“Did you know Nicole was still taking OxyContin?”
He hadn’t known. “I knew they were prescribed to her right after her accident.”
“Well, yes. She’s still taking them. While it’s not Oxycodone, both of them are highly addictive. The Oxycodone shouldn’t be consumed longer than a week or so. But, her sister drug, OxyContin shouldn’t be taken for six weeks either. Anyway, Nicole was more anxious and energetic than I’ve ever seen her. However, over the long term, the effects change. The bottom line is I’m concerned.”
Davis looked at her skeptically. “Nicole would never get hooked on drugs, Dana. She’s too smart for that. If she’s still taking them, it’s because a doctor prescribed them for her.”
“I’m not saying that Nicole has a problem, but keep a look out for the symptoms. Mood swings going from super energetic to barely being lucid, anxiety, and nausea, just to name a few.”
He had seen all those things in Nicole. Impossible. She was stressed out nothing more. “I’ll keep that in mind, but I’m sure you’re wrong.”
Dana wasn’t going to push it. If her suspicions were right, everyone would know soon enough. “Of course. I hope that I am very wrong. But, Davis, you should know that being smart or your financial situation or social status has never dictated someone becoming addicted to drugs. It’s a disease, and a challenge that people from all walks of life can face.”
Davis heard Dana, but there was no way Nicole had a problem with drugs.
Dana was done being the Angel of Doom. Davis and Nicole had enough to deal with. So, she tried to lighten the atmosphere and smiled. “I didn’t come all of this way not to visit with my godchildren. Where’s that handsome little boy?”
Davis was caught up in all that Dana had said. There was a lot to unpack. For now, he’d let it go. He returned her smile with one that never reached his tired green eyes. “He’s upstairs taking a nap, thank God. Our nanny had an emergency and had to take off. Rayna should be home in about an hour.”
Her smile turned into a devilish grin. “Then I’d better get on my godmommy duties and go wake him up! Send Rayna to me when she gets home. You, go get some rest. I have the entire day free and plan to spend it with the kids.”
To say he was grateful was an understatement. “Thanks. I think I will do just that.” Davis left initially thinking he would crawl into bed with Nicole, but he was still feeling raw at her from their fight. Instead, of going into their room, he decided the guest room was probably best.
Chapter 16
Rayna had Davis wrapped around her fingers just like her mother. She had convinced him to let her sit with Nicole while she slept last night until bedtime. Only Rayna had fallen asleep with her arms wound tightly around Nicole’s neck, and he didn’t have the heart to move her. When DJ saw the two of them in bed, he pitched a fit until he was snuggled between them too. Davis ran a tired hand down his face. That was his family. The people he loved the most in this world, yet, he and Nicole couldn’t be further apart emotionally.
Davis hated sleeping alone the past couple of nights. Not that all the tossing and turning he’d done could really be considered sleeping. Still, in the early morning, he lay on his back staring up at the ceiling, wondering what the hell had happened to his life. How did things get so out of control? How had he allowed the most important relationship in the world to get that way too? Maybe Dana was right. He rubbed his eyes and forehead as if it could lighten the heaviness on his mind and heart. Have I really been a workaholic and part-time husband and father because I am afraid that what happened to my parents and sister might happen to them? He answered himself. “My fear is going to cost me my family and marriage. I can’t lose them.”
Davis heard the door to their bedroom open. She was up. He swung his legs over the side of the bed and got up too. He quickly made it out of his room before Nicole had gotten too far down the hall. His voice was gruff. “You’re awake.”
Nicole turned. She was hesitant. “Yes.” Davis was standing in the hallway shirtless wearing only a pair of pajama bottoms. Even in her current state, it was difficult to ignore how much she had missed him—emotionally and physically.
His arms were folded. There wasn’t an ounce of fat anywhere on his body. The man was ripped, and when he focused that hooded look at her, it always made her insides turn to molten lava. She forgot about everything else. It had been six long weeks since the last time they had made love, and she not only missed him but needed him. Nicole missed running her hands all over his muscled body. But it wasn’t all physical. She missed their emotional closeness. Davis grounded her and gave her a sense of peace—a sense of belonging—normalcy.
She realized she was staring and looked down at the floor then back up. It was time to put her big girl panties on. Nicole hugged herself as she walked in his direction. “I owe you a huge apology.” When she was only inches away, Nicole took a deep breath. “There was no excuse for my insensitivity about your sister.
