Page 39 of Without You
“Thank you.” He stood slowly, carefully. As he approached, Charisse noted his red eyes. He looked like he hadn’t slept in days.
She followed him out the door. He walked slowly and appeared a bit unsteady on his feet.
“I guess Bo called you?” he said when they were outside the precinct.
“Yes.”
“Thanks for coming, but he shouldn’t have done that.”
“He did what he always does. He had your back.”
In the car, Terrence closed his eyes and turned his head away from her toward the window. They didn’t speak the entire time they rode to his condo. She pulled into the underground parking garage and into his space.
“Where are the kids?” he asked.
“At home with Ennis. Where’s your car?”
“Towed. I’ll pick it up tomorrow.”
“Do you need anything?”
“No. Thanks for the lift.” He opened the door and stumbled out.
Charisse hopped out of the car and stood uncertainly for a bit, not sure whether to go or make sure he actually made his way up to his condo and into bed. She chose the latter. A few more minutes wouldn’t hurt. She followed him to the elevator.
Terrence pushed the button and didn’t look at her as she came up beside him. “I’ll be fine, Charisse.”
“I’m sure you will be, but I’m coming up anyway.”
They remained silent in the cabin, and when Terrence fumbled with the keycards at the door, she took them from him, found the correct one, and let them in.
“You can go now. I’ll be fine.”
He tripped over his own feet and she rushed to him. She caught his arm and supported him before he fell. “You’re not fine,” she said.
He glanced at her and a pained expression came over his face before he looked away again.
She put his arm around her neck and walked with him down the hall, supporting his big body as best she could, which wasn’t easy.
In the bedroom, he flopped onto the mattress, fully clothed, shoes and all.
He heaved a heavy sigh and closed his eyes.
“Are you sure you don’t need anything?” Charisse asked. She was worried about him. What if he threw up and drowned in his own vomit or something? She would never forgive herself.
Terrence mumbled something unintelligible into the pillow.
“What did you say?” Charisse leaned over the bed and angled her ear to his mouth.
He grasped her wrist and she gasped at the sudden movement.
They were eye to eye, faces only inches apart.
“Don’t go.”
She turned her fingers into a fist, ready to jerk away. “I can’t stay. I have to go back and see about the kids.”
“They’ll be fine. Ennis will make sure they’re okay. He’s old enough to watch out for his brother and sister. The house won’t burn down. Call and let him know where you are. Keep your phone on, and lay down with me. I promise I won’t try anything. I feel like shit right now, and I…” He swallowed. “You can leave when I fall asleep. I just want to hold you for a little bit.”
