Wood (A True Lover's Story #2) - A.E. Via Page 0,63

tired breath, but his smile was genuine. “Yeah, babe. Thanks, a lot. Some of this stuff in here I’m gonna have to ask Edison how to cook.”

“Maybe you and Wood can make something together.” She hummed, hugging him tighter.

Trent turned in her arms and gripped the bulky fabric of her winter parka, hugging her to him. “What am I gonna do with you, woman?” he whispered.

“Just love me.” She smiled.

“I already do.” Trent released her and leaned his ass against the table, feeling a wave of fatigue hit him. “You want some coffee?”

She jerked her head back in obvious surprise. “You hate coffee.”

“I know, but Wood drinks it, so I can make a pot if you want.” Trent shrugged, unable to stop his eyes from drifting down the hall to Wood’s bedroom door.

Summer’s cold fingertips gripped his chin and turned his head to face her. “How are you doing, little brother? Honestly.”

Trent shook his head sadly. “I’ve been better. But I owe you for covering for me. Really. I’ll be back to work soon, I promise.”

“Hey, I don’t give a damn about that ritzy hotel. I’m talking about you… and Wood.” Summer glanced behind her. “Is he okay?”

“Yeah.” Trent huffed. “He is now.”

Summer nodded, staring at him curiously. A few seconds passed before she stated, “There’s enough soup in there for a week, okay. And some other snacks that I know you like.”

“I see. Thanks, Summer.”

“All right, I wish I could stay and talk with you a while, I do. But I have to get to the site now,” she said, already walking toward the front door.

Trent glanced at his watch. She had a twenty-minute drive to get downtown, longer if she hit the morning rush-hour traffic. “Drive careful. Call me at lunch.”

“You know I will,” she said and kissed him on his cheek. She jogged down the walkway to her black Pathfinder, and he shivered in the early cold as he watched her safely back out and pull away.

Trent felt like he was in zombie mode as he put away their groceries and stiff-walked to his bedroom. He didn’t bother putting on another record; he had just enough energy to open his arms and dive face-first into the mattress.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Wood

Wood woke from a fitful sleep but feeling a lot better than he had the first time he’d come to. Only he didn’t see Trent anywhere. He was positive he hadn’t made all that up in his mind—the man had been there, touching his face and bathing his chest. That bluesy music, luring him into a peaceful slumber. It’d felt so good, and Wood had wanted to tell Trent that, but he’d struggled to speak. His mouth felt dryer than the Mohave, and his throat threatened to fracture each time he swallowed. Trent! His mind sought him out whether Wood spoke the words aloud or not. As if Wood needed him. Trent! No. What he needed to do was get his ass off that hard floor and pull himself together. He was done acting helpless.

Wood turned over, pain flaring in his stomach. He had to breathe through the surges of nausea as he worked his way to the side, scooting until his back was propped against the front of his dresser. The small distance had him sweating and breathing hard as if he’d just completed fifty push-ups. Wood had never felt like this in his life. Hit with the kind of pain that attacked him everywhere, the kind that shut down the limbs and senses. Wood shook his head, still unable to fathom what had truly happened the other day. He’d lost his family, his life’s work, his redemption, and his sobriety all within hours. Never once had it dawned on him when he walked out of that prison seven months ago that he’d fail so miserably. That he’d fall so low.

Wood reached up and gripped the top edge of the heavy dresser. One thing was for damn sure… he was getting the hell up. He grunted and strained as he got to his feet, his legs feeling as if they were no longer able to support him. He had to stand there a moment to gain his balance and work through the dizziness. Wood took a step toward the bed but had to hurry and catch himself, knocking over some of his toiletries in the process. It wasn’t five seconds later Trent exploded into his room, skidding to a halt on the pile of blankets when he saw Wood