6. Heartbreak #2
“Well, I’m going to ask my friend to take me home and then go to bed and get some proper sleep.
Do you know how hard it is to rest in hospitals?
” Dakota laughed a loud throaty sound but shook his head.
“Then in a couple of days, I’m going to ask you about that heat club.
” I flushed, remembering the lie that I told him about visiting one.
“I’ve been told that bringing on a heat is the best idea once the worst of the detox is done and I feel up to it. ”
“Okay. Sounds like a plan. What are you going to do about that alpha?”
“What alpha?” I asked, confused.
“Alpha Blake from the Sweetwater pack,” Dakota stated carefully.
“Oh, well, did he leave a number or anything?” He shook his head. “Could you apologize to him for me and take me off the route?”
Dakota smiled. “Of course. I wouldn’t make you do that one again if you say it isn’t safe. Were you going to tell me about this ex?”
It was my turn to shake my head. “Look, I can’t say much about it. Please, I don’t really want to get into it, but it isn’t an ex, or at least he isn’t looking for me right now. I don’t think, anyway. I just need to lie low.”
“Kade—“
“Not here, please Dakota. I’ll tell you more, but not today and not here, okay? Could you take me home, please?” I pleaded with him.
His eyes searched my face before his face softened and he said gently, “of course.”
My IV line was long gone, so I just go. I tried to get off the bed before I noticed I was still in the hospital gown and needed to dress. “Uh, could you, um... pass me my clothes?” My face flushed and a faint blush appeared on Dakota’s cheeks.
“Sure.” He passed me my clothes, and he turned his back while I put my underwear on and then slumped onto the bed, exhausted just from briefly standing. “Everything okay?” he asked.
At my silence, he slowly turned and found me panting from the effort on the bed.
“Let me,” he said as he dropped to his knees in front of me and carefully pulled my socks on my cold feet.
He picked up each foot in turn and pushed my legs into my jeans, supporting me so I was standing leaning against him as he pulled them up to my waist. I tied them, my fingers clumsy around the buttons.
Then Dakota sat me down again and popped my long-sleeved t-shirt over my head.
I managed to lift my arms into the armholes and gave him a sweet smile in response to his care.
“Where’s?” he asked, looking around.
“What?”
“Your jacket.”
“Um, I didn’t have it on. I got too hot.”
“It’s too cold to be going to the car like that. You’re skin and bones.” He thought for a minute and then pulled off his hoodie. “Put this on,” he said firmly.
I wanted to argue, but it looked soft and warm, so I did as I was told while Dakota got to his knees again and put my sneakers on for me.
He looked up at me as he tied the laces, the affection on his face giving me pause.
This meant so much more to him than me, and I hated that it felt like I was using him.
Would he settle for friendship? That was all that I could really afford to give him.
Besides, I was damaged now. Who’d want a damaged, likely infertile omega for a mate?
Having babies was all we were good for in a lot of packs.
There must have been something on my face, a sign of withdrawal, because Dakota let out a sigh. “Let’s get you home.”
Dozing on the drive, I only woke as we pulled into the driveway behind my car and stopped.
“Hey, sleepyhead.” Dakota laughed.
“Sorry,” I muttered, trying to subtly wipe a trail of drool from my mouth.
“You snore!” Dakota pointed out, chuckling at my offended face.
“Do not!”
“Do too, but it’s cute.”
I scrubbed a hand over my face and sighed.
“Sorry, I really want to be your friend, Kade, but I can’t help my feelings for you. I’ve—“
“Dakota, please. I’m exhausted. You’ve been great, but I swear I could vomit right now and just want to go to bed.”
“Sorry,” he repeated, and I worried that I’d really offended him as he got out of the car, but he reappeared at my door. “Let’s get you in and settled, okay?” His cheerful mask was back in place.
With his help, I got into the house and into some sleep pants and a fresh t-shirt.
I’d have loved a shower but wouldn’t have been able to stay standing to get washed.
I heard Dakota opening and closing cabinets and moving around my house and found that I didn’t mind him there.
If we could just draw a proper boundary so I wasn’t constantly hurting his feelings.
.. He returned and placed a glass of water on the nightstand, plugged my phone in to charge, and then placed the wastebin by the bed. “In case you get sick,” he explained.
“Kota? Take a spare key with you, please.”
“You sure?”
“Yes. Thank you,” I croaked, sleep tugging heavily at me.
“My pleasure,” he whispered as he bent and kissed my forehead.
My last conscious thought as I listened to Dakota leave was that I wished I could fall in love with him, so I didn’t have to hurt him.