Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 79433 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79433 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
I cleaned up all the containers and leftover food, then lifted her into my arms and carried her up the steps to her old bedroom. When I walked in, I studied the space.
Everything was exactly the way it had been when I’d last stood in this room. The light pink walls seemed to brighten it before I’d even turned on a light. Her bed sat in the middle of the opposite wall between two large windows. There was a bookcase on one side of the bed that held so many books they were practically crammed in there. Adelaide had always had a love for reading. On top of the bookcase sat trophies from when she did competitive dance for a few years. The jacket she’d earned from playing soccer for all four years of high school was hung up on a hook on the wall next to the bookshelf. A large dresser was on the other side of the room, covered with makeup and God knows what else. The room had shit everywhere—she had obviously unpacked but not put everything away yet.
The last time I’d stood in here, our lives had changed. Eighteen years old and over-the-moon in love with Adelaide. That was the day I’d told her I was going to the Naval Academy and then joining the Navy. She’d been so happy and proud…but I had seen the pain in her eyes. I’d recognized it because I’d felt a similar pain after deciding to join the Navy. It meant Adelaide and I would be separated from one another for months on end.
It was that day when we’d mutually decided we would break up after graduation. It had been one of the hardest moments of my life. Second only to saying goodbye to Adelaide when I’d left for the Academy.
While trying not to step on anything—like the clothes and shoes that were all over the floor since Adelaide had always been messy—I placed her on the bed.
She stirred, letting out a contented sigh as she did a little stretch. Then she groaned and settled into the bed. “Thank you, Gannon.”
I pushed away some of the hair stuck to her forehead. “You’re welcome.”
Adelaide had taken her temperature again before she’d drifted to sleep. It had been a hundred and one, so I’d given her some Motrin. Now, she pulled the sheet and blanket up to her chin and relaxed a bit more into her pillow, already fighting sleep again. “Will you stay for a bit? Please.”
Warmth filled my body at the request. Drawing back the covers some, I slipped underneath next to her. “Of course, I will. Go to sleep. I won’t leave, I promise you.”
Snuggling her body against mine, Adelaide mumbled something.
“What was that, sweetheart?”
Her voice barely above a whisper, she said, “I love you, Gannon.”
My heart started to thunder so hard and fast, I was sure Adelaide could probably feel it moving the entire bed. I hadn’t heard her say those words in so long, and now I realized how much I’d needed to hear them.
I drew in a long breath before slowly letting it out. Wrapping my arm around her, I drew her even closer. Kissing her forehead, I whispered, “I love you, too, Addie.”
Adelaide
“I love you, too, Addie.”
Gannon’s quiet words had played over and over in my mind until I’d fallen asleep in his arms. I had missed being held by him even more than I’d realized.
When I woke up, his arm still wrapped securely around me, I snuggled into his side. I felt like shit. My body ached and my head was pounding, but the smell of that familiar cologne he wore seemed to make all that fade away.
“Hey, are you up?” His voice sounded like he’d just woken as well.
“I am.”
“How do you feel?”
I attempted to sit up, then fell back against him as the room spun. “Well, I feel like the room is spinning and someone hit me with a dump truck and ran over my body about a dozen times.”
Gannon let out a soft chuckle. “What do you need?”
“Water, maybe some drugs, and the bathroom.”
He gently removed his arm from around me and slipped out of bed. “I can help with all of that.”
I wasn’t even going to argue. Normally I was a strong, independent woman, but damnit, I felt horrible, and it was nice having someone take care of me. No, not just someone. Gannon. It was nice having Gannon take care of me.
“Take it easy standing up,” he said, helping me out of bed.
I gripped onto him and closed my eyes. “God, make it stop. The room is spinning.”
He slid his arm around my waist and slowly helped me walk to the bathroom that was attached to my room. Lord, I hope there isn’t anything embarrassing out in the open.
“Okay, turn around and hold onto my shoulders. I’ll pull your sweats and panties down.”