Lovers of Yesterday

Chapter 38 • What If's

When I stepped out of the shower twenty minutes later, I felt much better. My arm still hurt and sent bearable levels of pain through my shoulder when I moved it but it was better. Slowly but surely, it was getting better. I pulled on the clothes I brought and recaptured my arm in the sling before I walked out to the guest room.

I threw my sweatpants on the bed and grabbed one of my books and my phone before heading back out to the living room. I settled onto the couch and set my phone on the end table before opening my book.

I only came out of my trance when my phone began to ring. Placing the book pages down on the arm of the couch, I reached for my phone and read the name as well as check the time. I'd been reading for three and a half hours. I quickly answered the call and held the phone to my ear.

"Hey, sweetheart. How ya doin'?" Lynch's voice hit my ear and I smiled.

"I'm good," I responded. "Just realizing how long I've been reading."

"How long have you been reading?" He inquired jokingly.

I glanced at said book which was almost finished. "Three and a half hours."

"Damn." He actually sounded surprised. "How's your arm feeling?"

"Better. I took a shower earlier which kinda helped to loosen the tension."

"Good. I talked to Bridget about what happened and she said she'll give you a two week break minimum and to get better soon."

"I don't think I'll be out for two weeks, though. Maybe a week max. I need to get back to work soon." Worry was starting to creep into my gut.

Lynch apparently heard the anxiousness in my tone. "Hey, don't worry 'bout it. If you're worried about paying your bills, I can help out some. It's not an issue. We'll figure it out."

"But I can't rely on you forever. I need to take care of this myself. You shouldn't have to worry about taking care of me," I argued.

"Sweetheart, I want to help you. It's not a matter of necessity. You're under my care right now and if that means you need help in a financial issue, I'll gladly help. You're not a burden so don't even begin to think it. I got a few more hours here and then I'll be home and we can hang out. Alright?"

I worried my bottom lip listening to him talk. "Ok. We can do that."

"Good. I'll see you when I get home. Bye, sweetheart."

"Bye."

The line went dead as he ended the call. I slowly pulled my phone away from my ear to stare at the screen. I was stuck on one word he said. Home. This is his home.

Still thinking about what he said, I grabbed my book and resumed reading. It wouldn't take long for me to finish now so maybe I'll be able to take a short nap before Lynch gets back.

• • •

I was woken up to my book being moved off my lap. I opened my eyes and found Lynch sitting on the coffee table in front of me, setting the book next to him. He smiled at me as I rubbed the sleep from my eyes. How long was I asleep? Damnit, it was only supposed to be a short nap.

"Sorry I woke you up. I just wanted to move your book," he said, leaning forward so his forearms rested on his knees.

I shook my head and replied, "It's ok. I didn't mean to sleep this late anyway. It was just supposed to be a short nap."

He hummed. "How's your arm feeling?"

"Good. It doesn't hurt too much right now."

I sat up and stretched my good arm.  Reaching over, I grabbed my phone off the side table and tapped the screen to display the time. One oh four. I stood and tucked it into my back pocket before reaching over and grabbing my book.

Lynch slid over to the couch and I could still feel his eyes on me as I shuffled back to the guest room and set my book down on the nightstand. I stared at the next in the pile for a couple seconds before deciding to go without it. I'd probably end up falling asleep again.

I heard the TV on when I walked back out to the living room. He glanced up at me and patted the open spot next to him before raising his arm to rest on the back of the couch. I moved around the coffee table and took the spot, sinking back into the cushions.

I sighed as I felt my body relax. He gently nudged me to lean against his shoulder and I went willingly. His slid his arm under my back and wrapped his hand around my waist. I chewed on my lip as Alexandria's words rang out in my head, loud and clear.

I finally allowed myself to consider the possibility of me getting together with Lynch. It wasn't a bad idea but I wondered how others would take to it that I started dating so quickly after Liam. I'm sure Dria and Ember would be fine with it. Dria was the one who pushed for it, after all. But I was worried how my coworkers would react.

Vivian would most definitely not be happy. Rhea would probably be indifferent because we don't talk much besides work-related topics. Bridget may have a few things to say because the relationship could affect work ethic. I mentally groaned as all the possibilities rolled through my head.

Damn, I was giving myself a headache. I squeezed my eyes shut and willed it to go away. It only made it worse. Lynch's fingers squeezed my waist and I opened my eyes.

"You ok, sweetheart?" He inquired.

I nodded against his shoulder. "Mhm, just overthinking some things."

"What kinda things?"

Welp, I walked into that one. "Nothing important. I'm just worrying about things that aren't gonna happen."

"Yeah? Are you thinking about the what if's of what coulda happened with Liam?"

"No, but now I'm gonna. I was trying not to think about it."

He chuckled. "Sorry, sweetheart. But if you do start thinking 'bout it, just know you're safe and he's locked up where he can't get to you."

"I know, but that won't stop my hyper brain from imagining that it didn't work in your favor. If anything, I'll begin to think of the what if's of you getting hurt." I reached over to his hand and brushed over the small bruises on his knuckles.

He twisted his hand and caught mine in his. "I'd rather it be that way. I'm not gonna watch you get hurt like that again."

I nodded silently. I vaguely wondered if he could hear my pounding heart thumping against my chest. My eyes stayed glued to where he held my hand in his.

"How about we go somewhere tonight? How's that sound? That way we can just forget everything for a little while," he suggested.

"Sure, that sounds fun. What do you have in mind?"

"It's a surprise." I looked up at him to see him grinning.

With a little shake of my head, I was smiling too.