Page 214 of The Surprise Play

“I love that you want to stop them, but that’s not always possible. The point is,Ihandled it. Me. And you know how I did that?”

“How?” I grumble, still riled by the idea that they might try again.

“I believed my boyfriend when he told me I’m fucking amazing.” She grins, and I swear she’s never looked more beautiful than in this moment right here.

Weaving my hand around the back of her neck, I pull her forward to kiss me, taking my time to strength the connection between us.

I love this woman.

Sheisfucking amazing, and I never want her to doubt it.

Tipping my head, I deepen the kiss and dance a slow, sweet tongue tango with her, then softly ask her to stay with me. Because the thought of watching her walk out of here again is too devastating. I need her tonight. I need to hold her tight and draw from the strength she’s offering.

I need to talk to her about the decision that’s looming in front of me, but right now, I just want to hold her.

My heart is bruised and metaphorically bleeding as I face this unexpected injury.

But I’ll survive.

I’ll heal.

And having her beside me is only going to speed up that process.

CHAPTER 65

ELIZABETH

Sleeping against Wily, as good as it might feel, is not an easy feat in a hospital bed. My arm goes numb, and I need to shift, but I don’t want to disturb him. And then around two in the morning, he starts getting pain as the meds have worn off, and I rush out to get the night nurse, who then scolds me for being there.

I try to tell her that Wily needs me, but she isn’t having it.

In the end, Wily loses his shit and yells at her that I’m not leaving, and I back him up, saying if I’m not allowed on the bed, then I’ll park myself on the floor for the night.

She looks about ready to call security, but she must have seen the desperate, pleading look on Wily’s face and ends up relenting with a sigh.

“Don’t let anyone see you in here,” she whispers at me, pulling the curtain around so no one can see us through the glass in the door before leaving to get Wily his meds.

He’s sad and restless, so I take his hand, brushing mythumb over his knuckles. “What should we talk about?” I smile, trying to distract him. “I’ve got some great diner stories I can tell you, or we could?—”

“Satch.” He sighs my name, squeezing my fingers, the look on his face making me instantly nervous.

“What is it?” I coax him when his eyes finally track up to my face… and he doesn’t say anything.

His blue gaze is glassy… tortured.

“Baby?” I touch his face.

“I might have to leave you,” he whispers, his voice raw and wounded.

“What do you mean?” I keep my tone gentle, stuffing down the bloom of panic that wants to expand and blow up in my chest.

“I—” His explanation is cut short by the nurse, who returns with the meds and is clearly appeased to see my butt in the chair and not Wily’s bed.

She waits until he’s swallowed the pills and sipped some more water before checking on his knee and making a small adjustment. He hisses, and I flinch at the pain on his face.

“I know,” she murmurs softly, her smile compassionate when she takes the empty cup from him and glances at me. “Make sure he rests.”

I nod, waiting for the door to click shut behind her before looking back at my boyfriend, who is so obviously weighed down. And totally exhausted.