We sit in silence while we sip on our drinks, lost in our thoughts.
“Don’t you think the smell in this place is stronger than ever?” I ask Bailey when the silence and the incessant beeping becomes too much to bear.
“Uh… smells like normal to me.”
I nod. I’ve probably just been sitting surrounded by it for too long. Although I’ve no idea how long I’ve actually been here.
“Have they said anything about timings or…” Bailey trails off. She wants to ask the question about as much as I want to hear the answer.
“Nope. All they’ve said is that they don’t think she’ll wake up. But it’s all guesswork, really.”
“Would you like me to get you anything? Call anyone… Corey perhaps?”
“That probably wouldn’t be a good idea.”
Her brows rise. “But—”
“I fucked it up.”
“You fucked it up? Wow, I wasn’t expecting it to happen that way around.” She says it as a joke, and on any other day I might be amused by it, but not today.
“I tried to help, and he’s taken it the wrong way. He turned up at work earlier, pissed off.”
“What did you do?”
I blow out a breath, not really wanting to tell Bailey his secrets, but I know that I’m not going to get out of it.
“He’s been struggling money-wise. He’s got family issues, and he’s supporting them instead of looking after himself.”
“Oh God, Harlow. What did you do?” she asks again, knowing me well enough to know my penchant for helping everyone I can.
“I paid his overdue rent…”
“Harlow.”
“And another six months’ rent.”
“Jesus. You didn’t tell him either, did you?”
I shake my head. “He stormed into our meeting, shouting about not being a charity case.”
“Fucking hell. You should have told him. Or at least offered.”
“He wouldn’t have accepted it. He was going to be evicted, B. I had to do something.”
“I get it. I do. But—”
“He doesn’t,” I finish for her. “I told him about my family. About how they…” I hiccup, unable to say the words while surrounded by too much death already.
“Really?” Pride lights up her features.
“It felt good, actually. I felt lighter. He was incredible. He…” I trail off, thinking about just how sweet and gentle he was. How he gave me exactly what I needed in that moment. “I don’t want it to be over,” I admit. “I think… I think I’m falling for him.”
“You think?” she asks with a quirked brow.
“Oh shush. Do you have to look so smug?”
“I’m just glad you’re the one with the man problems for once.”
“Great, thanks,” I mutter, making her chuckle.
“He’ll come around. It was probably just a shock. It’s not the kind of surprise that most people can afford to do for the guy they’re dating.
“Give it a few days and he’ll be begging for you to come back. You mark my words. That man is obsessed with you.”
“We’ll see,” I whisper. “He’s not exactly my top priority right now.” I look at my aunt, who’s still lying there in the same condition as when I raced through the door earlier.
Something tells me I’m in this for the long haul.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Harlow
I take up residence in the uncomfortable chair by my aunt’s beside for four days. Four long days full of endless nurses and doctor’s visits. Of sympathetic looks from Bailey and Rylee when they turn up with decent coffee and try to convince me to leave.
The doctor said I could stay as long as I liked, and I’m taking him up on the offer. I wasn’t there for her when she needed me most, there’s no way in hell I’m leaving her now. I’d never forgive myself.
“Any change?” Bailey asks when she stops off on her way home from a shift at The House.
“They think we’re at the end. Vitals are dropping.”
“Shit.”
“It’s okay. It’s what she would want,” I say, trying to hold my voice steady. Nothing about this is okay, but at least she’s not suffering. It could have been much worse.
“I just stopped in to bring you this.” She hands over a bag and a coffee. “I know you won’t eat otherwise. I need to go and do a few things, but I’ll be back later, okay?”
“Sure, thank you. How many shots of coffee are in this?” I ask when the strong scent hits my nose. My stomach turns over at the smell, reminding me that I can’t remember the last time I ate.
“It’s just a standard cappuccino, H.” She narrows her eyes at me. “Are you feeling okay?”
I can’t help but think it’s a stupid question. I’ve not left this room in four days. I’ve been sleeping in a chair and only nibbled on some of the food she’s turned up with. I’m only wearing different clothes from when I arrived because she brought them for me.
“No, I’m really fucking not.” My voice cracks with emotion and exhaustion.
Unfazed by my outburst, Bailey reaches over and takes my hand, squeezing in support.
“You really need to come home to sleep.”
I glance over my shoulder at my aunt. “I will… soon.”
Bailey nods and continues to hold my hand. “I’ll be back later, okay?” She squeezes again before dropping a kiss to my cheek.
“Thank you,” I whisper as she walks away.
Sitting back in the chair that has become my home, I take a sip of coffee. The warmth soothes me, but much like the smell, I don’t get the joy I usually do when the taste hits me.
Fucking hell, I need some sleep.
Nibbling at the pastry, I watch my aunt sleep, wondering if today is going to be the day I’m forced to walk out of here and leave her behind.
For her sake, I hope it is. Guilt swamps me at having such thoughts, but I know it’s what she wants, and I need to think about her right now, not me. She always told me that when the time came, she didn’t want it to drag on. I remember
