Page 37 of Until You Found Me

Embarrassment and regret at being such a burden prevent him from indulging in that safety. He rolls away from her, denying himself the comfort he craves. “Sorry you found me like that.”

“Don’t be. I’m just glad you called.”

“You can leave me next time. I always make it through.”

There’s a vague recollection of her pressing tiny pieces of candy to his lips and feeding him peanut butter on her fingers. How can she ever look at him the same after that?

“Leave you there? That’s not gonna happen,” Tessa replies, her incredulous tone cutting through his stupor. “You wouldn’t have left me on the road.”

“Not the same thing. Only did what anyone would have done for you, but it’s not your job to tend to me like I’m some sick child. I know it’s a hassle. I know it’s too much.”

At first, he’s reluctant to look at her and find disgust, but curiosity gets the better of him and he flits his stare in her direction, seeing only confusion and then a softening of her expression that catches him by surprise.

“Whoever said that was wrong. You’re not a hassle,” she tells him, covering his hand with her own. “Lemme get you some water.”

She’s off the bed in an instant, and returns from the kitchen with water and snacks to feed the sugar monster in his blood. His own personal nurse that he hasn’t earned and feels guilty for accepting.

He palms his head with a wince and takes the water,downing half a glass with a curt thank you that comes out icier than he intended. He isn’t mad at her, how could he be, but it sure sounds that way when he speaks. The shakes have him shivering in a choke hold. He barely got the liquid in his mouth without spilling it and his emotions run in all directions, eager to push away the only person in his corner so she can’t witness him falling apart.

“This isn’t all the time.” He looks down at his legs, picking at the seam of his pants. “I’m usually on top of it. You won’t have to deal with it again, I swear.”

“Logan, it’s okay—”

“And I didn’t mean to lay on you like that. Wasn’t try to…didn’t…wasn’t awake.”

Her hand covers his again, one delicate thumb fluttering over the pulsing veins where his blood pumps at twice the stressed pace. “I wasn’t bothered. Not by any of it, well that’s not really true.”

“Yeah, like I said, I’m sorry.”

“I only mean that I was worried. I still am. Is the shaking normal? Does it happen every time?”

He nods. “It’ll go away soon.”

‘Sickly little fucker.’His father used to say.‘More trouble than you’re worth.’

‘I can’t be expected to do this. I’m not your mother.’Lydia would tell him.

“How long have I been out?”

“Couple hours.”

“Did I wake you up?”

She shakes her head. “No, I hardly sleep anyway. I got some while you did and I feel good now. Rested. Do you?”

“Rested isn’t the word I’d go with. Not until this headacheis gone.”

“You want some Tylenol?” She gets up as if to grab it for him. “I saw a bottle in the kitchen drawer.”

He catches her wrist, questioning the action the moment it happens. By then it’s already done and she’s sunk back down onto the mattress. “I can get it. I know you’re not my nurse. You probably wanna get back, anyway. I’m good, I promise.”

After all the drama he caused, she must be ready for some space without him in it.

A slow, careful smile spreads across her lips as she tilts her head toward the window. “Look, it’s snowing. Better to wait out the storm here, don’t you think?”

There’s only a thin layer on the ground, but her sly tone begs him to play along as if it’s a white-out.

“That’s a dangerous amount of snow,” he says evenly, gathering hope that her offer isn’t born of pity.

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