Page 138 of Almost Rotten

I raid Atty’s drawers and find a huge T-shirt to sleep in, then cast a wary glance toward his side of the room. I should have made him change his sheets before he abandoned me here for the night.

I’m rifling through the closet, searching for an extra set, when Tytus groans.

Wincing, I turn. He’s awake, somehow, and he’s trying to sit up.

“Hey,” I soothe from across the room. “Lay back down. What do you need?”

“Please,” he whispers hoarsely.

I rush to his side. “What do you need?”

His face is ashen, his whole body trembling. I don’t know whether he’s just hurting or whether something is truly wrong.

I place the back of my hand to his forehead, but it’s cool. No fever.

Eyes closed, he leans in, like he can sense me. Or like he’s going to get up.

“Ty, no.” I gently cup his shoulder. “Please lay down. I’ll bring you whatever you need.”

“Just you,” he murmurs, lashes fluttering.

“Me?”

Tear-filled dark brown eyes meet mine, and with the slightest nod, he licks his lips. “Just you, mon ange. You’re all I need.”

“Ty—”

“Will you lay with me?” he croaks. “Please?”

Sighing, I circle back to the door, confirming it’s locked, and turn off the lights.

For as long as Ty and I have been doing whatever it is we’ve been doing, I’ve never once lain in his bed.

Yet here I am, once again giving in. Keeping my movements slow and controlled, I crawl over his body and settle on the empty side of the mattress.

I should have known it wouldn’t be enough. With a painful groan, he hooks an arm around me and pulls me closer.

If he wasn’t already in agony, I would smack him.

“What the hell are you doing?” I scold even as my body inches closer.

I do it to ensure he doesn’t hurt himself even more, that’s all.

“Need you.” He pants, like he’s catching his breath.

Popping up on one elbow, I take him in.

He looks so young like this. Young and stupid for trying to downplay the extent of his injuries.

“I’m here,” I assure him. “Will you at least take a pain pill?”

He shakes his head sharply, then winces.

God, he’s a mess. He can’t play like this. He can’t even move without groaning. With pain this intense, I can’t imagine he’ll get much sleep.

But he needs it. We both do.

“Please?” I beg. “I’m here. I’ll wake you up if the nightmares creep in.”