This Is Love (Evermore University #2)

5. Jaxon

5

JAXON

With two scalding-hot cups of coffee in my hands, I make my way back to the room they’ve got Rya resting in and aim a brief smile at the two nurses who have been helping her as I pass the counter of the nurses’ station. They’re looking over something on Charlie’s tablet. Jennifer, the older of the two, eyes me and nods, but Charlie juts her chin toward me. “If you’re heading back to Rya’s room, tell her we’ll get started in about five minutes. And to hang in there, we’ve got her.”

I clench my teeth, noting the look of slight apprehension on both faces. There’s no doubt in my mind that what they’re about to help Rya through will be difficult. I work my jaw to the side. As much as I fucking hate it for her, it’s important we know what happened. I hope at the end of the day, they can look back and feel like they made a difference. And I hope Rya finds the support and comfort she’ll need to make it through.

“Thanks, we appreciate that. I’ll let her know.”

“Hey?” Jennifer calls out. “I know it’s hard, but try not to worry. We’ll be with her. She’ll get through it, and then maybe we’ll have some answers.”

Fuck, I must look like I’m about to lose it. Nodding in acknowledgment, I don’t say anything more because what am I supposed to fucking say? There’s something wedged in my throat, and I don’t think it’s coming out anytime soon. I would stay with Rya if she asked, but I have a feeling, like the nurses assume, it’d be added stress to have us in there. She and I aren’t quite in the right place in our relationship for something like this. Hell, I don’t know if she’d even allow Logan to stay, no matter that I sense they’re repairing things between them. My jaw locks up hard, a muscle twitching manically on one side.

At the door to Rya’s room, I rap with the back of my knuckles, careful not to jostle the coffee in that hand too much. Then, since the door is ajar, I nudge it open. Logan is sitting on the bed, holding Rya against his chest, and strokes a hand over the back of her head. Something inside me clenches, biting at my insides. I beat it back. Now is not the time to act like a dick no matter what my mother just texted me. Fucking family gathering, my ass. I’m pissed, but plenty of time for that later.

A whimper from Rya snaps me back to the present, and I tamp down all the loathing and hostility I hold toward her best friend. My stepbrother and I have been through hell along with her tonight—and I’m not referring to the seven minutes in the closet, either. I can give him a reprieve for a little while. Until we know Rya is okay. Or at least until we’re alone.

Then, all bets are still fucking off, as far as I’m concerned.

There’d been a minute before we found Rya where I’d had some crazy notion that I should explain my actions, but Logan hadn’t wanted to hear it. Just as well. I’m glad I didn’t say a goddamn thing. And interestingly enough, he hadn’t wanted me to drive my car. So, I guess I’m doing something right. I’m burrowing my way under his skin. He won’t know which end is up by the time I’m done.

I refocus on Rya instead of Logan and count to three as I inhale a deep, calming breath. “Hey,” I say softly, now that I’ve got my wits about me again. “I got the coffee.” Crossing over to the side of the bed where the adjustable table is, I set the cups down. “They both have cream and sugar. Sorry, I didn’t know what you’d want.”

Logan shifts, turning his head. “Thanks. That’s fine.”

“The nurses said they’d be in soon.”

Rya makes a small sound of distress before easing away from Logan and nodding. Her eyes sparkle with tears. She’s fucking beautiful like that, but I doubt I’ll like why they’re there. It’s definitely either because of the upcoming testing or because me leaving gave her and Logan a chance at a little heart-to-heart.

“You all don’t have to stay for that. I’ll be okay.” She sweeps the pads of her fingers over her cheeks, brushing away a few rogue tears that escaped from her shining eyes.

I tip my head to the side. “Who you have with you is your choice, but there’s no way I’m leaving.” My eyes wander her puffy face. “Nope. No way.” I jerk a thumb at Logan. “Besides, you’re not going to get Logan to abandon you. He’s a little clingy.”

Logan rolls his eyes, then shakes his head for good measure. “Knock it off, Jaxon.”

I raise both hands. “Easy there, bro. I didn’t mean anything by it.”

Rya’s gaze ping-pongs between us. She’s caught in the cross fire. I shut my eyes for a brief second. The girl I’m falling for doesn’t deserve that. Definitely not tonight. Not ever, really.

Closing the distance to her, I bend at the waist and tip her chin up with a few fingers. In my peripheral vision, a steady pair of unrelenting blue eyes watch every move I make. Ignoring Logan, I murmur quietly, “I’m just messing around. You’re calling the shots. Every fucking one. You tell us what you need. Nobody else’s opinion matters.” And I really do mean it. Even if it surprises the fuck out of me. I pause, then wink at her, briefly cupping her cheek. “Got it?”

Rya releases a deep sigh. “Yeah. Thanks.”

Clearing my throat, I note that a phone on the table is vibrating with incoming notifications. “This yours, pretty girl? Someone’s texting you.”

Logan arches a brow, watching as I pick it up. “Um, yeah. Jennifer said it was in her pocket. She took it out when she helped Rya put on the hospital gown.”

“You want it?” I hold it out to her.

Rya shakes her head, then on a long exhale, rubs her hands over her face. “Could you read them for me?”

“Yeah, if that’s what you want.” I hold the phone in front of her face, and it unlocks, so I proceed to open the messages. My lips twitch as I glance over some of the texts. “It’s our favorite tipsy troublemaker.”

Rya gives me a semi-amused smile. “What is she even doing awake?”

I shrug. Raising my voice by an octave, I give my best Hazel impression as I read, hoping to make her laugh. “Ryaaaaaaa. OMG, I’m so hungover. Where are you? Still out? Or just not here? Maybe you’re barfing again. I puked, too. Send me the Bat-Signal, and I’ll rescue you. Do you need anything? Girl, answer me!”

While I’m holding the phone, what I hope is the last of the texts comes in. Because oof , this is a little like taking a look inside Hazel’s head, and I’m finding it a fucking terrifying place to be. This final message, though… no way am I reading it aloud. In fact, I stare rather woodenly at it.

When’s your walk of shame happening?

Maybe it’s a weird roommate thing. I dunno. Raking a hand through my hair, I mutter, “The fuck, Hazel.” I look up after grinding my teeth. “You don’t need to hear the rest. She’s being an idiot.”

Rya eyes me warily.

In the time that I’ve refused to continue, Logan has gotten up from the bed and comes in close, peering over my shoulder. “Damn. I, uh… I think she’s still feeling the effects of her night. She’s clueless you’ve had any trouble.”

I roll my eyes. “You mean she’s still drunk off her ass?”

Chewing on my bottom lip, I debate deleting the texts for good so Rya doesn’t need to bother with them when her phone buzzes yet again.

Hey, what are you doing with your winnings?

Uh. Well, this is fun. I glance at Logan. Hopefully, we can contain this to their visit to the closet and not bring up ours. “She wants to know what you’re doing with your cash from Tri-Beta.”

Rya blinks at me. “Money?”

Logan sighs, scooting over to where he can grab one of the two cups of coffee, then blows into the hole in the lid. “From Seven Minutes in Hell. You got it for kissing Hazel in the closet. Jaxon mentioned it earlier when he was trying to be funny.”

“Right.” Her mouth drops open, and I see it in her eyes. She really doesn’t fucking remember. “I mean… since my phone was in my pocket, is the cash there, too? Where are my clothes?”

Pointing to a medium-size plastic bag on the counter across the room, I ask, “Do you want me to check the pockets?”

“Yes. And since everyone remembers all the fun and I don’t, I think it’s only fair to know more about what shenanigans went down during the rest of their dumb game. Besides, maybe it’ll distract me from everything.” She grimaces, wiping what I assume are sweaty palms on the sheet covering her thighs.

But… there’s no time for distraction, because a moment later, there’s a tap on the door, and all three of us freeze in place as Dr. Murphy pokes her head into the room, Nurse Charlie standing right behind her. “Rya? Are you ready?”

“Um. Y-yes.” She draws in a deep, shuddering breath. I don’t think I’m seeing things—her slim body has begun to quake. My heart plummets into my gut at the distress that has made its way back onto her face.

Logan takes her hand, and Rya grabs onto him like he’s her lifeline. Something in me shifts. I may be dangerously close to caring too much for this girl, but I’m also agitated it’s not me she reached for. I continue to watch them, even though it’s like putting burning pokers straight into my eyeballs.

Leaning in close, he whispers something in her ear. She pauses a moment, her gaze flicking to his as she takes in whatever he said. The worry in his eyes is palpable as he plants a kiss on her temple. “I’ll be here when it’s over.” His voice is low and gritty, scraping over my heart in a way I wasn’t ready for. Fuck . I close my eyes, hoping it’ll block out the twinge of sympathy I feel for the pair of them. With what appears to be a mixture of reluctance and great difficulty, Logan steps away from her. “Someone will come get me if she needs me?”

“Yes, of course.” The doctor gives him a reassuring smile. My gaze slips to the nurse who has begun to buzz around the room. She’s got a tray of instruments that she’s preparing, a few of which have me raising my eyebrows, my stomach twisting into ugly knots. Christ, fuck .

I turn, my eyes connecting with Rya’s. The desire to make sure she knows I’m here for her, too, is overwhelming. My gaze shifts to the doctor and nurse who now patiently wait. They need me to get the fuck out of the way so they can do their jobs. I blow out a breath and rake a hand through my hair as my feet carry me over to the bedside, and I prop my hip on the edge to carefully take Rya’s exhausted face between my hands. Staring into her eyes, I attempt to steady my breathing while she trembles under my touch. “You’re going to be okay, pretty girl. I’ll be waiting for you on the other side.”

She has this desperate, anguished look in her eyes. “No matter what?”

I nod. “I’ll be here. Promise. Remember what I told you? I always keep my word. I don’t say shit I don’t mean. I’m not going anywhere.”

Swallowing hard, she nods as a tear slips down her cheek. “Okay.” A deep breath gusts from her lungs, and she wets her lips as I release her, only to pull her body to mine in a tight hug. Deep inside, I ache for her, the burn in my chest threatening to disintegrate my heart and turn it into nothing more than ash.

With regret, I finally let her go, tearing my gaze away. I have to do it, because there’s no way I’ll be able to leave her if I look into her eyes for another second. I heave out a breath as I slip through the doorway. Behind me, the ominous click of the heavy door shutting sounds like gunfire. I close my eyes and clamp my jaw tightly, dropping my head back on my shoulders as I struggle to maintain control. Fuck . I’m gonna goddamn crack for this girl. I can’t afford to let her crawl inside my head like this.