Page 57 of Unmasking You

I wait for an answer but there is none. When the silence seems to suffocate me, I stand.

My hand is engulfed by Shane’s, stopping me from leaving.

“Stay. Don’t leave me.”

I’m weak to his request, and I stand there.

Then he pulls me until I’m close to the bed. “Let me have you in my arms just once.”

I pull the sheet back and join him.

He wraps his arms around me as if he never wants to let me go.

Being in his arms calms something inside me, and I relax inside them. I let my thoughts go, and enjoy how my body sings from his touch. My eyes get heavy and I struggle to keep them open, so I don’t fight it. Tomorrow I can blame myself for being weak, but right now nothing can pull me away from him.

I let go.

After a while, and when I’ve almost slipped away into sleep, a light kiss lands on my head and I smile, but I don’t move, my body feeling sluggish and my limbs heavy.

“I know I don’t deserve a second chance, but I promise you, if you give it to me, I’ll love you forever.” Then he pulls me against his chest.

I fall asleep with hope rising inside my heart.

Chapter 20

Shane

Jamie wasn’t in my arms this morning when I woke up, gone like a dream and yet to come back.

I don’t know if he’s gone or if he’s still in his room, because I didn’t have the courage to face him. What I know is that today I have an appointment with the doctor, and if they discharge me, my time with Jamie is done. He won’t have to take care of me any longer, and our unresolved issues will stay unresolved.

Jamie appears at the door, looking as handsome as usual. He’s gotten changed, and he’s wearing jeans instead of the usual loose trousers.

“Do you need a hand to get changed?” he asks, and while I wish for him to touch me, and for him to let me touch him, I don’t want him to feel obliged.

“I can manage.”

“Okay, but call me if you need me.”

“Will do.”

I do my best to get ready quickly, and I’m sweaty when I finally make it out to the living room.

We don’t talk until we reach the car, and then Jamie asks, “Are you happy you’re going home?”

“Sure.” I avoid saying how sad I’m going to be at not seeing him every day, or maybe ever again. Why did he have to ask me that?

I want to ask if I’m ever going to see him again, but I’m not sure I could deal with the answer.

When he stops the car, he doesn’t turn it off.

“Are you not coming?”

“Nope. But I’ll be here when you’re done. Then I’ll drive you to my place so you can pick your stuff, and I’ll drive you home after that if you want.”

Going home is the last thing I want to do, but at the same time I’ve imposed too much already, and since our talk, nothing’s really changed.

What were you expecting? To be forgiven just because you were forced to make the wrong choices.

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