Chapter 42
The moment I got the alert that Avery’s heart rate was spiking, I sprinted down to the lobby.
I have no idea where the hell she and Sadie went, but they can’t be too far.
Both of their cars were parked out front when I got back from practice, so they probably walked somewhere nearby.
I dial her number for the third time and just like the first two times, it goes unanswered.
“Where are you, baby?” I’m pacing the lobby now, debating dialing her for a fourth time when I see the doors of the building open.
Sadie is wearing a look of horror on her face, clutching Avery’s arm when they make it inside. And then when I look at Avery, I see it. Her face is pale as snow and her eyes are wide, as if she just saw a ghost.
My feet move immediately. I’m an arm’s length away when her eyes flutter closed and she falls to the ground.
Not again.
I dive to the ground just in time to get a hand under her head before it connects with the floor.
Sadie is on her knees, her arms under Avery helping to brace her for the fall as well.
Now that I know this sometimes happens, I’m not freaking out as much as I did the first time, but I still don’t like this.
Watching her crumble to the floor, helpless, breaks something inside of me.
I can only hope this is the last time I ever have to bear witness to her fainting like this.
“Avery, wake up, baby.” She doesn’t wake up, and I see Sadie start stroking her arm trying to make her try to come to as well.
“We ran into her ex outside.”
My head snaps up. “You what?”
Sadie shoots me a sympathetic look. I clench my jaw, wanting to run outside to find the bastard but Avery is my priority. I’m pushing the hair off her forehead gently when her eyes begin to flutter open.
The doorman rushes to us with a bottle of water and towel, handing it to us in a rush. “Here. Did she hit her head? Should I call an ambulance?”
Sadie handles the doorman, explaining that she’s going to be okay, and I keep my focus on the beautiful woman below me.
“Welcome back, Aves.” I continue to stroke her hair until she gains enough strength to sit up. I scoot in close behind her to give her support if she needs to lean on me. She drops her head back against my shoulder and I kiss the side of her head.
“Let me know when you think you can stand.”
Avery nods into me but doesn’t say anything.
Sadie lowers back to her knees and grabs Avery’s hand. “I’m going to head out to give you two some space and time to chat. You got this?” she asks.
“Of course. Thank you for taking care of my girl.”
Sadie smirks, and I realize what I just said.
Oh well. If I have it my way, Avery will be more than just my girl after all is said and done.
Sadie gives Avery’s hand a squeeze and then stands to leave.
We remain on the lobby floor for a few minutes.
People are walking by, wondering what the hell is going on, but I pay them no mind.
They need to keep their eyes forward and mind their own fucking business.
Avery turns her head so she’s looking at me. “I don’t know if I’m ready to walk. Maybe you can move me to the chairs so we can get out of everyone’s way?”
I have a better idea.
I stand and reach down, scooping Avery into my arms so I’m cradling her. Instead of taking her to the chairs in the lobby, I walk straight back to the private elevator. Avery doesn’t protest, she simply drops her head on my shoulder again and closes her eyes.
The doorman jogs up to the elevator, scanning his own card so I don’t have to reach into my wallet and get my own.
I give him a nod in thanks after he pushes the button for the penthouse.
The ride up to my apartment is quiet until I hear Avery sniffle.
When I look down, her eyes are still closed but there’s a lone tear falling down her cheek.
I lean down and kiss her softly on the forehead just as the elevator comes to a stop.
Not wasting a single second, I carry Avery into the master bedroom and lay her down on my bed.
“Why am I in your bed? You can take me to my room.”
Brushing my thumb across her cheek to wipe away a tear, I lean in and kiss her gently on the lips. “I’m going to run you a bath. Is that okay?”
She closes her eyes and nods, hiccupping, trying to keep the tears at bay. “I’ll be right back.” I lean down and kiss her one more time then jog into my bathroom to prepare her a bath.
I’m a big dude, but I love a good soak, so I look underneath the sink and pull out some Epsom salt, candles, and lavender bubble bath.
Remembering what I read online about heat exasperating POTS symptoms, I find the right temperature, not scalding but warm enough that she won’t catch a chill, and set everything up for her.
After everything’s ready, I walk back out to my bedroom and scoop Avery up again.
“I can probably walk ten steps into the bathroom, you big ogre.”
Hearing Avery make a joke eases the anxiety that’s coursing through me after everything that’s happened this afternoon.
I shake my head. “What fun would that be?”
Avery laughs quietly, and then I set her on the counter next to the sink. I give her a once-over, noticing the sadness that her eyes still carry, but the color is returning to her cheeks.
“I read online that hot tubs and heat aren’t great for POTS so I hope the water isn’t too cold for you.”
Avery gives me a soft smile. “Thanks. I’m not sure if my fainting was POTS related or I was just overwhelmed from…everything.”
I nod, then reach for the hem of her shirt. “Let me help you, just in case.”
“Connor.” She says my name in an accusatory tone.
“I promise, there’s no funny business. I won’t even look. Just…let me help you. You scared me down there, Aves.”
Avery nods, and I help her remove her shirt. I keep my eyes focused on the wall behind her and help her down off the counter. Next, I help her shimmy out of her leggings and immediately turn around to face the other direction.
“I’ll be out in my room. Call out if you need anything.”
“Thanks. I will.”
I nod to nobody then turn and leave the room. Hopping onto the bed, I pull my phone out of my pocket and pull up my social media app. I’m about to learn everything there is to know about Bryan fucking Murphy. He’s going to wish he wasn’t playing against me tomorrow.
I pull up his page and spend the next few minutes creeping his photos. He’s just as douchey as I remember. Every picture is of him flaunting his money in some way. I’m clicking on a shot of him and a Lamborghini that my six-foot-five ass would never be able to fit into when I hear Avery.
I set my phone down and swing my legs over the bed, checking to see if I heard what I think I did. There it is again. Avery isn’t just crying. She’s sobbing. Without a second thought, I’m rushing to the door.
Knock, knock. “Avery, are you okay?”
There’s no answer. I lean my ear against the door and hear more crying so I knock again.
“Avery, I’m coming in.”
I wait for her to tell me no, but it never comes. Slowly, I turn the doorknob and push the door open. There, sitting in the tub with her knees pulled to her chest, her face beat red and blotchy, is my favorite girl. Sobs wrack her body and the water sloshes with each shake.
There’s only one thing on my mind. I need to hold her.
I reach behind my back, and in one swift movement, I pull my shirt off over my head. As quickly as I can muster, I take my socks and pants off, and slowly climb into the tub wearing only my boxer briefs.
Avery’s head is still down on her knees but she falls against my chest as soon as I’m behind her. I wrap my arms around her and pull her into me as tight as I can.
“Shh. I got you. I’m here, baby. I got you. You’re going to be okay.”
I repeat the sentiments over and over as Avery continues to let out every feeling she’s been holding onto. The tighter I hold her, the calmer she becomes. It doesn’t take long until she’s all cried out and limp in my arms.
“I’m sorry,” she whispers.
“You have nothing to be sorry for.” I wait for her to say something, but she remains silent. Leaning down, I kiss the back of her head. “Can you sit up for me, angel?”
Slowly, Avery sits up and tries to scoot away. I pull her into me until her back is pressed against my chest. “I didn’t say move away,” I tease. “Can I wash your hair for you?”
This question finally elicits a reaction out of her. She whips her head to me so fast, droplets of water fly off her hair straight into my eyes.
Her mouth is open, but no words come out. It’s then I notice that her eyes are transfixed on the tattoo that covers my heart.
“You got a tattoo.”
I nod. “I did.”
“It’s a tattoo of the Big Dipper.”
“It is.”
She scoots back a tad to get a better look, then reaches out to run her fingers over the ink. “Are those the same woods we used to go to together to stargaze?”
I grab her hand with mine and place it over my heart. “They are.”
Avery’s eyes finally move from the tattoo to my face. Her hair is wet and falling in front of her, so I push it back with my hand, keeping it nestled on the side of her head.
“I told you I’d get a tattoo of my favorite constellation one day.”
I move my hand from her head to her arm and slowly lift it to my mouth. Gently, I place kisses on each of her freckles that look like the Big Dipper.
Her chest moves up and down as she tries to digest what she just learned. Not wanting her to get more worked up today, I steer the conversation back to where it was before she saw the tattoo. “Can I wash your hair now?”
Her lips tip up the slightest bit.
“You want to wash my hair?”
I reach for my shampoo, careful not to burn my arm on one of the many candles I’ve lit, and squirt some into my hand.
“Hell yeah, I wanna wash your hair.”
Avery laughs, and the sound seems to put us both at ease. She shakes her head and turns so the back of her head is to me again. “You are so weird.”
I reach forward and start lathering the shampoo in her hair. Once her hair is covered, I use my fingers to gently massage her scalp like my hairdresser does. Yes, I have a hairdresser. Sue me.
Avery tilts her head back so she’s looking at the ceiling, clearly enjoying this as much as I am. My enjoyment is accelerated the moment a moan escapes her mouth.
“God, that feels so good.”
There is absolutely no way to hide what I’m feeling now. I have no intentions of going anywhere sexual tonight, but the woman of my dreams is naked in front of me, my hands are in her hair, and she’s moaning. I try like hell but it’s no use. Keeping my dick down is impossible.
Avery feels it rub against her back and laughs. This time when she turns to talk, her voice isn’t broken. No, this time it’s flirtatious. “Someone getting a little excited back there?”
I take my hand out of her hair and splash water at her. “Stop. It’s not my fault. You’re all wet and soapy and moaning. You set me up for failure.”
She laughs and scoots back a bit, not caring about the situation poking her under the water. I spend the next five minutes rinsing and conditioning her hair before I pull her back into my arms.
“You want to talk about it?”
She shrugs once. “Today has been a lot. And then we saw Bryan and he said some terrible things. It just brought me right back to that place when I was a sad, pathetic, scorned woman.”
This time, I’m the one making her turn to look at me.
“Don’t do that. You were only that way because of the verbal and mental abuse he put you through. You walked away. That makes you strong.”
“I don’t feel strong. And I mean that both mentally and physically. I’ve cried in front of you more now than I ever did when we were kids, and I’ve lost almost all my muscle because of this stupid fucking illness.”
Her eyes cast downward and I grip her chin lightly, tilting her head back up to look at me.
“Strength is so much more than how much you can bench press, Aves. And crying doesn’t make you weak.
You’re not afraid to feel your feelings.
Your days are harder now, but you still wake up every single day and make the world around you a better place.
And if there are days you have a hard time waking up, those are the days I’ll carry the load for you.
You don’t have to do this alone anymore. ”
Avery falls into me, and I wrap my arms around her.
I’m not sure how long I hold her like that, but eventually the water begins to cool.
I’m about to tell her I’ll get out to give her privacy when she shoots up off my chest, sloshing water outside the tub.
Her breasts peek up over the water and I look toward the ceiling, trying to be respectful.
“Oh my god! Our date! I ruined tonight for us.”
“Avery, I’m really trying to be a gentleman here. Can you get back under the water please?”
She laughs and turns, leaning her back against the opposite side of the tub. Our legs are intertwined under the water and I grab her foot gently with both hands.
“Connor. What are you doing? You hate feet.”
Finally, I look at her and see her shocked expression which only makes me laugh. “I don’t hate your feet. And to be fair, they’re under the bubbles so I don’t have to look at them.”
We both laugh and she leans her head back, enjoying the foot massage I would never dream of giving anyone but her.
“You didn’t ruin anything, by the way. We can go another night. And believe it or not, I like taking care of you, Aves. You couldn’t ruin anything for me even if you tried. As long as I’m with you, I’m good.”
She pulls her foot away and floats across the water to me slowly. Her face is within an inch of mine now and my eyes drop to her lips on instinct.
“You’re very good with your words, Connor Smith.” Her lips turn into a seductive smirk and I clench my hands at my sides, fighting the urge to take her right here in the bathtub.
“Wait until you see what else I can do with this mouth.”
Avery inhales a sharp breath before she leans down and presses her lips to mine.
Losing the battle, one hand reaches to the back of her head, the other grips her hip.
I’m seconds away from pulling her on top of me when she breaks our kiss, biting my lower lip before sliding back to the opposite side of the tub.
This woman is killing me. But I can be patient because she’s worth it. She is so fucking worth it.