Page 69 of Shy Girls Can't Date Celebrities
Lexy swats a hand. “They’ll be around soon, hon. Don’t sweat it.”
I move close to Wyatt and scoop his hand. “This couch looks comfy. You wanna just chill for a bit?”
He looks up at me with thankful eyes. “Yeah, yes. Sounds awesome.”
I help him out of the wheelchair and we take it nice and easy,rounding the couch and carefully sitting with good posture. It’s killing me not to snuggle up to him, but I need to be a good influence and keep my back straight. We’re only just out of the hospital, after all.
Every time Erika and Lexy approach with some nonsense they read from their phones, Wyatt frowns, rubs his forehead, and grumbles at them to back up. Finally, they give us breathing room. With comfortable silence, we can gaze out at the rooftop terrace and take in the striking city view.
I’m almost dozy when Randall sheepish sidles up, phone poised and ready.
“So, Josie,” Randall starts and then clears his throat. “I’ve been in touch with your parents. We can either have you on a commercial flight tomorrow, or if we want to charter you a flight home, we need to...”
“What?” Wyatt blurts, grabbing onto my arm.
My mouth falls open and apologies fill my eyes as I watch his shattered expression.
Wyatt’s jaw tenses as the words strain out of him. “You can’t leave.”
I swallow the sickness spiraling inside me. “I know, but...”
“No,” it comes out desperate as his arms pull around me. “No, Josie.”
“My parents...”
“Bring them here,” he’s quick to reply. “The twins too, I don’t care. Look how huge this place is. The whole family can take it. I’d move to a smaller room. Just don’t leave me.”
My eyes well. “Oh, Wyatt.”
“Or, I’ll leave with you.” His grip on me tightens. “I don’t care where I live, as long as it’s in the same place as you.”
“Umm,” Randall pipes up. “Wyatt, you can’t go to Victoria Falls. We need you well rested before we leave for Ferndale in a few days.”
“Ugh, whatever,” he groans. “Just don’t separate us. Josie, please.”
A tear drops to my cheek and rolls down to sit along my jaw. “I don’t want to go.”
He leans in, urgent. “Then don’t.”
“But...”
His eyes widen. “But we can stay together.”
My heart has taken a beating, only giving me energy to plop my head against his shoulder. As his stress-fueled breaths cause his chest to rise and fall, my limp body thumps against him. I creep my arms around him, embracing him because getting words out is near impossible.
“Ah, Josie,” Randall awkwardly says.
Wyatt’s arm tighten around me as he grizzles, “Go away.”
Randall’s footsteps hurry away, and Wyatt’s body eases as much as mine.
Wyatt’s hand smooths over my curls, and a choked moan slips out of him.
I scrunch myself against him, burying my face in the nape of his neck. “I’m sorry.”
He kisses my forehead, stroking my hair. “Don’t be. I g-get where your parents are coming from. But, there h-has to be another option. I-I’m not losing you.”
I kiss his cheek, squeezing my arms by his sides. “I don’t want to go, but they’re scared.”
