Page 62 of The Destruction You Desire

"Hey, it's okay."

I suck in a ragged breath, pulling my face out again and looking into his sympathetic eyes.

"You had your cell. Has anyone called?"

He nods and my heart jumps into my throat. "Dr. Willis called. They're taking Libby for some more tests and scans. She hopes that the results today might help to give an indication of where this is going to go. But she also said not to go in this morning because we'll just get in the way—"

"She said that?" I ask, my brows pulling together.

"Well, no. She was a little more diplomatic but that's what she meant. She said to go up after lunch and she'll give you the results as soon as she can."

I nod, accepting that I won't get to see her again until this afternoon.

"What time is it?"

"Almost nine. I thought that maybe we could go and get some breakfast. Find a store to get some supplies."

Reaching out, I rest my hand on his rough cheek, really appreciating everything that he did for me yesterday, but fully aware that he's walked out of his own life without a second thought.

"You should go back to Maddison."

He rears back a little as if I just slapped him. "No, P. I'm not leaving you here. No way."

"But your life. College, football, your—"

Leaning toward me, he rests his brow against mine. "I'm not going anywhere until you do. Once Libby is stable, we'll all go back to Maddison together."

"You've already done too much, Luc."

"Nothing will ever be too much for you, baby. Nothing." He threads his fingers through mine and dips his head to brush his lips against mine.

I don't react, realizing once more that doing what I did last night might have given him more ideas about our future than I wanted it to.

After a second, he realizes that I'm not going to return the kiss and he pulls back.

"Why don't you get cleaned up and we'll go and find some food."

I nod, unable to do anything but agree with him.

Luca takes me to a diner between our motel and the hospital. We're led to a booth right in the back of the restaurant away from anyone else. It's as if the server knows I need it. But one look at Luca, and I realize he did know and this is all part of Luca's way of looking after me.

I let out a resigned sigh as I drop down onto the bench, Luca sliding in opposite me after agreeing to the coffee the server offers.

Last night was a mistake. I knew that going into it. But I needed it. Hell, I still need it.

He made everything go away. All the thoughts and fears in my head vanished. It might have only been for a few minutes really, but it was the exact relief I needed from it.

The server returns to fill our mugs and still no words have passed between us, although his concerned stare burns into the top of my head as I stare at the worn table before me.

Luca orders for us, and I'm grateful that I don't even need to look at the menu, let alone make a decision.

My stomach is in knots, dread and regrets from last night sitting heavy in it. I already know I'm not going to be able to force down much.

Luca continues staring at me across the table, and I feel myself closing down even more.

I don't want to be here. I want to be at the hospital, even if Libby isn't in her room and having tests. I just want to be there because she has no one else who's going to be.

I can't help her through this if she's alone.