Page 49 of Heart Strain

19

Holden

Itouch my lips as the memory of Jameson’s kiss makes them tingle. The way he looked at me yesterday, the way he claimed my mouth, it’s seared into my memory and I can’t stop thinking about it. When he kissed me, I wanted him to devour me like he did that unforgettable night, and all sane thoughts had flown out the window. I’d been ten seconds from begging him to fuck me again. I was grateful he came to his senses and broke the kiss. Okay, maybe I was a little—no, a lot—disappointed when he did, but I knew I shouldn’t be. I shouldn’t go there again. No matter how badly I want to.

“Holds?”

I snap my gaze over to Drix, who’s sitting up in his bed looking at me like I’ve lost my mind… maybe I have. “I’m sorry, what did you say?”

He sighs. “Did you hear anything I said?”

Cringing internally, I shrug because I honestly have no idea what he was talking about.

“What were you thinking about so deeply?”

“N-nothing!” I chirp. No way in hell am I telling him that I’m over here obsessing over Jameson kissing me. I can feel my face flame, but at least Jameson’s out at his therapy appointment right now so he can’t see me. If he was here, he’d probably know exactly what I’m thinking about.

Drix squints his eyes at me like he’s trying to figure me out, so I distract him by asking, “What were you talking about?”

Drix groans and falls back on his pillow. “I was trying to tell you about the damn rehab facility they’re making me go to.”

“I helped pick the place out with you, so I already know about it.”

He narrows his eyes at me. “You really think I need to be in a live-in place?”

“If you want to get better, then yes.”

He rubs his eyes with his palms. “I just want to go home.”

“I know you do, but this place is going to help you. You’ll be home before you know it.”

He waves me away. “Did you hear anything back about that job?”

“I have an interview next week. They don’t need anyone for a few weeks since the one doctor isn’t retiring until next month, so there’s no rush.”

“You’re really staying?” That’s at least the tenth time he’s asked me that since I told him, and every time, it makes me feel guilty. It’s like he’s scared I’m going to leave him again, and I hate that I’ve made him feel that way.

“Yes. I promise I’m staying.”

He nods at me, then looks at the ceiling. “Then I guess you and Jameson need to figure out whatever the fuck it is that’s going on between you guys.”

“Wh-what?”

He shoots me a smirk. “Did you really think you could hide how often you check him out?”

My cheeks flame and I whisper, “I’m sorry.”

Drix laughs a little. “What’re you saying sorry for? You like him; he likes you. I don’t understand why you’re both being so weird about it.”

“Um… you honestly wouldn’t care if I was with your partner?”

“Why would I?”

I shrug. “Because I’m your brother and you work with him. I thought you’d be weirded out.”

“If my two best friends want to see each other, I think it’d be pretty awesome.”

My eyebrows rise on my forehead. “Really?”

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