general anesthesia. I didn’t feel a thing. There was a lot of cramping but I dealt with it. They even gave me a Popsicle after. There’s still is a little bit of a dull pain, but nothing I can’t fix with some Ibuprofen.”
“Who is taking care of you right now?”
I can’t tell him the truth. That would be adding the coarsest of salts to a very freshly incurred wound. “I’m fine. Gwen was here, helping me out. She was the first person I called.” I don’t quite lie. I suppose I lie by omission.
“I’m coming to see you as soon as I can,” he tells me, his words delivered with conviction. There is no question he’s hopping on the first plane out of California.
“No,” I plead. “Please don’t. Finish your business. You don’t need to come. I’m fine.”
“Nonsense, Mirella,” he presses. “I’m coming as soon as I can.”
Oh God.
“You should have contacted me as soon as this happened. Why didn’t you call me?”
“Uh…” I stammer. “I had too much going on. And I knew you were in California. I’m sorry.” The truth is, I didn’t have the strength to tell him.
“Are you going to be fine until I get there?” he asks. He has no clue Gabe is here. And Gabe will still be here when he shows up at God knows what time.
“Weston,” I struggle to say, “you should know… Gabe might be here,” I tell him but am very quick to add, “He’s getting some things for me. He should be back soon with a few supplies I need. Gwen had to go for a bit.”
Dreadful silence fills the line. Who knew silence could feel so heavy.
He sighs heavily. “That’s fine,” he says. I can tell he’s upset from the tone of his voice. “I’ll be there shortly,” he adds before hanging up.
I close my eyes, reminding myself I need to warn Gabe when he gets back.
I don’t wait up for Gabe, wanting this day to end. I sink into the sheets of my bed, hoping not to have any more nightmares. And I drift away…
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
I know I didn’t love you right.
I wake up at around six in the morning — much too early. My head hurts and my body is tense, achy. Gabe’s loud voice has woken me up. I can’t quite hear what he’s saying. I slip on my housecoat and bound down the stairs, curious to see what’s going on. He’s shirtless, in grey sweats, standing at the door, speaking to someone.
“What part of ‘she’s fine’ don’t you understand, Hanson?” he barks.
He stands, arms hanging off the frame of the door. His tall shape blocks the doorway in a pose of male dominance of sorts.
Oh fuck. Not this again.
My heart starts to race. The last thing we all need is Gabe pounding into Weston again.
I scurry quickly to Gabe’s side. I can’t quite see Weston but I hear his voice. “I just want to see her for one second,” he pleads, his voice soft, laced with a hint of prudence.
I’m surprised he’s here at all, after what Gabe did to him. Weston sure has some balls on him.
I sneak in under Gabe’s outstretched arm. “Let him in, Gabe. Just for one second.”
Gabe scowls at both of us as he backs away, reluctant.
To say it is awkward is to not do the scene justice. It is beyond awkward. Weston stands there, quiet, looking at me with the saddest eyes I have ever seen. Weston has always towered over me, seemed bigger than life. But now, he just seems so small, vulnerable, and fragile. I almost want to reach out and give him a hug, but I can’t. Gabe won’t leave us — he stands there leering at us.
“How are you feeling?” Weston finally ventures.
I shoot him a small smile. “I’m fine, Weston. Thank you for coming. I really appreciate it. You didn’t have to.”
His eyes dart quickly from Gabe to me. “I wanted to.” I can tell he’s dying to take me in his arms, but I’m sure he knows it just wouldn’t be right. And perhaps he has no desire to be killed today.
My eyes prick and my throat tightens. This is so horrible.
I turn to Gabe. “This was his child too,” I say softly. The jagged edges of my voice betray my feeble attempt at composure. “Can we just have a moment?”
He glares at both of us. “Sure,” he snaps just before he turns on his heel and bounds down the stairs.