Apartment 311

Ch | 98

Noah Silas Anderson

Chapter Ninety-eight: "Liability"

I didn't know what to think about Brooklyn's episode. She scared the shit out of me, I really wanted to call Gael and Cassie or take her to the hospital.
I'd never seen her show so much emotion, vulnerability.
Actually, it was refreshing. I never loved her more than in that moment.

Brooklyn's face was bright red and her skin was so hot it sizzled against mine. Then, she started to shiver and I got a look at Cassie's gift, the blanket. My eyes shot straight to all of Brooklyn's images, and I smiled at her goofy shots and the ones she posed pretty in.

Brooklyn started to cough and snapped me out of my trance, I instinctively sat her up and started to pat her back like a parent burping a baby.

"Drink your water," I told her, my voice getting hoarse now.

She leaned forward weakly and swallowed a few gulps.

She rolled her shoulder and winced at the pain. Finally, I thought, something I can help with.

I adjusted the strap around her neck and repositioned her arm but she insisted she'd take it off to sleep, saying it didn't hurt too bad.

I hated seeing her like this. Man, the way she cried, it was gut-wrenching. She was really hurt and I hoped that wasn't solely because of me.

I didn't want her talking too much, though.

I stood as she fluffed her pillow. Brooklyn shot right up in bed and asked me, "Where are you going?!"

"Just to make sure the door is locked," I assured her, stepping out of my shoes so she'd see I wasn't leaving.

Brooklyn hiccuped and sat back, squeezing her blanket.

I passed the kitchen and thought about grabbing some pills as I knew she'd wake up with a headache. Shit, I had one, I'm sorry.

Gladly, the door was locked. I looked around and made sure everything was in place and nothing strange was up.

I returned to Brooklyn's bedroom and realized I left my phone at my place, but it didn't matter because I didn't need it. My only focus tonight was Brooklyn.

She heard me toss my shirt onto my shoes and sat up, blinking her eyes open.

"I'm not going to be able to go to sleep," she spoke quietly. "Can you close that door?"

I looked at the balcony. "But you always leave it open," I said and looked at the worry in her eyes. "--Okay."

I walked over and closed the doors, turning the lock.

"Do you need anything else?" I asked sincerely, removing my watch.

She shook her head, looking so adorable I just smiled and laughed through my nose.

"What?" She asked what I was laughing at as I eased back into the bed I missed.

"I love you," I said, putting my arm under her neck and pillow.

"After everything?"

"Yeah."

"I'm sorry for all of this," she said with closed eyes. "You deserve better."

"You're the best," I said, kissing her head.

Before I knew it, she was sleep in my arms and I didn't dare move a muscle. I was comfortable as is and shut my eyes to rest, too.