Page 42 of The Chad Next Door
“Do you always think this hard?” Chad asks, lifting his head and brushing his thumb between my eyebrows. “I can feel it.” Then he puts his hand on my collarbone, sort of over my heart but closer to my neck. “In here. I wish I could see your heart. It’s probably beautiful, just like you.”
My lips twist in an amused smile. “You took the pain meds the paramedics left you, didn’t you?”
“Maaaybe.” He draws the word out before giving me a sloppy kiss. “I don’t know if they’re kicking in, though.”
“I’m pretty sure they are.” They must have given him something strong with the way his words have a musical lilt to them, and I wonder if they ordered more of it for him and if he’ll be like this all week. I planned to pick up his prescription tomorrow, and now I definitely have to make sure I get it soon. This could be fun. “You’re going to get us in trouble, mister.”
He doesn’t seem to care as he nuzzles in beside me, lips finding my neck. “You’re the most beautiful person I’ve ever known, Hope. I like you lots.”
Hmm, I’m not sure how to feel about his drug-addled brain sticking with “like you lots” instead of something a little more potent. I mean, it’s not like I’ve said the words “I love you” directly to him, but I’ve gotten close. Is it childish of me to want him to say it first? I feel like I’m allowed to be the childish one in this relationship, all things considered.
“I like you lots too, Chad.”
He giggles, which is not a sound Ieverthought would come out of a man like him. “You do?”
“Oh, you are going to be so glad you can’t remember any of this in the morning.”
“How could I forget anything that has to do with you?” He nuzzles his nose into my neck again, words slurring. “You’re the best part of my life, Hope. Everything is dark without you there. Life has…no meaning…”
And suddenly he’s snoring.
Oh boy.
I know I should leave. Swap places with him and take his place on the couch so I can be the responsible adult that I am. But I don’t want to. It’s not like sleeping next to him while we’re both fully clothed is doing anything scandalous, even though sharing a bed with Chad Briggsfeelsscandalous. He’s probably going to be out all night after the traumatic day he’s had and not sleeping at all last night, so it’s not like we’re going to do anything we shouldn’t.
I just want to know what it feels like to spend the night breathing with him. To wake up with him by my side. To know that no matter what dreams may come during the night, he’ll be there to keep me safe. Because that’s what Chad is.
He’s safe.
That’s all I’ve ever wanted.
Chapter Eighteen
Hope
October 21
As it turns out, wakingup next to a guy you’re in love with is pretty great. Even if he snores. The sound was almost comforting, and let me tell you, that is not something I’ve ever thought I’d say. There’s also a chance that I have never slept as soundly as I did last night, and I wake up feeling completely refreshed and ready to welcome a new day.
When I open my eyes, I realize the same is not true for Chad. He’s staring at me, barely breathing, and looking horrified, like he knows he’s done something really bad and doesn’t know if he’s going to get in trouble yet or not.
It’s adorable.
“Hi,” I say, doing my best not to smile.
He blinks, his eyes trailing along his arm which is still draped over my waist. I don’t think either of us moved during the night, which is impressive. “Um.”
“It’s not your fault, Chad. I should have left.”
“That doesn’t explain what I’m doing on the bed in the first place.”
Does he really not remember? I can only imagine how it feels to be on the couch one moment and waking up in a completely different room the next. It happens to kids all the time, but to a grown adult? “Just how strong were those pain pills?” I ask, my voice wobbling.
He narrows his eyes. “You’re about to laugh right now, aren’t you?”
I lose it, sinking into a fit of laughter that has me curling into his chest as if that might stop the tidal wave of amusement spilling over me. “Sorry,” I choke. “I don’t know why it’s so funny.”
“Why do I get the feeling you’re going to tell me I said all sorts of ridiculous things last night?” he grumbles, sitting up with some difficulty as he tries to avoid knocking his injured foot around. He ultimately fails, hissing and groaning until he finally gets his legs over the side of the bed. “I had no idea a bear trap could be so painful, but now I remember why I don’t like taking pain meds if I don’t have to.”
