Page 34 of Evergreen Desires (Wildheart Chronicles #1)
BEAU
Waking up in the hospital was a jarring experience.
I blinked, trying to clear my vision, and the first thing I saw was Jake, his head resting on the edge of my bed.
That sight alone melted my heart and filled me with relief—he had made it out alive.
The only visible injury was a bruise forming on his right cheek.
As we drove home that morning, between Will and Jake, they explained everything that had transpired: the greenhouse fire, the rescue, and the hospital stay.
I was stunned to learn there were people who had understood my unique medical needs and that my dad had the connections to help.
I would need to dive into that quagmire soon enough.
I had ended my relationship with Jake, believing it was for his own safety. The same night I did this, he nearly got killed. My life had become too dangerous to involve anyone else, especially him. I couldn't live with myself if anything happened to Jake because of me.
I owed my dad a call based on what Will had relayed to me.
Will telling him about Jake only complicated matters further.
Now I had to explain that I was letting Jake go.
Will had already called him to let him know I was home and recovering, buying me a little more time before I had to make that call.
When I finally do muster the nerve to reach out to my dad, I knew I needed to learn more about this network of people who knew more about our kind than I could have ever imagined.
It had always been a closely guarded family secret, a rule to never discuss it with outsiders.
Who were these people, and what else did they know?
“How are you feeling?” Jake asked as he peeked his head through the bedroom door.
“I'm doing okay. I still have a headache, and my mind is racing with everything that's happened in the last few weeks. But I'm on the mend. Thank you for asking,” I replied, trying my hardest to maintain a professional, non-emotional tone, although unsuccessfully.
Jake stepped farther into the room, wearing a small smile. In his hand, he held a bottle of Tylenol and a glass of water. “I figured as much. Here, I brought you some Tylenol. I’ve been using it for my headache as well.”
His nonchalant comment grated on me. He had been hurt because of me in the car crash, and he had been hurt again in the greenhouse fire, all because of me. Yet, he talked like he’d just bumped his head on a kitchen cabinet. “Thank you,” I managed to say through gritted teeth.
“You're moving much better than I was when I was just released from the hospital.”
“We heal quickly,” I retorted, my tone harsher than I intended, causing Jake's eyebrows to rise slightly as he looked at me .
“Well, I know you heal quickly, and for that, I'm downright thankful.” Jake moved to the other side of the bed and lay down next to me.
“I was scared that I was going to lose you.
You've said that accidents and really old age are the only real causes of... death for Sasquatches.” The last word caught in his throat as he stared at me.
Panic surged through me. I shot out of bed, drawing a surprised gasp from Jake.
“Jake, it's too dangerous for you to be with me.
I get that you're saying you're going into this with your eyes wide open, but it’s still true.” I struggled to keep my voice steady, but it unintentionally rose in volume.
“While I've always wanted your burdens on me, I don't want any of THIS on you.” I noticed my arms waving around madly.
“Thank you for all you've done, but you can't be with me. I clearly can’t protect you. You got hurt again because of me. I know this hurts you, and for that, I am sorry... truly sorry.” I choked on the last part of that.
Jake just stared at me. When had he developed that stoic face?
“I don’t accept that,” he finally said.
“What? What do you mean you don’t accept that?”
“Just like I said. Every relationship I've ever had, men have used me. They never wanted my ‘burdens,’ as you called them. Thank you for rescuing me on more than one occasion. But you do NOT need to protect me. We will protect each other. So, NO, I don’t accept it.”
“It takes two for a relationship. So, you don't really have a choice now, do you? If I’m calling it quits? ”
“You were in this relationship before I was,” Jake explained.
“You made sure to tell me your intentions.
You made sure to stay close. You didn't give up when I wasn't ready. You made sure to have everything I needed. You made sure to give me the room I needed. You did all of that… and I plan to do the same. I’ll wait as long as I need. Until YOU come to your senses.”
He was so calm as he spoke, laying out clear logic, even using my own actions against me.
My head hurt too much to argue further. Pulling on my jeans, I left the room.
“I need to go see what needs to happen in the greenhouse,” I called over my shoulder, wincing as my voice came out rougher than intended, especially given Jake's calmness.