Liam, Thor, and I walked to the door, leaving them no polite option but to leave. Then we collapsed on the couch, snuggling and barely moving or saying a word for the next few hours until it was actually time to go to the pulmonologist. Even the appointment felt easier than the morning had, especially when he said everything looked good and to just continue with the antibiotics and recheck in a week, or if anything changed.
We ordered in pizza and went to bed early, but I woke up with a nightmare. Liam was up with me, of course.
After a while, he asked if I’d be able to fall asleep again. “No, sorry,” I said, knowing he’d stay up, too.
“Good, let’s watch the sunrise.” He helped me dress in a pair of his sweatpants and a huge, warm sweatshirt, grabbed a few blankets, and bundled me into the car.
I guess I fell asleep, because next thing I knew, he gently woke me up. I opened my eyes to a soft orange glow surrounding a tiny crescent of sun on the horizon.
“It’s beautiful,” I whispered.
“Beautiful like you.” He pressed a kiss to my temple and held my hand. We didn’t say anything else as we watched the sunrise paint the sky, but the symbolism of the new day wasn’t lost on me.
CHAPTER FORTY
Liam
“Ready to go to bed?”
Jenna nodded. I hated how quiet she was. I should’ve kicked her parents out the first time they made her cry. Instead, I’d let them come back today, which ended up being as bad as yesterday. I hated that they didn’t come immediately and didn’t stay longer, but also, thank God they didn’t.
“Want to go wash up while I take care of Thor and lock up?”
“Yeah. Thank you.”
She trudged up the stairs like the weight of the world was on her shoulders. Fuck her parents for making her feel like this. She’d been so damn strong until they came. I was going to get my Firefly back, and I was going to protect her from anyone who tried to dim her light. Her family included.
I threw a ball for Thor in the yard and played tug-of-war with him. We both needed to work some frustration out. I’d love to go a few rounds with a punching bag—even though it was apoor substitute for the fuckers I really wanted to pound—but I wouldn’t leave Jenna to do it. Not yet.
While I was out there, I checked in with my parents.
“How’s Jenna? How are you?” my mom asked.
“Not great,” I admitted. “She’s trying, but she’s hurting.”
“And you?”
I sighed. Then I swiped at the tears that I couldn’t stop. “Why the hell did I leave her? I knew he was after her, I fucking knew she was in danger, and I left her.”
“Liam,” my dad said, his voice cracking too. “You didn’t know he was right there. If you’d tried to keep her locked away, it would’ve broken her spirit, and that asshole would still be waiting for his chance. You did the best you could. She’s still here to fight, so let go of your guilt and help her win that fight. What’s done is done. Look forward, for both of you.”
“Thanks, guys, and thank you for being there for Jenna. It means a lot to both of us. Love you.”
“We love you too, sweetheart. Give Jenna our best.”
I found Jenna already in bed, curled up facing the door, the covers up to her chin, looking so fucking sad. I dropped a quick kiss on her forehead, then went to the bathroom and brushed my teeth, trying to stay calm despite the fury burning in my gut.
I stripped down to my boxers and got into bed, my eyes on Jenna as she watched me. I lay on my back, one arm open, and waited for her to scoot closer, but she tugged on my other arm instead, wrapping it around her waist as she rolled away pulling me with her. She pressed her back to my chest, her ass to my crotch. Fuck. I didn’t know whether to be thrilled or terrified. I wrapped my arms around her. Thor circled, then settled in front of her.
“You okay?”
“Yeah,” she managed, heavy with exhaustion. “Wait…no” she said after a beat, an odd note creeping into her voice.
My radar went up, every nerve on edge, but I forced my body to stay relaxed for her.
Jenna rolled to face me, her eyes wide but bright. “No,” she repeated more firmly, her gaze locking onto mine. “I’m not okay. And that’s alright.”
Warmth bloomed in my chest, easing my worry. “It sure is, Firefly.”