Bound to You

Chapter 18

I woke up in a hospital room. As far as birthdays went, this one wasn't a favorite.

Except.

Except it was your touch that woke me up. You were hovering over me, your warm palm against my cheek.

"Shit," you whispered. "I didn't mean to wake you." You started to pull away, but I reached up to grab your wrist, keeping your skin against mine. Your eyes went wide for a second, but then you relaxed, your fingers curling around me. But then your jaw tightened. "What the hell were you thinking, Lena?"

I wasn't sure what you were talking about at first. Showing up at your apartment last night? Leaving this morning?

No. Aaron.

I let your hand go, and it dropped away from me. "Aaron. Where is he?"

You crossed your arms, looking so stern, I wanted to laugh. "He was arrested. My neighbor, Miss Harris, found the two of you. She called the police." You shook your head, and I couldn't tell if it was disappointment. Or something else.

And then you were in my face again, so close I could feel your breath on my skin. "Why do you do this to yourself, Lena? Why do you only want to be with people who want to hurt you?"

Your eyes roved my face, and more than anything I wanted to tell you you were wrong. That the person I wanted to be with more than anything would never hurt me. That I wanted to be with you.

Your eyes dipped, and my whole body went hot when they landed on my mouth. "Why won't you take care you yourself?" you asked. "Why can't you see that there are people that care about you?"

Kiss me, I wanted to say. If you care about me, show me.

But my words were cut off by footsteps, and then Marie was in the doorway. You were still leaning over me, your hands clutching the bed on either side of my shoulders, and Marie's eyes scanned over us quickly before you had a chance to move away.

You straightened, putting your hands in your pockets, and Marie stepped up to the bed. "You're awake," she said, but it didn't sound friendly. She had a vase full of flowers in her hand, and she set them down on the bedside table hard, making a loud thunk. I didn't miss the way you flinched.

"I should probably get back to work," you said. "Your dad is just downstairs, and your mum is on her way. I'll let them know you're awake." You motioned at Marie, and when you walked around the bed to meet her, she looked at me, her eyes hard. You put your arm around her, and the two of you walked out of the room, and I wished I'd never woken up at all.