Page 36 of Unbreakable
“I’m afraid to move on. I’m afraid if I’m not sad, it didn’t mean anything. We changed everything for this. We’re married now.”
“I wanted to marry you, Jeanine. No matter what. And now that we’re married, I hope you know that I’m in this with you. I’m not going anywhere. I will always have your back, Jeanine. It’s you and me against the world.”
There came a point where I had to leave her side. I couldn’t stay out of play any longer, having already been off three weeks when you counted the All-Star break. I was terrified, afraid I’d come home to no wife. I called Chappy because his girlfriendRachel was a nurse. I wondered if she’d have any advice to get Jeanine through this awful time.
Her determined voice piped in from the background. “What time does he leave for the airport tomorrow?”
Rachel showed up at our door the next morning with a stuffed-full bag and open arms. She stayed with her all four days we were gone. She got Jeanine up and made her take walks by the ocean. She let her cry. She found her a grief support group. She got her to eat more than I ever could—she cited nurse magic on that one. She even slept in my spot so Jeannie was never alone.
She hardly knew Jeannie, but she stepped right in. Whether it was trauma bonding or simply meant to be, they became best friends from that moment on.
When I came home, Jeanine was different. Her skin was no longer sallow, her hair was clean, and she’d changed our sheets. Our apartment smelled like fresh air. For the first time since her stomach started hurting at the resort, Jeanine smiled.
I hugged her close, peppering her neck with kisses. She held my cheeks and gave me a big smooch. “I’m still sad, but I think I’m going to make it.”
“We’re going to make it.” I pulled her tight again and whispered in her ear, “You and me against the world, baby.”
“You and me.”
SIXTEEN
JEANINE
NOW | NOVEMBER
Do you ever want to stab Chappy
FBI agent, there’s no way I could kill my giant husband
Rachel
Of course, all the time
Also FBI agent, see above. Same for me.
Dylan wokeme with a soft touch to my arm, dragging his fingertips over my skin. My eyes blinked open to find him lying on his side, watching me.
“Morning, beautiful.”
“Morning.”
“How’s the hand?”
I held it up. “Throbbing, but not bleeding.”
He flexed his biceps. “I used all my big strength to glue you back together.”
I gave a hoarse laugh. “Watch out, ladies. He’s good with glue.”
Dylan put a sloppy kiss on the side of my neck. “I’m good at some other things too.”
He braced himself on top of me, putting more kisses down my chest. “Is this your way of saying sorry?” I asked.
“Hmm?” He was using his teeth to peel up my satin nightgown. Teasing licks and nibbles covered my belly. I arched up, his mouth inching closer to where I wanted him. He tugged at the sides of my underwear until I lifted my bottom to help him remove them. “That’s my girl.”
A series of torturous kisses went all around my pussy, blood rushing to the area. “Please, Dyl.”
He chuckled, then his hands hooked on the tops of my thighs and his tongue sank into me. I rolled my hips, taking in the pleasure of his intricate work. I moaned as he drew a long suck, followed by flicking with his tongue.
