after the first time they cornered Jess. Warren, he said, has always had issues. Sonny wasn't so bad until he returned to Rossview after college and his mom died. There were rumors, but while they'd been teammates, Sonny wasn't someone Owen was close to, so he never searched out the details.
"She was most upset about you and Chase, though. You remember that argument she had with Chase and I on the fourth?" Like I could forget? "She was adamant that you shouldn't have to deal with her baggage."
That silly, beautiful, irritating woman. "The doctors are pretty sure my knee is fine. It's swollen and probably strained, something I can follow up with Dr. Anderson about and do extra PT for. I'm just waiting on the MRI to confirm before they let me go." I check the time on my phone. "I know I'm a pain in the ass for asking but—"
"I'll stay until you get here. Not a problem, man."
The additional two hours I’m forced to wait in the ER is hell. The realization that I arrived in an ambulance and have to call Owen to pick me up isn't much better. But the agony of driving and finding my sister being attacked and Jess missing? If there's a word for something darker than hell, I didn't pick up on it in school.
I slide my key into the back lock and steady myself as I walk inside. The living room and kitchen are vacant. The house dark but for the light over the kitchen sink. I stare across the space to the hallway landing, and start walking. Maybe I should knock. Maybe I should have called ahead. Maybe…
All maybe's slip away when I spot her. The bedroom door is partially open, and she is asleep on top of the bed. The comforter hanging off one end, the sheet bunched around her legs. The bathroom light is on the same way she always leaves it when she goes to bed before me. Just one of the little things I've loved about having her here since her dad left. I step further into the room, careful not to make a sound. My heart pounds in my ears, and my palms sweat.
She's so fucking beautiful. Her dark hair wild around her head. A hand tucked under her pillow. My tee bunched around her waist. I drag a painful breath through my nose. She's wearing my shirt. I lower to the floor and rest my back on the wall directly across from where she lies, and stare.
"Carter?" My eyes open at her soft voice.
I dozed off with my knees drawn to my chest, and my head resting on my forearms crossed over my legs. Fuck, my neck and ass ache. Jess scoots in front of me on the floor, her bare legs weaving into the place between my heels and ass, so we're a giant pretzel. I sit taller and rub my eyes. It's still dark outside so I haven’t been here long.
Jess's hands cover my right knee, massaging sweetly before kissing my kneecap and looking at me. "It's not re-injured?"
My fingers graze her damp hair and tuck it behind her ear. "No, nothing a little extra PT can't fix."
She pulls a wavering breath of relief in. "Why are you on the floor?"
"Why didn't you come to the hospital?" I counter.
Lowering her gaze to the floor, she sighs. “Why would you want me there.”
“Why would I…” I nearly laugh. “I’ve been stuck in the ER worried that you were going to run. Worried that you were blaming yourself. Then I realized you might blame me. I went after Sonny, I’m the reason you’re still in Rossview instead of back in College Station. I just wanted to know you were okay.” I cup her face. “I wanted you there so I could reassure you that nothing about tonight was your fault.”
She shakes my hands away. "How much crap can one girl put you through? It was my fault. You and Chase, you two shouldn’t have been pulled into this mess.” Her hands press to her chest as her face falls. “I was so scared for Chase, Carter. I was so… and then you.” She stops to even her breathing.
“I couldn't face you knowing I'm the reason you may be hurt again."
Tears brighten her eyes as my frustration mounts. Untangling my legs from hers, I lay them flat on either side of her hips, getting as close as possible.