Page 102 of Need You To Choose Me

Tears threaten to come out once again. God, I was such a mess. I squeeze my fingers into a fist, my nails digging into myskin to stop the tears from coming. “Thank you, Levi,” I rasp out, cupping his cheek. “You are right, I already feel better.”

If possible, his smile grows even bigger, and a lock of hair falls into his eyes. “See? I told you it helps!”

“It sure does.” Reaching out, I push the lock of hair out of his face. He leans his head into my touch, his smile falling a little.

“You’re really going to be okay?”

“Savannah and the baby had a health scare, buddy, but we’ll take care of her, and she’ll be better in no time,” Blake explains.

The movement over Levi’s shoulder catches my attention, and when I look up, I find Daniel standing in the doorway. He narrows his eyes on my hand, and my fingers itch to pull back. I can still hear the loudslapas he pushed my hand away earlier today, and see those angry eyes zeroed in on me.

But there was no anger on his face now. No, he’s pale, which only makes the bruises on his face stand out more.

He opens his mouth as if he wants to say something, but just then, the nurse appears from behind him, so he lets her through. The next time I look at the door, he’s already gone.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

BLAKE

“Dad?” Levi whispers softly. “Are you taking Sav home?”

Savannah wiggles in my arms before her head settles against my shoulder, still firmly asleep. She must have been exhausted because of everything that had happened, since she crashed before I even managed to get out of the parking lot.

“No, she’ll stay with us tonight.”

There was no fucking way I could leave her in her house all alone. Not after what happened today.

“Like a sleepover?” Levi asks excitedly, holding the door open for me.

“Yes, like a sleepover. Brush your teeth and get into your PJs,” I whisper to the boys as I move further down the hallway. “I’ll come and check in on you in a minute.”

Pushing open the door to my room with my shoulder, I slip inside and walk to my bed. As gently as possible so as not to startle her, I lay her on my bed.

Pulling back, I sit on the mattress next to Savannah and brush her hair out of her face.

She is okay.

Safe and sound in my bed.

She is okay.

Maybe if I repeat it enough times, I’d believe it.

Savannah blinks, and sleepy blue irises meet mine. “Blake?” She looks around, clearly confused. “Where am I?”

“In my bed. You fell asleep.”

“Gosh, I’m so—” she starts to push upright, but I place my hand on her shoulder to keep her in place.

“No, stay here.”

Her lips part in surprise. “Blake I?—”

I knew what she would say, but I couldn’t let her go. It wasn’t rational, this need to make sure that she’s all right, but it was there, and there was nothing I could do to stop it. Today was a clusterfuck of epic proportions, and it made me realize just how fragile this whole thing is. How fragile she is and how quickly I could lose her. Losethem.

“Stay here, and let me take care of you,” I croak out, taking her hand in mine. “Please, Blondie. I’ll go crazy worrying about you. What if you start feeling bad or something happens, and?—”

“Okay,” she whispers, her fingers wrapping around mine. “I’ll stay.”

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