Rancorous

Chapter 18

PRESENT

Herlina

I clutched the warm cloth closer and moved on my side, getting more comfortable. The dense material of whatever I was lying on made it impossible to find the perfect position to fall back asleep on.

I opened my eyes, sensing unfamiliarity all around me. Stiffening, I sat up straight. The sweater I'd used as a blanket plopped on the floor.

The black leather interior reminded me that I was in Brevin's car. Glancing to my left, the driver's seat was vacant, but the car was still on. The heater was blowing warm air lightly.

Rubbing my eyes, the bright white letters of the hospital stood out in the night.

I searched around for Brevin, feeling my heart beating faster.

Where could he be?

Gathering the sweater, I folded it and placed it in the driver's seat. Opening the car door, I shivered as the wind grazed my bare skin. The parking lot had a few littered cars, but I didn't see Brevin anywhere.

Rubbing my hands on my arms, I reached back in the car and slipped Brevin's beige sweater on. It was large on me, falling to my thighs which was a blessing because it swallowed my body in warmth.

Reaching for my phone, I realized I didn't have any pockets. My muscles relaxed as soon as I saw it in one of the cup holders. Tucking it in the pocket of Brevin's sweater, I ungracefully hobbled my way toward the entrance of the hospital. I exhaled deeply, turning a corner when I suddenly heard a familiar deep voice.

Standing a few feet away, I watched Brevin's back as he walked with short languid steps.

"I know." Brevin's tone was curt. He sounded like he didn't want to talk to whoever he was on the phone with.

I quietly edged closer, but I still couldn't distinguish what the person on the other side of the line was saying. All I knew was that it was a male voice by the deep and gruff nature of it.

"Yeah, they are." As he heard the person respond on the phone, he stopped pacing. The muscles on his broad back flexed through his white shirt. His left hand fisting tight. Whatever the person said, he must've hit a nerve in Brevin.

"I'm well aware." His voice was polite, but to me it was as if he was pushing his true feelings down his throat. Refraining from sounding or saying what he truly felt.

He tucked his phone in the front of his jeans. No words of departure from either party. That was strange.

Brevin's wide shoulders visibly slacked. Walking closer, I tucked a piece of hair behind my ear. "Brevin?"

His shoulders went taut as he turned around. The light from a nearby lamppost allowing me to detail his face. His cheeks and nose were flushed from the cold against his pale skin. His eyes had shadows underneath, like he hadn't been getting enough sleep lately.

He looked drained, depleted, completely worn out.

How had I not noticed this? It made my heart painfully beat. I wanted to take his worries away, or ease them as much as I could.

"When did you get here?" His posture was casual, cool. But the small crease in between his brows was deceptive.

"A couple seconds ago. I just got out of the car." My mouth wanted to wander and ask him who he was talking to. But, something told me he would shut me out and reply bitterly without telling me who.

I was walking on egg shells around a dragon. One wrong move and he would bathe me in fire.

Brevin's eyes wondered to his jacket I was wearing. His lips separated ever so slightly as he looked at me from head to toe.