Page 47 of Choosing Skyler

She releases me only to scoot over to the far side of the bed, pushing a button to lower the back of it so that she’s laying down instead of sitting up. Then, she reaches out to grip the front of my t-shit and pull me toward her.

I don’t resist in the slightest. I climb up onto her bed and stretch out beside her. She turns on her side so that we’re facing each other. Then, she runs her fingers through my hair again and pulls me back into her kiss. I kiss her softly, pouring all the love I have for her into it.

After a few minutes she pulls back, looking content but exhausted. I settle down and reach my arm under her head to pull her to me. She rests her head on my chest, curling into my side and wrapping herself around me. I hold her as her breathing evens out and I’m sure she’s asleep before I close my own eyes and doze off.

I wake with a start when I hear a gasp from the doorway. I open my eyes to see Julie coming in to check on Skyler. I look at the clock and see that it’s eight o’clock. Julie comes to my side of the bed and grins down at Skyler.

“Sorry I startled you. I wasn’t expecting two patients in the bed.” She laughs softly, raising a brow at me.

I shrug. “She needed me,” I state, plainly.

I don’t have an ounce of regret. Julie can like it or not, but I’m not moving from this bed unless Skyler makes me.

“Well, it’s good to see that her trauma hasn’t stopped her from accepting physical affection. That happens more often than not, and it makes the mental healing so much more painful. This is a good thing, Brady. Keep doing whatever you’re doing, and she’ll get through this.” She smiles.

I smile back. “Thank you,” I tell her, not knowing what else to say.

“I just came in to check on her and run any extra visitors out, but I see you made my job easy.” She chuckles, leaning over me to examine Skyler’s neck. “Her bruising is probably at its worst right now. It should start fading soon. I’m glad she’s resting. They will be taking her for updated scans tomorrow.”

“I’ll be here, and Devon will be back at seven. I’ll let him know,” I tell her.

She sighs. “I won’t be back into work until Thursday, but if it’s okay with you all I would like to stop in and check on her as a friend.” When I raise my brows in confusion, she explains, “I grew up with Tracey’s family. I lived on the property next to her big cabin. I graduated from Thorngrove with my nursing degree two years ago, but we’ve all hung out at TG’s and I always attend Tracey’s wild parties. Skyler and I aren’t as close as her and Tracey, but I’d like her to know that she has more support than she thinks she has,” she says sincerely.

“That sounds great. She’s going to need all the support she can get,” I say honestly.

“You did a number on Dirk from what I’m told. I’m glad. He’s needed someone to put him in his place for far too long.” She looks wary before continuing. “I’m not supposed to tell you this since it violates HIPPA laws, but Dirk is scheduled for surgery tomorrow morning to put rods and pins in his arm. After recovery he’ll be transferred to jail. I’m sure his bail hearing will be set for later this week.”

I sigh heavily. “From what I gather, his family is well connected in town. If he gets bail, this is going to be a nightmare.”

“That’s true,” she says before nodding. “But from what I hear, her best friend’s father is some hot shot attorney in Virginia with an office in New York. Maybe he’d be willing to help?”

I raise my brows, surprised that she knows about Devon’s dad, Timothy. He doesn’t talk about him since they don’t get along.

She answers my silent question. “I overheard him talking to Tracey and Chelsea earlier in the hall. He told them about his dad and said that he was going to call him.”

I nod in understanding. Of course, he would reach out to help Skyler. Though, I don’t know if Timothy will be willing to help a girl he’s never even met. I guess we’ll see.

“I have to go check on my other patients,” Julie says. “Get some rest while she does. I’ll be back in at ten.”

I try to go back to sleep after she leaves, but my mind won’t let me. So, I grab my phone and text Devon.

Me: You up?

I wait for the three dots indicating that he’s replying before dialing his number. He answers on the first ring. “Hey, man. I was texting you back.”

“I know. I didn’t want to wake you up if you were sleeping,” I explain.

“Is Sky okay?” he asks.

“Yeah, she’s sleeping. I just wanted to tell you about the conversation I just had with Julie. I didn’t realize she was a friend and not just a nurse. I’d have been nicer to her,” I tell him, feeling a little shitty for the way I’ve treated her.

Devon laughs. “No, you wouldn’t have. You were protecting Skyler and what she needed. It wouldn’t have mattered, and Julie is a professional as much as a friend. She understands.”

“Yeah, maybe. Anyways, she said that Skyler is due for more scans tomorrow. More important than that, she told me that Dirk is scheduled for surgery in the morning and should be transferred to the jail tomorrow afternoon. He’ll have a bail hearing later this week.” I wait for his answer to see if he’ll offer the information about Timothy without me dragging it out of him.

He doesn’t leave me hanging. “We knew that was coming eventually. Listen, I didn’t mention this to you or Skyler because I didn’t know how it would turn out, but I called Timothy when I got home this afternoon.”

“You did? What did he say?” I ask, trying not to get my hopes up.

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