Chapter 43
Jade
I stir awake and rub my eyes with the palms of my hands, realizing I’m currently using Hunter’s chest as a pillow. I must’ve fallen asleep in his arms last night as I broke down. But he’s still here. It warms my heart a little that he’d do that. He literally dropped everything to be here for me, no questions asked. Looking at his beautiful face his lips are slightly parted, his eyelashes fluttering in his sleep and my chest tightens. I start to sit up when his arm that’s around my back tightens, pulling me back down. “Not yet, Tink,” he mumbles, his eyes still closed, and I snuggle back into him.
“I need to get ready for work soon. I’ve told you before, my boss is a grump. He will punish me if I’m late.”
He huffs out a laugh. “We’ve got a few more minutes. I’m not ready to let you go just yet.”
“Thank you,” I whisper as he brings his other arm around my body, effectively cocooning me into his chest. He glides his fingers up and down my spine. I melt further into his touch and his warm skin soothes the chaotic thoughts tumbling around my head. I know he understands what I’m thanking him for and it isn’t the extra few minutes in bed. He didn’t say everything was going to be alright, feeding me the same old lines that everyone thinks you want or need to hear when you’re suffering. No, he let me offload on him, and then when I’d cried until I had no more tears left, he held me, showing me that I’m not alone.
Reluctantly when Hunter leaves to get ready for work I do the same, promising him that I am okay and need to be kept busy.
“So he stayed over?” Lily questions.
“Seems that way.” I lean against the cupboards next to her. “Sorry I was so emotional last night.”
“This is something you have to work on lady, stop apologizing for your emotions. And if there was ever a moment to let those emotions out it was last night. You know we all love your mum. She’s like a second mum to us all. But seeing you so broken last night it hurt. I didn't know what to do for you because I literally can’t solve this. But when Hunter showed up, I knew he was what you needed, knew he’d take care of you.” Tears form in my eyes at her words.
“He did, I feel safe when he’s near,” I whisper. “I think I’m falling for him.”
“You’re just figuring that out now?”
“What do you mean?”
“Oh honey, we’ve known for a while. Just waiting for you to catch up.”
“Just doesn’t seem fair that I’m falling for someone as my mum is fighting to get her life back.”
She takes my hands in hers. “Your mum is one of the most selfless humans I know. She wants this for you. She wants her pride and joy, her little gem to be happy to be with her soulmate. She’ll want to witness that. Knowing you’re cared for and happy that’s all she ever wanted.”
“I know that deep down. I’m being irrational but I can’t let myself get wrapped up in Hunter when my mum and Henry need me.”
“You won’t and he won’t let you either. Something tells me that man would give you the world and would never stop you from doing what’s right. So let him support you.” Gripping my shoulders she looks at me, pain etched on her face. “Let him in, Jade.”