Page 26 of Imbalanced Minds
“Ah… I suppose with all the ranting he did about boys you dated or seemed interested in, I took on board and compared myself to them. Sometimes it was as if Justin was on a warpath and his tirade was aimed at me personally.”
“That is so bullshit!” I rant.
“You’re telling me. But you also have to understand, Justin’s my best friend and no matter what, I couldn’t go behind his back and do that to him.”
“What about now then? What’s changed from when we were younger up until now?” I ask, fully intent on opening this subject right up. Fuck ripping off the band-aid on this conversation, that bad boy has been off for years. It’s the scar we need to address.
“You’re a woman who can make her own decisions. If life around the Jones family has taught me anything, and yes, I may be a slow learner, it’s that happiness is the highest level of success. No matter what life throws at you, whom you choose to be with or what you choose to do with your life, it’s that happiness is your strength and I want to be your happiness.”
I’m a sniffling mess. As I reach over for my tissues on the nightstand, a searing pain shoots across my ribs where they’re bruised and still very tender. Recoiling my arm to my side, Cory jumps up and comes to my aid. He helps me get settled in bed and passes my tissue box so I can take a handful; I’ll certainly need them.
“I think we should save this conversation for another time. You need to rest.”
“No, I’m fine. It’s just…” sniffle, “those words were incredibly sweet.”
“I meant every one of them. We can discuss what we’re going to do once you’re healed. I’ll wait.”
As if he just declared his undying love for me—which he clearly didn’t—I burst out crying. My emotions have a mind of their own and I can’t stop the floodgates opening.
“Do you need anything?”
“A cuddle would be nice.” I’m going for gold, if he means every word, that he wants to be my happiness, then he can start here.
Taking his shirt off, he rounds the bed and carefully climbs under the blankets. Instantly, his body heat encases me in warmth, and I try wriggling over to him. Noticing my intentions, he makes quick work of sliding over to me, letting me use his body as a pillow.
“Ah, this is nice,” I whisper, closing my eyes and enjoying the comfort.
“It really is. Sweet dreams, Angel.”