Page 46 of Choosing Skyler

“I think that would be okay. I’ll check with the doctor to be sure, but if he doesn’t have a problem with it, I’ll make sure the cafeteria delivers it in the morning. For now, enjoy your dinner,” she says before leaving.

I push the tray away when I finish the meek dinner and lean back to pat my full belly, causing everyone to laugh at my theatrics.

“If you’re okay, we’re going to head to the shop to help close up and settle the books,” Chelsea tells me.

I nod and reach out to hug her goodnight.

Tracey comes to my bedside, and I hug her too, holding her a little tighter.

“I’ll see you tomorrow. I love you,” she says, kissing my cheek.

I throw up the ASL sign for I love you and she smiles, tossing it back at me. We both took ASL freshman year and now I wish I’d retained more from the class. I never knew I would actually need it.

As they’re walking out the door, I look at Devon pointedly and glance at the door silently ordering him to go with Tracey. I’ve held them back for long enough.

He nods. “If you guys are okay for the night, I’m going to walk them down and head home. I’m beat,” he says.

I nod, smiling. He hugs me and kisses my cheek, whispering in my ear. “Thank you. I love you, Sweets.” He stands and hugs Brady. “Call if you need me.”

“We will, man. See you in the morning,” Brady tells him.

Devon runs out the door to catch up with Tracey and Chelsea.

Brady

Once everyone leaves, Skyler leans back against her pillow and closes her eyes. She looks exhausted, even after the nap she had earlier. She sighs and raises her head to look at me. She reaches her hand out to lace our fingers together.

“Rest. I’m right here,” I tell her. As much as it will kill me, I’ll go too if that’s what she needs. “Or I can go if you need me to.”

She jolts upright, shaking her head vehemently. Then, wincing at the movement.

“Whoa, Beautiful. Never mind. I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere. Do you need pain medicine? I saw you wince,” I tell her when she looks like she’s going to deny it.

She starts to shake her head again, but then she stops and nods slightly. I grab the remote and press the call button.

I run my thumb over the back of Skyler’s hand. “I’ve got you, Beautiful. You need to run everyone out if it’s too much for you or ask for medication when you need it. They will understand,” I tell her.

She sighs and nods. She’s trying so hard to be strong, but she doesn’t realize that she’s already the strongest person any of us has ever known.

Julie comes in holding up a syringe. “Just Tylenol?” she asks and Skyler nods. “Okay. Just call if you need anything else,” Julie says before leaving.

I reach up and gently cup the side of her face. She opens her eyes and looks at me with that starry eyed look she only gets with me. I hold up my other hand, showing my thumb, forefinger, and pinky. The ASL sign for I love you.

Her smile grows and she gives me back the same sign before leaning forward to kiss me. I get lost in her kiss, pushing my tongue between her lips before I realize what I’m doing and pull back. Skyler’s eyes drop and she chews on her bottom lip. I raise her face with a finger under her chin.

“What’s wrong, Beautiful?” I ask, but her face says it all.

She thinks I don’twantto kiss her. She’s afraid that what happened somehow changed howIfeel. I’ll set that shit straight right now. I lean into her and kiss her like I’m dying to. Because I am. I’ve just been trying not to push her after what she’s been through. But I’ll be damned if she thinks I don’t want her just as much as I have since the moment we met.

She gasps, opening up for me and I’m right there for it. I dive in, devouring her mouth like I’ve been aching to for days. She reaches up to run her fingers through my hair and scratch the back of my scalp and I groan, deepening the kiss.

She tightens her grip in my hair, kissing me like I have the air she needs to breathe, and I return the kiss just as desperately. She moves her hands under my arms and tugs against the back of my shoulder blades to pull me closer.

“You’re going to get us in trouble.” I chuckle against her mouth.

She shakes her head and pulls harder, looking at me with urgency.

“Okay. I’ve got you. Whatcha need, Beautiful?” I ask her playfully.

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