16. Aubrey #3
“Just t-take me h-home, please… Take m-me home…” I manage to get out, and he moves into action immediately, carrying me down the hall and out of the hospital. He sits me down in the passenger seat, buckles me in, then runs around the car and climbs in behind the steering wheel.
I bend in half, coving my face with my hands as I wail uncontrollably, hyperventilating as the tightness in my lungs burns me from the inside. I’ve never felt pain like this; I don’t know how to stop it.
I hear a loud smack at my side as Shane’s hand connects with something and he curses. It’s quickly followed by the click of my seatbelt being disconnected, before he slides it past me, then lifts me out of my seat and onto his lap.
“I wish I could take away your pain, Angel. It kills me to see you like this.” His mumble is filled with sadness as he squeezes me tighter against him.
It takes me well over an hour to collect myself, and by the time my sobs turn into silent whimpers, my head is pounding and my eyes hurt…
so does my heart. “I’m sorry I wasted your time in there for nothing…
” I say quietly, still resting against Shane.
At some point he reclined his seat for me to really lie on top of him.
“No time spent with you is wasted time, Aubrey. I’d rather spend thousands of hours at your side doing nothing than one hour of meaningless crap, because you are what’s important to me, above everything else.
You and our Little Star come first. Always.
” He kisses the top of my head as his fingers glide through my hair.
“Thank you, Shane. I don’t think I could have gone through that without you.”
“I’ll always be here when you need me, Angel. And even when you don’t, I’ll still be standing beside you,” he murmurs into the quiet night. I’m not sure what time it is, but it seems really dark outside now. “Are you ready to go home?”
I nod against his chest. “I am.”
I climb back into my seat and buckle myself up as Shane repositions his seat and pulls us out of the parking lot. He takes my hand in his, lacing our fingers together, then brings it up to his mouth and presses his lips to the back of my palm.
“Are you hungry, sweetheart? Thirsty? In the mood for something in particular?” He glances my way with a knowing smirk. “Anything, Angel. Just name it and I’ll find a way to get it.” He finishes with a wink that makes my cheekbones flush brightly.
I love how even after almost three months of being intimate together, he still makes me blush constantly. I know I already blush more than the usual being, but when Shane admitted he loved how easily it happened, I was afraid it would go away once we grew close and I got comfortable around him.
I lick my lips, thinking of all the savory things I could go for right now, but one shines brighter than the others in my mind. “I could go for a caramel sundae.”
“Yeah?”
I nod, biting my lip. “Mhmm.”
“You know what’s really crazy?” He grins, keeping his eyes on the road, but by his light amused tone, I can tell this is his playful side talking.
“What?” I raise a brow.
“I was just craving a caramel sundae, too. Isn’t that strange? I guess you could call us… birds of a feather.” He waggles his brows at me.
A laugh bursts from my throat as I cover my mouth. “Oh my God! You have never spoken your age until just now.” I laugh harder, holding my stomach. “Do people even say that anymore?”
He faux gasps. “Did you just call me old?” He lets out a low whistle.
“Wow, you offer your girlfriend anything her heart may desire, and she calls you old. I’m really feeling the love here, Angel.
Really feeling it.” He pulls his hand away, pretending to be insulted but the smile on his lips says otherwise.
I grab his hand back, holding it close to my chest. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it.
You’re not old, not at all.” I press my lips together, refraining from giggling once more when he narrows his eyes at me.
I pepper his hand with kisses then cuddle it to my face.
“Do I still get my sundae?” I grin wide, my mood instantly lifted with the help of Shane.
“Extra caramel?”
That surprises me as my brows rise. “How do you know I take it with extra caramel?”
“Because the last two you’ve made at home had more caramel in it than actual ice cream.” He chuckles. Hmm, I guess that would make his assumption easy. “So, is that a yes?”
“Yes, please.” I give him a white toothy smile.
I rest my head against the seat, placing our hands like they were a few seconds ago, interlocked on my thigh.
I sigh, looking at the man who managed to turn my night around despite the horrible events of today.
He truly is the man of my dreams. If I had any doubts before, I definitely don’t have any now.
“Thank you for making me feel better,” I whisper.
“It’s my job to make you feel better, Angel. I’ll do anything to put a smile on your beautiful face.” He looks over, his eyes dropping to my lips as I smile, giving him what he wants. “Now let’s get those sundaes and eat them by the fireplace in our room.”
“You should probably get two for me, I might not be able to wait until we get home,” I admit as my face turns red.
“I was already planning on getting you three.” He winks again as I giggle.
I ate all three.