Page 135 of Unbreakable
“How do you do all this shit all the time?” I asked.
She shrugged, puffing out a laugh. “I just do it.”
“I bet you’re exhausted,” I said.
She shook her head. “All day. Every day.”
I sat up and leaned toward her. “I am so sorry that I’m just seeing it now. I really don’t give you enough credit for everything you do.”
“Thank you.”
“I should be thanking you,” I said, reaching to lace our fingers together. “And I’m serious. Since I’m just doing my PT,if you want me to hire you some help, just say the word. I’ll interview the people for you. I want you to be able to focus on your health. And to do something fun for you.”
Jeanine nodded. “I appreciate that. I’ll think about it.”
“And Jeannie . . .” I popped my jaw forward, my face getting hot.
“Yeah?”
“Thank you. For taking care of me. For helping me get back to the game. You could have chosen to go home, but the fact that you’re willing to stay after everything . . .” I sucked a breath through my nose, wiping under my eye. “Jeannie, I just love you so much.”
“Aw, Dyl,” she said, sticking her lower lip out. “You’re going to makemecry.”
“Can you come hug me, please?”
She beamed, carefully arranging herself until she rested on top of me.
“Thanks for not leaving me,” I whispered, sniffling. “I don’t deserve you, baby.”
She snorted, kissing under my jaw. “You absolutely do. Promise. I’m lucky to have you.”
I squeezed her so hard, overwhelmed by how much Jeanine did for me, for our family every day—but especially now that I was injured.
I kissed her neck, murmuring into her skin. “Did you sign up for your ice dancing stuff yet?”
“Not yet,” she said.
“Go do it now!” I urged her, giving her butt a playful slap.
“Let me rest, for fuck’s sake!” she snapped, only half-mad. “I run all day for you and now you’re like ‘Do this, do that.’Youfucking do it, Dylan!”
I chuckled. I loved being able to fire her up. “Don’t tell me that! I fucking will!”
“You won’t,” she dared.
“Don’t threaten me with a good time,” I said. “I’ll have all your outfits ordered by morning and have your instructor waiting at 8 a.m. Monday.”
“I’ll believe it when I see it.”
FIFTY-ONE
JEANINE
NOW | FEBRUARY
RACHEL
How’s the patient?
