Relentless

Chapter 26

Jay

Two weeks later

The doctors say my recovery is going well. I can breathe without the nasal cannula and my wounds have healed nicely. Ashton has come to see me every day after school and has stayed with me on weekends. He would be here twenty-four hours a day if he could, but I am forcing him to go to school.

Ashton has asked me about Daniel a few times, but to avoid talking about it, I tell him I'm tired and need some sleep. I can't believe I told him Daniel's name! I don't want him involved in this! I need to find some way around this.

"Boy in the room!" I hear Ashton yell as he walks into my hospital room with his backpack over his shoulder.

"Why, hello Mr. McShouterPants."

"Never heard that one before. You're getting your wit back, Summers." I sit up on the bed, letting him sit down next to me.

"Any work for me?" I ask, eager to have homework or something to stimulate brain activity.

"How many times do I have to tell you that you aren't doing any work? I've got it covered."

"I don't want to fail!"

"Are you calling me dumb?"

"What's the quadratic formula?" I ask only to receive a blank expression in return. "I rest my case."

"You're so mean to me. And to think that I brought you a surprise."

"You did?!" I ask, suddenly nervous and excited. "What is it?!" Being the annoying jerk he is, he folds his arms across his chest and looks straight ahead. "Ash, quit it, what did you bring me?"

"You insulted my intelligence."

"Ashton!" I whine like a little girl.

"Nope!"

"Please!"

"Nope!"

I slowly wrap my arms around his neck and place my head on his shoulder. I kiss his neck slowly and move up to his ear. "I'm sorry." I peck his cheek and look at him. I see his cheeks red and start to giggle when he turns his head rapidly and kisses me. He reaches into his bag and quickly takes out The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer. I place a hand over my mouth and look at Ashton.

"I thought you might get bored when I'm not here to entertain you." He says, smiling at me.

"How did you get this?" I ask, noticing that my bookmark is still inside.

"I may or may not have snuck into your house and taken it." I look up at him with the biggest smile that I've smiled in weeks. I place the book down and throw my arms around him. I feel his arms around my back and feel secure. He hasn't really been able to hold me since the incident, but now I need to feel him. He digs his head into my neck and I lean into it.

"Jay?"

"Hmm?"

"I love you." He whispers. I tighten my grip, not used to hearing anyone say that.

"I love you too."

"I love you more." He says, kissing my neck slowly. I giggle and he looks up at me, kissing my chin. I feel him slowly pushing me back to lay down and bring him with me. Once we are laying down, I curl up into his chest and cling to his shirt.

"Don't you have homework to do?" I ask.

"This is me we're talking about, babe. When have you ever known me to do homework?"

"Okay, but don't you have my homework to do?"

"I'll do it later. Right now, you're all I care about."