Loving Enough (The Enough Series Book 2) (4 page)

Jeremy

Once Rylee is out of the room, I take a moment to steady
myself. My head feels like it was used for target practice. The constant
pounding makes it difficult to focus, but I need to get answers from Bode
before sleep reels me back in. Fuck, I cannot wait for the relief sleep will
provide from this hell.  

I hate to put Bode on the spot, but right now I need to hear
the truth. He has always given it to me straight in the past, so I expect today
will be no different.

“So what the hell was Ry going on about?”

My best friend stares at me with what appears to be pity in
his eyes. That pisses me off. I do not want or need anyone’s pity and he should
fucking know better than that. Just because my body is broken does not mean I
require pity. He can shove that shit right up his ass.

“Bode, wipe that pitiful look off your face and tell me,
dammit. I know there is no way she is responsible for this. So what gives?”

With a deep breath and a hand through his hair, he finally
comes over and sits down in the chair next to the bed. Thankfully with a less
pathetic look on his face.

“J, they told us to keep the details to a minimum to keep
from overwhelming you. I don't want to cause you any more harm. Believe me when
I tell you I don't want to go through that again. I know I cannot watch your
sister go through it again.”

I feel a little bad. I know that must have been hard to deal
with. I cannot imagine how I would react if it had been one of them in my
position. They are my family, the only people in the world who matter. I have
no doubt that Bode put as much energy into worrying about Ry as he did about
me. We have always stuck to the understanding that she comes first. We made
that pact the day my parents left this earth.

“I understand, Bode, but come on. You can't expect me to be
fine with her losing it like that. The one thing we have always done is protect
Ry, no matter what. Give me the abbreviated version, the highlights, something.
Please.”

The war in his mind is evident in his eyes and I know what
he is thinking. Ry comes first. Ryan, the last fucker to forget that, was immediately
excised from her life, and ours, with a one hundred percent no return policy.

Bode is trying to decide what is best for her, telling me
the truth or protecting her by protecting me. I would be the same if I were in his
shoes, so I shouldn't blame him. Regardless, both my pain tolerance and my
patience are waning and I want answers.

“OK, brother. Only for Ry and only the highlights. We still
need to see if the rest will come back on its own. And don’t you dare tell Ry;
she will have my fucking balls for this.” We both laugh because it is true. If
she finds out that he didn’t follow the doctor’s orders to the letter, she will
kill him. She is fierce when she gets in protective mode—scares the hell out of
me.

The highlights include the fact Ry is or was dating again.
Some crazy person has been texting and threatening her. There were a few
incidents prior to my accident, but this was the first actual act of violence. The
threats are always aimed at the people in her life and not Ry, so that’s some relief.
Bode told me about Austin and I do vaguely remember meeting him, although I am
shocked that Ry would date another quarterback after the Ryan disaster. Looks
like my sister has a type.

 As I digest the information I begin to understand why Ry is
taking the blame for this, but I am one hundred percent sure she shouldn’t be.
It infuriates me that someone is messing with my sister’s life. Ry is a
sweetheart, even if she lets no one close enough to know. I love that girl with
all I have. I will be damned if we will allow some fucktard to mess with her.
Over my dead body. Or in this case, my nearly dead body. It is probably best to
keep that thought from Ry. I don’t think she would find it funny.

With the new information, I ask Bode to keep an eye on Ry. I
know they have an officer on her at all times, but I would feel better if
someone who loves her is nearby. She is not great with strangers, so it will
put my mind at ease for him to stay with her. Lord knows I am not going
anywhere.

“You know I will. Either Eric or I have been with her around
the clock since your accident and Austin comes by daily, even though she
refuses to acknowledge his presence.” Good to know that Eric and Bode were
there for her when I couldn’t be.

Just before Bode hits the door, I ask for one more favor.
“Could you ask Austin to come by and see me later? I am beat right now, but I
would like to talk to him.”

I need to know where Austin stands in this mess. If he wants
to be with my sister, then he had better come and face me. I cannot stomach the
idea of another man hurting her the way her ex-fiancé did. That was
unacceptable. Austin’s intentions had better be pure.

“No problem, man. I’m sure he would like to talk to you. He
loves Ry like crazy, and it’s got to suck being in his shoes about now.”

I can’t help chuckling. “No kidding. Ry is as stubborn as a
mule. Poor guy. Just have him come by and you distract Ry if you have to. And
thanks, man. Thanks for being here through all this.”

He nods. “Anytime, brother, that’s what family is for. Now
get some rest, I got her for now. You take care of you.”

As the door closes and I am left to ponder the strange
events of the past hour - hell, the past ten days - I am at a loss. I wish I
could remember all the details. I know there is a lot more to the story than
anyone is telling me. Maybe a little time and rest will bring it back?

I assume I will be speaking to the detective at some point. Maybe
he will shed some light on all this crap. It is a strange thing to have someone
else describe moments of your life to you, but I will take anything I can get
right now.

Trying to put my mind at ease I shift in the bed, upsetting
the rest of my broken body. Is there really no relief from this damn pain? I have
never been one to take drugs of any sort, but in this moment I am desperate for
relief. The coma may have been preferable to this state.

I press the red button on the side of my bed to buzz the
nurses’ station. I am greeted by a sweet voice.

“Yes Mister Ash what can I do for you?”

Clearing my throat, hoping I don’t sound too needy, I ask,
“Is there anything I can take for this pain?”

Like music to my ears I am met with a “Yes, sir. I will be
right there.”

Moments later, nurse Michelle enters the room and plunges a
syringe of pain relief into my IV. In a flash I am drifting off into what I
hope is a dreamless and pain-free sleep.

Rylee

From the moment, Jeremy woke up until now my overwhelming
emotion has been joy. Happiness, elation, walking on cloud nine - all describe
my relieved state. The moment Jeremy awoke was probably one of the greatest
moments of my life. Just knowing that I would not go through the rest of my
life without hearing his voice or seeing him smile brought me to tears. I was ecstatic.
I
am
ecstatic.

Leaving J’s room, however, the initial high begins to wear off.
I am hit by a tidal wave of conflicting emotions all competing for space in my
overtired head. Every emotion I have locked away or hidden from in the past ten
days comes rushing forward. I am a wreck, with tears running down my face and
sobs lurking in the back of my throat.

I make my way out to the all too familiar ICU waiting room
and take up residence in my usual gray chair in the corner. Unable to get a
hold on myself, I curl up with my knees to my chest and let the tears flow. My
tears are a cathartic release. I haven’t slept more than a few hours each night
since J was brought in and I am exhausted. Add the stress of his injuries and
the continued threats, and I am a mess.

J asked me to go home and take a nap and shower, but I
cannot bear to leave just yet. He has only been awake a little over an hour.
What if there is a relapse, or worse? Staying near is the only reasonable option
for me at this point.

I have seen enough medical dramas on television to know that
it is when you think things are OK that they like to pull the rug from beneath
you. I know my life is not a television show, but it has rivaled one lately. Maybe
I’ll go home tomorrow if he is still doing well.

All these thoughts run through my head as I try to get a
grasp on my wayward emotions, but it is no use. Instead, I bury my head in my
knees and cry. Thankfully I am alone up here for once. Well, except for my
bodyguard. He probably thinks I am certifiable, but that’s fine.

Entranced in my world of tears, relief, and exhaustion, I am
startled when I feel strong arms wrap me up and pull me in. The familiar
fragrance of crisp, clean body wash mixed with the heavenly scent of pure man
tells me that the arms belong to Austin. Without hesitation, I collapse into
him, content to let the world fall away for a moment.

All the anger and resentment I thought I felt towards him
melts away at the tenderness of his touch. None of this is his fault: it’s
mine. I failed to protect them, something I will not do again. But right now I
want to enjoy the safety of the man next to me. There is no place I would
rather be.

He runs smoothing strokes up and down my back before placing
a feather-light kiss on my hair. Unfortunately, our situation prevents this
from becoming permanent. It pisses me off that someone has the power to keep us
apart. What kind of coward sits back and sends veiled threats, refusing to step
up for what they want? If the lunatic ever came forward, the only thing I would
give him is a right cross to his jaw and a one-way ticket to jail.

For the longest time Austin doesn't say a word. I am sure he
thinks the worst has happened. I mean, who sits in a waiting room bawling
because their family member is alive? Me, that's who. The new pathetic excuse
for Rylee Ash. His loving touch sends my emotions further overboard until I bottom
out. Exhaustion becomes my primary state.

Once my breathing evens out and the gut twisting sobs stop,
he finally asks, “What happened, Ry?”

The concern in his voice is genuine and the sound of it
soothes my damaged heart. I try to wipe the tears from my cheeks before turning
to face the most beautiful pair of blue eyes I have ever seen. They are a deep
shade of blue today, reflecting his somber disposition. The love and compassion
clear in them pierce my soul, reminding me how much I love and miss this man.

“He woke up. Austin, he is awake.”

My voice comes out as a whisper with a whole new set of
feelings bubbling up. Why can't things ever be simple?

Satisfied in my current position, I snuggle into Austin's chest
and just breathe. His shirt smells of laundry detergent but it doesn’t
overpower his masculine scent. The potent combination quiets my frazzled nerves
and relaxes my mind. He seems happy with me curled up against him, but shifts
ever so slightly so I am sitting in his lap. God, this feels amazing.

We sit in silence as if he knows that I don't have the
mental capacity to dissect anything right now. He shelters me in a cocoon,
allowing me to feel safe, to feel loved, and to take a freaking break. Not to say
I haven't felt that from Bode and Eric, but Austin is different. With Austin,
it feels like our hearts are tethered together. He gives me strength and pulls
away the pain. He is my happy place. My home.

Absorbing his comfort, it breaks my heart to know that our
time is limited. Until the stalker situation is put to rest, my priority will be
keeping those I love out of harm’s way. And loving Austin means I will have to
say goodbye to keep him safe. For now.

We sit wound around each other as others come through the
waiting room to visit their loved ones. I never see their faces, I only hear
their footsteps. From the frantic to the measured, you can tell a lot about a
person by the pace of their steps in a place like this.

The monotony of this hospital is depressing. Some get good
news and others are told the worst. Either way, this place takes its visitors
on an emotional roller coaster, one I am eager to get off.

 Sprawled out across Austin’s lap I am more comfortable and
relaxed than I have been in the last ten days. But I cannot imagine our
position is comfortable for him. He is sandwiched between the cold tile floor
and me.

I turn in his arms to look at his adoring face. “Austin, you
have to be uncomfortable.”

It is obvious he is, yet I really don't want to move from
this spot. It is selfish, but once we get up this little bubble will burst and
I have no idea when I will get a chance to feel him next to me again. I wish we
could stay nestled together forever. I wish we could shut out the outside
world, pull those closest to us into the bubble, and live happily ever after.
But that is not an option in real life, only in fairytales.

“Ry, I am fine. I would sit in hot lava if it meant you
would be with me.”

The pain and sadness in his eyes pull heavily on my fragile
heartstrings. Without thinking, I grasp his strong jaw and pull him into a
kiss. It is not a heated passionate kiss, rather one meant to tell him how much
I love him. We trade lazy, measured movements full of love and longing.

His hands slide up my neck and into my hair, sending a
shiver down my spine. My stomach flips and my hands shake against his strong
back. I miss this so much. I want him so much.

Breaking the kiss, I rest my forehead against his. “I love
you, Aus, you have to know that.”

His chest rises and falls with what feels like a deep sigh
of relief.

“I hoped you still did, because I am still madly in love
with you.”

Happy to let now be now, we shift a touch to give Austin's
leg a little relief before I settle back down against his hard chest. After a
few minutes, my exhaustion consumes me and I fall asleep cradled in the arms of
my prince charming.