Page 35 of Light

"We're going to have to work through." He corrects me.

"Light, you know we're not your responsibility right?"

He presses his forehead to mine, just for a second, just long enough that I feel the heat of him soak into my skin.

"I know," he murmurs. "But I want to be."

The tenderness in his voice nearly undoes me again. I shake my head and step back, needing the space even though every part of me wants to stay wrapped up in him.

"You don't understand," I whisper, my voice cracking. "At the doctor's office... they told me my insurance ran out months ago. That I owe over four grand already. That every visit now is just more debt stacking up."

Light frowns, his hands dropping to his sides, clenched tight.

"Four thousand? Shit."

I laugh a little, a bitter sound that feels foreign in my throat. "Yeah. And that's just the beginning. I can't get another job without leaving Tyler alone. I can't hire a healthcare worker to help with him. And I can't afford to stop taking him to his doctors either. There is no extra money. None."

The kitchen feels smaller with every word that comes out of my mouth. The walls press in. The air feels thinner.

"I am stuck," I say, hugging myself tight. "I am stuck and there is no way out."

Light steps closer again, slow like he is approaching a wounded animal. He gently tugs my arms away from my body and pulls me into him again.

"I'll help any way I can, Mel," he says, low and sure. "I mean it. Whatever you need."

My throat closes up again, but I shake my head against his chest. "I don't want to drag you into this. I can't even take care of myself."

"You are taking care of him. Every damn day. Don't ever say you're not." His voice rumbles against my ear. "You are doing everything. You just need someone in your corner too. Let me be that, okay?"

I look up at him, and something shifts between us.

The way he is holding me.

The way he is looking at me.

Like I am not broken. Like I am something precious.

Slowly, Light lowers his head. His forehead brushes mine again. His hand cups the side of my face, his thumb brushing away the last of my tears.

The air between us grows heavy, electric. My heart hammers so hard I am sure he can feel it.

His lips are so close to mine that I can taste the heat of him.

I tilt up just the slightest bit, helpless against it, craving something real, something safe, something that feels like hope.

I see his mouth part, ready to meet mine.

And then?—

"Mom! Light! Look!"

We spring apart like guilty teenagers, hearts pounding.

Tyler stands in the kitchen doorway, beaming, holding up a crumpled, grease-stained napkin with a doodle of some video game character drawn on it.

"I drew this while you guys were talking! Isn't it awesome?"

I plaster on a shaky smile and nod. "It's amazing, baby."

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