“Oh,” she said. Hearing hisexplanation made it so easy to believe him. He looked too genuine to belying. “I guess that’s how he knew I was in Chicago.”
“Yeah, only because I mentionedHadley. I was stupid. I didn’t think he’d be so determined to find you,”Garrett said. “I hope I can make it up to you.”
The door swung open then, andBrennan walked in, bringing a big smile to her face.
“They only had cherry. I hopethat’s alright,” Brennan said, holding Jell-O out in front of him.
“Cherry is my favorite.” Shetook the bowl when he handed it to her.
“I’m going to find Hadley,”Garrett said, nodding his head toward the door. “I hope you feel better,Devon. I really do.”
When their eyes met, unspokenwords passed between them. She smiled slightly at him, and he returned thegesture.
“Thanks,” Devon said just before Garrettwalked out.
Brennan loungedand kicked his feet back in the uncomfortable hospital chair as Devon ate her Jell-O. As everything was with Brennan, their time together in the hospital waseffortless. He occupied her time while she waited for the doctor to dischargeher. He told her stories about following his dad around the hospital when hewas growing up. She told him about her parents’ music, how her mom and dad workedtogether to shape and flow the song, how they had tested them out on her whenshe was younger. That was before she had decided to take another turn with herlife.
BEFORE SHE KNEW it, the doctor wasthere, checking her vitals and prescribing her more painkillers. Then, he senther on her way. The medicine really worked, and she was laughing by the timethey reached Brennan’s Jetta.
“Let’s get you back to bed. Ithink you could use another twenty hours of sleep.” He shook his head as hehelped her into the car, and then he shut the door.
When he sat down in the driver’sseat, she rested her head on his shoulder.
“Sleep sounds nice,” she said. “Will you sleep with me?”
He laughed. “Is that aninvitation?”
“Open invitation.”
“Oh man, I’m going to keep thosepainkillers around.”
“You don’t need them,” she said,sliding her hand down the front of his shorts.
He rested his hand over hers andmoved it to his thigh. “I’ll take you up on that when you can think clearlyagain.”
“I’m thinking very clear rightnow,” she said through giggles.
Brennan shook his head and lacedtheir fingers. “I’ll believe that when you can walk unaided.”
“Fine. Your loss.”
“I’m not losing anything.”
She smiled. “That’s true.”
“Your mom called while you werein the hospital.”
“She did?” she asked, confused.
“On your cell. I saw it lightup. Are you going to talk to her?”
Devon sighed and nodded herhead. “Yeah, I am. But maybe after I’ve slept.”
“That soundslike a good idea,” he said, squeezing her hand.
BRENNAN DROVE THEM to his apartmentand helped Devon up the stairs. As soon as they walked through the door, hepicked her up and carried her into the bedroom. Sleep was pulling her under bythen, and she let him help her into more comfortable clothes. They bothcrawled into bed, and he held her tight against his chest.
“Brennan,” she whispered, feelingsleep drawing closer.
“Yeah?” he asked, kissing hershoulder.
“You’re going to be here, right? You know, after this?” she asked.
“Belle, I’m going to be here foreverything.”
Brennan held Devon until she fellfast asleep.
Devon dreamed only of Brennan’s faceand the way he looked at her the first night they had spent together on theboat.
It was the first night sheremembered what happiness felt like.
“I’m so proud of you,” Brennansaid.
Leaning down, he kissed Devon onthe mouth. She returned his kiss full-on, wrapping her arms around his neck. He lifted her off her feet and spun her around until she threw her head backand started laughing. He buried his head into her shoulder and kissed herthere.
When he finally put her back onher feet, Devon said, “I can’t believe I did it.”
“I can.”
“Three months ago, I neverwould have gone through with this,” she told him. “Gah! Three weeks ago, Iwasn’t sure I could do this.”
“I knew you could do it. I’mglad you proved it to yourself though,” he said, pressing his lips to hersagain.
She closed her eyes and sighed. “Me, too. It feels pretty awesome.”
Devon pulled out the little pieceof paper that showed her permanent restraining order against Reid. They hadjust finished their hearing in court. Reid had showed his face. His daddy hadgotten him a good lawyer, but when she brought out all the pictures of thephysical damage that had been done to her body, the medical records, and thesurveillance video from Jenn’s, it was pretty clear what would happen.
Devon wasn’t looking forward tothe trial. But in the end, she had to think about everything he had done toher. This could ruin his life, but he had brought this upon himself. Reid was facing up to a year in prison if convicted of domestic battery. Devonexpected he would get probation if his lawyer got what he wanted. Though, if Reidever stepped foot near her again, he might end up in prison anyway. Devon wasjust tired of all the negativity. She wanted to be rid of Reid, and now,she was.
“Come on, let’s get out of here,”she said, slinging her arm around Brennan’s waist.
Brennan guided her back to hiscar. She felt like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. She had won. She had beat Reid. It wasn’t even just that. She had proven to herself thatshe was strong. She had proven that she was better than her old life with Reid. It felt good. She never knew how strong she was until it was all she had.
“Mind if we take a detour?”Brennan asked.
“I don’t have anything to dotoday,” she said, leaning her head back against the seat.
Life post-Reid was way betterthan she had ever thought it could be. She had to attribute a lot of that to Brennan,but she liked to give herself the credit, too. She knew though that without hishelp, it might have taken her longer to get her act together.
When she had spoken with herparents, they were
