’re safe. It looks like they miss you very much.”
My chin wobbles and the threat of tears shakes my lip. “I miss them too. I never thought I’d see them again.”
“Do you want me to call the number the news is giving out to the public? I’ll do whatever you want me to. You have every right to go home, Heather. You aren’t trapped here. You aren’t a prisoner. You are in control of what happens from this moment on.”
I don’t want them to see me like this, broken and afraid of my own shadow. Obviously, I’ve changed, but I want to come to terms with what has happened to me before I see my mom and dad. It will ruin them when they find out the details.
“You don’t have to decide right now. I wanted to let you know that your family has been searching for you all this time and they are there for you when you are ready to see them.”
Asher lets out a long exhale and I feel the warm puff drift over my neck. His hands fall from my shoulders and I immediately miss knowing he’s at my back, protecting me. I glance up at him and when he tilts his chin down to meet my eyes, there is a sadness in them that I can’t understand. “You should go home, eventually. Your parents are good people and I know they are worried sick.”
I nod in agreement, wondering if he is trying to get me to leave. “Yeah, probably, but I’m not ready yet,” I give my attention to Jaxon next. “I need time on my own first. My parents will bombard me, and I’ll feel suffocated. I don’t need that right now. Maybe in a few days? If I’m feeling up to it?”
Jaxon gives me a pleasant smile, something that seems almost wrong on him because of how menacing he looks. “Anything you want, Heather. I just wanted to update you, okay? I’ll leave you alone. Rest up.” He stands and puts his hands in his pockets to stroll out the door but when he hears the babies cry, he kicks it up a notch and runs.
“He seems like a nice guy and a good dad,” I say, trying to make small talk. I don’t know what to say to Asher. We don’t know each other anymore. I guess we never really did.
Heaven walks around the bed and stops at the dresser, snagging a plain pair of grey joggers and an oversized black t-shirt. Next, he opens the drawer beneath and grabs a simple pair of black panties.
I blush when I realize he is getting those items for me.
“He is the best guy. All of the men here are. They are my family.” He keeps his back turned to me and I know with what happened with my sister, his mom and dad disowned him. His dad was always rotten to the core and his mom was a snooty bitch, so I think he is better off without them, but that doesn’t mean he can’t wish they were still a family. “They were here for me when no one else was. I owe them everything.” He folds each piece of clothing and neatly lays them on the bed. Panties on top. “I’ll wait outside to give you some privacy. Holler if you need me. Or don’t. You know, if you want time alone, that’s understandable. I’ll uh…” He scratches the back of his head and huffs a short chuckle. “Okay, I’ll go.” He clears his throat and gives me an awkward parting glance as he opens, then closes the door behind him.
I’m left in silence, minus the slight hum of the heat coming through the vent. I’m still covered in a blanket and a wet towel. My head is feeling better, not as foggy, but I am getting a headache. When I slide my feet out of bed and stand, I sway and grab the edge of the nightstand with my hand and knock over a yellow pill bottle. I fall back to the bed and snag the bottle before it rolls off the nightstand.
It’s ibuprofen.
Owen thought of everything.
I set them down and the plastic clinks against the smooth modern nightstand. I sigh, glancing out the window to see a beautiful view in front of me. I almost don’t want to go home because looking at the cliffs, the ocean, and seeing the seagulls fly is therapeutic. I wouldn’t get this at my parents. They would hire a counselor, which I think I do need, but I’ll never see anything but the inside of the house. My mom won’t let me breathe, but dad will hover, and right now, I have space to heal.
That’s what I need more than my family right now. The truth is a hard pill to swallow, but I’m ready to guzzle it down. My family can wait. I know they are in pain, but I am too, and before I see them, I need to do some healing of my own and seeing the forest, the ocean, where else could I feel a sliver of peace like this?
Reaching to the left, I grab the clothes Asher sat out for me and grab the panties first.
Ah, crap.