Page 24 of Heatwaves

“Okay, honey. I’m going to put you down now so you can get in the car.” Dad’s voice is so soft and calm, making more tears well up in my eyes. “Do you think you can do that?”

I nod, my throat too thick with sobs to speak. When he sets me down, I wobble slightly but manage to stay on my feet.

Dad helps me into the car, making sure my seat belt is secure, before hurrying around and climbing into the driver’s seat. “Do you want me to take you home?”

Another nod.

“Our house?”

A sharp shake of my head is the only answer he’ll get as I curl in on myself.

“Your house it is. Once we get there, I’ll text your mom and Miguel to let them know where we are.” Dad sighs when I don’t answer.

Luckily, it’s not a long drive to my house.

I fumble with my seat belt, unable to get my hands to work correctly. A cry of frustration leaves me as anger rushes through me.

“Hold on. I’ve got it.” Dad unhooks me before jumping out of the car and coming around to my side. I don’t bother attempting to open the door.

When he scoops me into his arms, I want to tell him I can walk, but I don’t actually think I can. Instead, I rest my head against his chest and breathe in his familiar scent.

My tears have slowed, my sobs quieting, but it still feels like someone reached into my chest and ripped my heart clean out.

Dad has to set me down to get the keys from me and unlock the house before he grasps my arm and leads me inside to my bedroom. He pulls back the covers and tucks me in like he used to do when I was a kid, leaning forward to kiss my forehead before settling onto the bed beside me.

“Is there anything I can do, honey? Anything at all? Name it, and I’ll do everything I can to make sure you have it.”

I shake my head, pulling the covers over my head. I lean into his warmth that I can feel even through the blanket.

“Okay. I’ll just leave you—“

My arm shoots out from under the covers, clinging to him. “No. Stay. Please.”

“Okay, honey. I’ll stay right here. I’m just going to text your mom and Miguel.”

There’s a bit of a shuffle as he grabs his phone from his back pocket and begins to hum. Ittakes me a few moments to recognize the song, but once I do, I smile. It’s a song Mom used to sing to me when I was younger—especially when I wasn’t feeling well or if I had a bad day.

Dad’s a terrible singer, so I’m glad he doesn’t try, but he does a good job with humming the tune.

When my eyes grow heavy, I don’t fight the pull of sleep. At least when I’m asleep, I won’t have to think about them. It’ll be a nice reprieve.

It’s three days before I can finally pull myself out of my bed.

My parents stayed with me for the first two, but then Mom’s heat hit, and I had to kick them out.

The only communication I’ve had with the outside world was a text message I sent to Chloe on Sunday to apologize and let her know I wouldn’t be able to make it in to finish up the last bit of training. She was amazing and said not to worry about it. That she’d be fine with the support system I have in place for her. I’m definitely glad I hired her. She’s going to be a great addition to the company.

I would remain in bed longer if I could, but when I woke up this morning, my heat symptoms started. My heat is coming, and I have no one to help me through it. Over the last tenyears, I’ve done one heat solo, and it’s something I’d rather not repeat.

I need to get on Heat Assist and see if there’s anyone still available, which is unlikely considering heats have already begun, but I need to take a shower before I do anything else.

Climbing from the bed, I shed my clothes as I head for my ensuite. I’m naked before I even hit the bathroom. Heading straight for the shower, I flick it on before using the bathroom and then moving over to brush my teeth.

My mouth feels disgusting after not brushing them in days. By the time I finish, steam is billowing from the large shower. Stepping inside, I sigh as the water hits my skin, washing away days of dirt and tension. My mind begins to wander as I wash my hair, going straight to the four men who burst back into my life.

Nope.

I force my mind away from them as my heart clenches in my chest, a fresh wave of tears threatening to overwhelm me.

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