Page 42 of Guarded By Death
I quietly tiptoe towards Pierce and he cracks a grin when he sees me, pulling me swiftly onto his lap. "When did you sleep?" I whisper, looking over his bloodshot eyes.
He nods his head to the door, "I haven't.”
"Where’s Zack?" I ask curiously, I know he refused to leave with Liv earlier.
"I sent him home," he replies flatly.
I nod, "Oh. Well, you need to get some sleep." I run my hands through his messy hair.
His defined dimples melt me when he smiles. "Don't worry about me. Please go back to bed. It's six in the morning," he whispers, pointing to the clock above the door.
"I feel better than I have in days, I can't go back to sleep," I give him a pleading look. "Can we go?"
"It hasn't been eight hours.”
I can’t help but laugh. "You know better than they do, am I dying?" I ask. I know I'm fine but I'm trying to get my point across.
His body goes tense under me and he pinches the bridge of his nose. "Bed," he states, gesturing his hand behind us.
"Not tired," I tell him, but he rolls his eyes.
His eyes bore into mine. "I wasn't asking you."
"Fine." I quickly jump from his lap, annoyed that he's demanding me.
He grabs my arm before I can get too far. "Please, Scar, it's been a long night. I just want you to be well-rested." He pulls me down for a quick kiss before I climb back on the cold hospital bed. I may have been more tired than I thought as I drift off quickly.
This past week feels like a dream, especially now. Everything is a blur.
What if I wake and he's no longer here?
Twenty-four
Pancakes
Iwake again, this time in Pierce's arms as he places me in a car and buckles me in.
Mom’s chipper voice lets me know I'm in her car. "I checked her out, they told me to just watch her and give her plenty of water and food." She pauses. "Also, Pierce, you’re more than welcome to stay. On the couch, of course," she adds.
I wonder why she's okay with that? Did he make her okay with it? I don't think he would do that to her since he won't do it to me, but I'll ask him later.
I shift in my seat and open my eyes, for a moment I'm blinded by the bright natural light. My eyes got used to the faux lighting in the hospital room. "What time is it?" My voice is thick with sleep.
"Hey, sleeping beauty," Mom says. "It's ten," she adds with a smile.
I wipe my eyes. "Where’s Pierce?" I hope my voice doesn't sound frantic.
"Right here," he reaches up from the backseat to touch my shoulder.
"Good," I say under my breath which earns a laugh from Mom.
She looks both ways before pulling onto the empty street. "Feel better?" she asks.
"Much," I reply with a smile.
She sighs, "I have to work honey, I hope that's okay; Pierce can stay with you during the day." She looks towards the backseat. "If you aren't busy, of course," she adds.
"No, it's fine I'll take care of her," he reassures her. It warms my heart listening to the two of them talk, she must like him.