Page 54 of Escape

I followed behind him out of the room, and a moment later, after taking a handful of steps to the right just outside of the room, Huck and I were standing in what I assumed had to be his bedroom. “This is yours,” I stated.

Huck didn’t hesitate to confirm I’d guessed correctly. “It is. That’s why I thought the room we were just in was the best one for you. I thought you might rest a bit easier knowing that I was close by.”

With Huck being all business about this whole situation, I wasn’t quite sure what prompted my train of thought to be any different than his. I should have been focused on the fact that he’d be near if I needed him, that he was giving me this safe place to stay. And yet, my thoughts were entirely on the fact that I was standing just inside Huck’s bedroom, looking at the bed he slept in every night.

If only the high school version of Josie could see me now.

“It’s—” I stopped to clear my throat. “It’s nice. You have a beautiful home, Huck.”

Huck shrugged for the second time in a matter of minutes. “Thanks. It’s okay, I guess. It gets the job done and has everything I need and then some, so I can’t complain.”

I guessed it made sense for him to have the reaction he did. He hadn’t ever been in a position that left him feeling the way I had all my life. The way he lived now was just more of what he’d been accustomed to; life had been so very different for me. “Well, you’ve lived my dream, and as jealous as I am, I’m also happy for you.”

And I was.

There was nobody in this world who I believed deserved to have lived a good life more than Huck.

“There’s no need to be jealous any longer, Josie, because this is going to be your reality for the foreseeable future. You’re never going to have anything less than what you have now,” he insisted. “Speaking of which, I didn’t forget what you said at the hospital, and I think now is the perfect time to get yourself comfortable.”

“What did I say at the hospital?” I asked, unsure what he was referring to.

“You couldn’t wait to take a shower,” he reminded me.

“Oh, you’re right. Would you mind if I attempted that now?” I questioned him.

He shook his head. “Not at all. You’re welcome to do that in the spare bathroom, but you can also use my bathroom in here. I’ve got a soaking tub, which might be more comfortable and easier for you right now.”

My ear dropped to my shoulder, my heart hammered in my chest, and my eyes roamed over his handsome face. “That sounds amazing, but I don’t want to overstep.”

“Nonsense. If that’s what you want, that’s what you’re going to do. I’ve got spare towels and washcloths in there, and I can grab you some toiletries I had my mom pick up when she was out. I figured you’d want some things that smelled nice, and my mom was the best one to ask to make that happen.”

I loved that he had gone out of his way to make this stage of my life, this temporary stay at his place, a comfortable one. “I feel like I keep saying thank you, and it’s not enough, but I don’t know what else to say.”

“I know you’re grateful, Josie. You don’t have to keep saying it. Why don’t you make your way to the bathroom while I grab those few things you’ll need out of the other bathroom?”

I did as Huck suggested, and by the time I made it to the bathroom and took in the space, Huck returned with his arms full.

“Wow, you didn’t skimp, did you?”

He let out a small laugh and shook his head. “I wanted you to have everything you’d need.” After setting everything down on the edge of the tub, he asked, “Do you think you’ll need anything else?”

He had covered it all. Shaking my head, I answered, “I don’t think so.”

Huck held my gaze in silence for a few moments, questions or concern lingering in his stare. Whatever was going through his mind, he didn’t share. Instead, he dipped his chin and said, “Okay. I’ll step out and let you get to it. If you need anything, just yell.”

“Thank you.”

Once Huck left the bathroom and closed the door, I turned on the bathtub. As it filled up, I went about getting myself stripped out of my clothes. It wasn’t exactly the easiest thing I’d done, but I had the time to spare while the water filled the tub.

Eventually, finally, I carefully stepped over the edge of the tub and sank down into the warm water. It was heavenly.

I dropped my head back onto the soft, padded pillow on the side of the tub and closed my eyes. And for the first time in my life, I felt a peace come over me that I never knew existed.

It was all thanks to Huck.

FOURTEEN

Huck