Page 95 of Mr. Brightside
But healthy love doesn’t hurt. Not like this. I have to accept that I deserve more than “what could have been” from a relationship. I have to choose me.
I leave my wedding ring on the counter and make my way back to the bedroom to pack.
Chapter 40
Jake
Islipthroughthefront door and guide it closed so I don’t wake him. The second I heel off my shoes, I sigh. The cool hardwood panels soothe my aching feet through my socks.
Exhaustion is tightening its grip on me—I’m physically, emotionally, and mentally drained. All I want is a hot shower, my bed, and my man.
When I turn the corner into the kitchen, I realize there’s no need to be quiet. Cory’s up, sitting at the breakfast bar.
He’s right there.
My heart flutters when I see him, my nerves instantly settling as the adrenaline drains from my body. I’m so comforted by his presence. Being close to him feels like coming home.
We have a lot to talk about… fuck. I know I have to apologize and explain. Even in the light of a new day, I’m still committed to telling him the truth about what happened with Ian McDowell. He deserves to know. I want my husband to know everything about me: the good, the bad, and the ugly. Before last night, I wasn’t willing to accept that, but now I can finally admit my truth: I trust Cory. I love Cory. And I believe that no matter what I confess, he’ll love me anyway.
But as I try to meet his gaze, his posture throws me off. He looks… withdrawn? Like he hasn’t slept? Maybe he’s more upset about what happened last night than I realized. I blow out a long breath; I’ve got some groveling to do. That’s okay: he deserves an apology. I want to give him what he needs so we can move past this.
“Hey,” I cautiously greet him before pulling open the fridge for water. What is it about hospitals that makes people so thirsty?
He whispers his reply, his voice so low I barely hear him over the hum of the fridge. “Where were you?”
Fuck. I’m embarrassed as hell about how I acted last night. It was immature and selfish to push him away when I needed him most. I know I owe him an apology. And an explanation. I exhale and hold up my arm so he can see the bright orange band.
“I was at the hospital all night.”
He’s up and out of his seat a moment later.
“What? Are you okay?”
I’d left my phone in my car, then Julian drove us to the hospital. In all the chaos of the night, followed by my heart-to-heart with Julian, I hadn’t even thought to text Cory and let him know what was going on.
“Oh, shit. Yes, I’m fine. Really. It was Fiona. She has asthma, and she was wheezing pretty hard last night. My dumbass brother doesn’t even know how to administer her inhaler, let alone check her pulse ox. Ashleigh called me in a panic, so I ran over to their house to help.”
I down my entire glass of water and let out a satisfied sigh.
“As soon as I saw her, I knew she needed medical attention. I went with them to the ER, then they admitted her overnight for observation since she’d been in respiratory distress for so long. I stayed with Julian since Mimi was with us, too.”
I can’t help but smile at the memory of her sprawled across us on that hospital couch.
“I probably should have taken her home, but my brother…. he was so fucking out of his element. I felt like I had to be there in case he needed help. Thankfully Fiona’s vitals all stabilized, and they discharged her this morning.”
His next words come out a choked whisper. “You were at the hospital all night and you didn’t even think to tell me?”
His question is full of judgment and indignation.
I take two steps forward, desperate to close the space between us and make this right.
“I’m sorry, baby. I wasn’t thinking about anything but Fifi last night.”
His eyes double in size. I don’t understand why he’s so upset about the hospital. He shakes his head, sticks his tongue in his cheek, and mutters “unbelievable.”
“Cory, talk to me. I said I’m sorry. What’s wrong?”
“What’s wrong? Seriously, Jake? What’swrong? You left me standing in Rhett’s backyard without telling me where you were going. You made it sound like you were going after the man who sexually assaulted you as a kid! I begged you to stay, and you left anyway. I’ve been sitting up all night worrying about where you went, what you did. I’ve been worried to death about what you might do, about what he might do to you if you …”