Page 130 of The Prodigal Son

He repeats the sentiment, clutching tightly to my body. Then, I scoot myself over in the bed and he lies down next to me, his head on my shoulder. If I close my eyes, I can pretend we’re not in a hospital and there’s not an IV sticking out of my hand. We’re just in his bed or in a hotel or on his tour bus. Everything is fine.

But everything is not fine, and we both know it.

When a few minutes pass, and I feel ready to speak again, I stroke his head and squeeze him tighter.

“You know I can’t just go back to the way things were, right?”

He winces before he nods. “I know.”

“The damage they did runs deep, and I can’t risk this happening again. I’ll never, ever do this to you again,” I say as my voice grows raspy with pain.

He squeezes me tighter. “I know.”

“I’ll need to go away for a while. I want to be able to fully commit to you. I want to be able to come out without the fear of another spiral. This isn’t something I can just brush off anymore.” When I blink, a tear falls over my cheek, and it feels like a weight is pressing down on my chest.

I hate having to do this to him. I hate asking more of him. It’s not fair. But I know he’ll wait for me. I know he’ll support me every step of the way, but I also need him to understand the most important part.

“While I’m gone, I need you to do something for me.”

He sniffles and warm tears seep through my hospital gown and onto my chest. When he doesn’t respond, I continue.

“I need you to go back on your tour and do what you do best. I need you to focus on you, Isaac. I couldn’t live with myself if I got in the way of your success.”

“Don’t I have a choice in this? It’s my life.”

“You do. Of course you do. But I’m asking you, Isaac. Please. Let me get the help I need so that when I can be with you for good, I’m giving you the man you deserve.”

Turning my head, I gaze down at him with tears in my eyes. He looks up at me as he cries and I press a soft kiss to his lips.

“Will you do that for me?” I whisper.

“Of course I will,” he replies. “I’ll do anything for you.”

Isaac rests his head on my shoulder, and I close my eyes for a few minutes. I’m not as fatigued as I was earlier, but I can still feel the effects of the drugs in my system. It’s a terrifying feeling to know how close I was.

When the door opens and a nurse walks in, she stops in her tracks when she finds a six-foot cowboy in my bed. But with a shrug, she just continues to go about her business, checking my vitals.

“Sorry, ma’am,” Isaac mumbles as he rolls out of my bed.

“That’s okay, sugar,” she says with her sweet Texas drawl. “When I’m done, you give him all the love and cuddles you want. He needs it.” She runs her soft hand over my forehead and it pulls on my heart.

“I plan to,” he replies with a smirk.

“And his daddy didn’t cause that big ol’ fuss for nothing,” she adds as she takes my temperature.

“What are you talking about?” I ask.

Isaac is smirking like a fool next to my bed. “Your dad sort of caused a scene. It was pretty fucking cool.”

“He did?”

“He sure did,” the redheaded nurse replies before walking over to the window to throw open the curtains, revealing the morning sun. “I’ll let you tell him.” She winks at Isaac and I stare at him in amazement. My dad? Cause a scene?

“The psych doc will be back again in just a few to talk to you,” she adds before walking out, leaving us alone. I turn toward Isaac in anticipation of this story.

“One of the ladies up front wouldn’t let me come back to see you before they put you in the room. He came out threatening to file a discrimination lawsuit. She was shaking in her boots. It was incredible.”

He blushes a little as he sits back down at my side. But I can tell there’s some hesitation there too.

---