The Price Of Love

Chapter 26

Jay's POV

I wake up in my bed.

I stay perfectly still, staring up at the ceiling as I try to remember how I got here. I feel a pain in my stomach, as well as my left leg, and suddenly it all comes rushing back to me.

I lift the covers off me and sit up on my elbows as I look down at my bare chest. There's a wide bandage on my stomach, four stripes of white medical tape keeping it there.

I look further down, seeing my thigh is covered the same way.

I hear a groan, and I go tense, my guard going up as I look to the side. I only then spot who's beside me.

Lying on top of the covers is Talia, who's fast asleep. She's curled up into herself, her braids all spread out on the pillow she's lying on. She's still in her denim shorts, but her white tank top has been replaced with a dark grey knitted jumper.

I lie there, staring at her for god only knows how long.

Today was a reality check.

I was about to give in. About to say fuck it. Then Issac showed up and reminded me why I need to distance myself from her. 

He knows. Or at least he's suspicious. Which as I said, is so much fucking worse, since he doesn't like not knowing shit. He'll want to know for sure, meaning I need to prepare for whatever test he comes up with to see if I care for her or not.

I will fail that test. In seconds. So I need to get her out of here. As soon as fucking possible.

I sigh, watching her still. I roll onto my side to face her, wincing from the pain. I reach my hand out, gently brushing my knuckles against her cheek.

I'm going to miss her. Fuck- I'm going to go insane without her here.

I pull my hand away, closing my eyes while I take a deep breath. And for the millionth time, I wish for a different life.

She stirs in her sleep, and I open my eyes, watching as she lets out a soft hum as she rolls onto her back. Knowing I can't just stare at her forever, I sit up, wincing from the pain but ignoring it.

I stand up, screwing my eyes shut. I take a deep breath, reminding myself I've experienced much worse before I walk to my door and step out.

My head is a little fuzzy as I step into the kitchen, seeing it is dark outside from the window above the kitchen sink. I wonder what time it is, and when I look down to check my watch I see it's gone.

My mouth is dry as hell, so I go and open the fridge, groaning in pain when I have to bend down to grab a bottle of water. It's worth it when I take the first sip, the cold water immediately quenching my thirst. I chug half the bottle.

I hear my bedroom door suddenly open. "Sit down!" Talia suddenly yells, and I turn my head to see her scowling, rushing over to me. I hum before drinking the remainder of my water. "I'm fine," I tell her.

She shakes her head, her hand grabbing mine. "Jay please" She groans, and I glance away from her as I sigh, nodding my head in defeat.

She pulls me to the couch, and I sit down while she stands directly in front of me, frowning at me as her eyes flicker between my two injuries.

All I'm wearing right now are a pair of basketball shorts I wasn't even aware I owned. I feel severely underdressed, but I assumed Talia would stay asleep long enough for me to throw on some proper clothes.

"They said the knife didn't do anything major. You just lost a lot of blood" Talia mumbles, glancing at my eyes. "It's been thirteen hours".

I sigh, leaning my head back as I close my eyes. "So much work to catch up on" I mutter to myself, opening my eyes as I stare up at the ceiling.