An Open Sky

Chapter Fifty-Four ~Aidan~

My head spun. My thoughts were clouded with a mixture of Alexa’s questioning of my health, and Jay. The throbbing of my heart against my chest with the pain, like fire, in my side may have been enough to push me over the edge.

                “Is he going to find us? Aidan, could he have followed us here?” Her eyes were so terrified…

                “The door is locked. He’s hurt. Therefore, we’re fine,” I stated a lot more confidently than I felt. I shifted so she couldn’t see the wound as well.

                “You’re hurt too. Why didn’t you tell me?” She led me to the bed. “Lay down,” she ordered. I complied. I didn’t have enough will-power or physical power to resist. Luckily I’d had enough time to pull on shorts before exiting the bathroom.

                She was breathing almost as heavily as I was; her breath sending chills down my body despite the warmth of it. “You were hit, weren’t you?” She breathed, “By the bullet meant for me.”

                I shrugged, ignoring the immediate burst of pain in my shoulder. “You would’ve done the same,” I lied. Honestly, I wasn’t sure if she would have put herself in between me and a bullet, but it wasn’t like I tried to get shot for her; it just happened like that.

                She just watched me. “You need an ambulance.”

                “And you need to calm down. Relax a little,” I quoted. “Besides, it’s not as bad as it looks. The shot just skimmed my side; it’ll stop bleeding soon enough.” I wouldn’t find myself back in another hospital. I wouldn’t let this ruin the night, our only night. Her warm fingers traced the bruise on my shoulder so lightly it almost tickled.

                “How’d you pull this one off?” She gestured to my shoulder, which still throbbed with the faint memory of her touch.

                I grinned. “I jumped.”

                “Over the edge? Yeah, I’d agree with that. You’re insane,” she teased. “But I’m glad. Otherwise I don’t know what would’ve happened.”

                Her sudden serious tone startled me. I looked up at her, but she was preoccupied with the sheets. She tapped my arm.

                “Yeah?” I dropped my head back to look at her. She was as beautiful upside down as she was right side up. Chills shot down my spine as her fingers curled themselves through my hair.

                “Are you able to left yourself up long enough for me to pull these covers back?” Her lips curled into a devilish smile.

                “I don’t know,” I plopped myself back down on the bed, showing her I had no intention of moving, and flashed her a wide grin.

                “Move your fat butt off of these covers,” she said, pulling me slightly.

                “Oh, so now I’m fat too,” I stated with my best drama-queen voice. “I’m offended.”

                “Aidan, stop,” she laughed, slapping my chest.

                I held my chest, moaning, “Now what? Do you want me to have a heart attack, too? Help!” I muttered, “She’s trying to kill me!”

                “Shut up! Do you want the cops here?” Her light, normal sounding laugh, complimented the awkwardness of mine perfectly.