Page 16 of Wildest Forever (Lovelock Bay #3)

“I'll take it, you get his meds,” he gives me a sympathetic smile and I don't know why, but it makes my chest ache.

He waits for me to walk out of the kitchen before I climb the stairs,him following as I walk into my pops’ room, plastering a fake smile across my lips as I tilt my head, looking at him then placing his meds on the bedside table with his water.

He thanks me with a soft nod as Pacey tiptoes behind with his tray of food.

I step aside as Pacey places it down and he gives Pacey a small smile.

“Take your meds pops,” I say as I sit on the edge of the bed. I know he wouldn't not take them, but I always feel better when I have seen him swallow them.

His trembling hand skates across as he reaches for his water then scoops the tablets up, tossing them back in one mouthful as he swallows them down with the water.

His playful manner doesn't go unnoticed as he sticks his tongue out before lifting it so I can see that he has in fact taken his meds.

“Thank you,” I mutter, then place my hand over his and the coldness of his skin shocks me.

“Doctor will be here soon,” Pacey slips in and I smile at him before turning my attention back to my pops.

“Eat your blood orange first, then eat the rest if you feel up to it.I'll be back soon,” I say as I stand then lean over and give him a kiss on the forehead, his feverish skin warming my lips and my heart twists.

“No problem sweetheart,” he rumbles, and I feel Pacey's hand rest on my lower back as I stand up and I want to break down in front of him, but I don't. I keep as positive as I can that he will break the fever and he will be back to himself after a full belly and a good sleep.

“Come,” Pacey whispers, ushering me out of the room and then slips the door two behind me.

“I'm worried,” my words dance on a whisper as we make our way downstairs, Pacey close to me and I know he can pick up on my mood.

“It'll be okay,” and I know he is trying his best to reassure me, but my heart still skips a beat or two.

Walking back into the kitchen, a heavy sigh has my shoulders sagging at the now spoiled food on the side.

Pacey keeps moving, grabbing his plate from the table as he does and begins scooping the food onto his plate.

“Don't eat that, it's cold.”

“You cooked it, I'll eat it... always,” his eyes meet mine over my shoulder and I can't stop the small smile that tugs at the corners.

Turning, he walks back to the table and he gives me a soft wink and my heart swells in my chest at the small bit of sweetness he has shown me.

Sitting at the table, I watch as he bites a bit of bacon, his eyes closing slightly as he hums in appreciation.

My lips twist and I know he is probably doing it just to be kind.

Moving over to the work top, I plate my own food up and take my seat next to him.

My appetite has gone, pushing my food around my plate but I do manage a few small bites.

We sit in silence as we eat and I am very aware that this food is dry and cold but Pacey eats the whole plate then goes back for seconds.

Pushing his plate away, he taps his stomach softly and puffs his cheeks out.

“That was,” he makes a circle with his finger and thumb as if to say perfection.

“You're being kind,” I shake my head as I push my own plate away.

“I'm not,” he grumbles as his eyes narrow on mine for a moment. “It was really good,” he nods then looks behind him, silently debating whether to go for another serving.

“Thanks for calling Dr Carlos,” I mutter as I look towards the kitchen window and sigh, I didn't want to say the words out loud, but I knew his time was running out and it broke my heart that there was nothing I could do.

“Always, you should know I'll always be here for you...” he trails off, “whether you want me here or not.”

I can't look at him.

My eyes burn and I try to blink away the tears that are threatening.

“I am so worried,” my bottom lip trembles and I hate that I am going to cry in front of him.

“I know you are,” his hand skates across the table and hovers over mine, his thumb brushing back and forth and that's when I look at him, tears edging on my bottom lid.

Before I could even respond, the front doorbell chimes through the hallway and I slip my hand from under his and I swipe my tear away.

Pushing from the table, I pace to the hallway and swing the front door open and I give Dr Carlos a soft smile.

Dark hair, tanned skin, brown eyes. Mid-forties.

“Morgan,” he gives me a small nod, a grimace on his face.

I step aside and let him in, he removes his black cowboy hat and places it on the hook outside the closet where we hang our coats and store our shoes.

“What's the problem?” Carlos asks just as Pacey moves around the door frame. Carlos' eyes flick to him, his jaw tightening before he focuses on me.

“He looks a bit gray, said he didn't feel too good. He has a fever, hands are cold.” I sigh, letting my head turn and looking up the stairs to where my pops is.“He has had his meds, we left him with breakfast whilst we ate ours.”

Carlos nods, his fingers flexing around his black leather doctor bag.

“May I?” he asks, his eyes lifting from mine and trailing the stairs.

I give a nod and turn on my heel, walking up the stairs as he follows me, Pacey close behind.

“Have you got a houseguest?” he asks me as he follows me up the stairs.

“I'm her husband,” I hear the way Pacey's voice rumbles, it's low and slow.

“Oh,” Carlos' response has me smirking.

He is a good-looking man.

Older yes, but devilishly handsome.

Pacey is a little more rugged, rough around the edges but a pretty boy.

Carlos was clean cut, hair always swept back and styled, dressed impeccably.I’d always had a bit of a crush on him.

But totally wouldn't go there.

“I didn't realize you had a husband,” Carlos says as we reach the top of the stairs.

“We've only been married a short while,” I wait for him to walk next to me and my cheeks turn pink.

Pacey steps up behind me and curls his hand around my hip, pulling me into him and I know this is all for show.

If I was a betting woman, I would say he was jealous.

Carlos' eyes cast down to his little public display of affection and clears his throat.

Stepping away from my husband, I give the ajar door a knock and then step into the room, my pops turning to look at us, his lips pressing into a smile.

“Ah, doc, good to see you,” he says as Carlos walks past me and moves over to the bed, sitting on the edge as he looks at him.

“We will leave you to it,” I say quietly, and Carlos gives me a soft nod as his eyes meet mine over his shoulder. I step back and Pacey follows as I close the door.“I know that look,” I whisper as I pace up and down the landing.

“What look?” Pacey glares at the closed door then his sights are back on me.

“The look Carlos gave me; it's bad news...” I nibble my non-existent nails as I continue moving.

“Hey, hey,” Pacey says as he cups my face in his hand and slowly my fingers drop from my lips as my eyes burn into his.

“He is with the best person... you've got to try and keep positive... can you do that for me?” his eyes volley between mine as he waits for me and all I can do is nod, over and over.

“Good girl,” he whispers before dropping my face and I go back to pacing, and he just leans against the stair rail as we wait for Carlos to re-appear.

I freeze when I hear the door handle twist and I am next to Pacey in a second as Carlos steps out of the room, closing the door behind him quietly before he lifts his head to look at me.

He doesn't even need to say the words.

His eyes tell me everything.

“How long?” I whisper, because saying the words out loud are too terrifying.

“A couple of weeks...” he trails off before his hand is on my shoulder, “I'm so sorry Morgan.”

Running my tongue over my bottom lip, my eyes fill with unshed tears, and I can't stop them falling, even if I wanted to.

“I will be back tonight; I can give him meds to make him comfortable. I can get nurses in too, twenty-four hours a day to help you both out...” he pauses as he drops his hand from my shoulder and looks at Pacey.

“It's going to be a lot for you to deal with Morgan, I really do suggest you accept the help.”

I can't respond. I am completely numb to the words that have just left his mouth.

“Thanks doc, we'll be in touch once we have had a chance to talk.” he clasps Carlos' hand before he leads him to the front door.

I am still frozen on the spot.

My legs felt anchored to the floor, my heart thumping hard in my chest. My mind was whizzing with a thousand questions, but I just couldn't voice them, I just couldn't get them out to ask Carlos what was wrong.

Pacey's fingers curl around my wrist, slowly pulling my hand from my face as he looks at me, head dipped and tilted slightly.

“Baby,” his voice is quiet and sounds as if it is in the distance. I blink a few times, and finally, I manage to look at him.

His lips twitch into a smile and before I can even fall apart, he pulls me into his body, my head on his chest as I sob silently into his tee, soaking it through.

He says nothing.

Just wraps his arms around me and holds me whilst I cry.

Sure, crying isn't going to cure my pops.

But it feels damn good to let it all out.