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When she looks sad, it breaks me, but I continue, knowing she deserves to hear this.
“I don't know what love is. I've never been shown love. I don't know what it looks like or feels like.” I talk past the thickness stitching up my throat. “All I know is when I'm near you, I forgethow to breathe. So tell me, little wolf, is that what love feels like?”
Her bottom lip quivers, and she curls her arms against me. “Yes, Adriel, that’s exactly what it feels like.”
With a deep exhale, I hold her closer, filled with this sense of completeness I can’t explain.
“I love you,” she says, staring up, tears storming into her eyes. “I love you so much, Adriel. And I don’t care if you never say it back. Because Ifeelit, your love for me, and that alone is enough.”
“Kayla…” I slant my forehead to hers, clasping her nape in my large hand. “Fuck, baby, you deserve to hear it.”
“I do hear it. Every time you touch me. Every time you do something that makes my heart beat faster. I hear it. I know you love me, and that is always going to be enough.”
I slap my eyes closed and quell this aching in my chest, because I don’t feel like I’m enough.
Holding her for a while, I stare up at the ceiling while her eyes start to flutter. And I vow to try, to be a better person and a better man, every single day until I can be enough for her.
She moans as she sinks into me, and once she’s completely asleep, I kiss her forehead and gently lower her onto the pillow.
Turning off the lights, I close the door and return to the den.
I have products I need to test in the basement. As I start to head in that direction, there’s a knock on the door.
Unsure who it could be, I reach inside my pocket and check the security cams. My chest expands at the sight of two people I haven’t seen since the day Kayla was in the hospital.
Fernanda and Patrick are standing there, hushed tones between them. I can’t say I have spoken to anyone from my family since Kayla was released.
Family.
I chuckle to myself. What a funny concept. Can’t say thatdefines them.
Kayla’s parents have stopped by to check on her, and so have her friends. My mother and brothers have called to check on her too, but I’ve never talked to them about anything that mattered. Never had any desire to.
Whatever rivalry I had with them has died, and in its place is indifference. Except Sophia, because I adore that kid. Though I don’t see her either. Wonder if she asks about me.
Straightening my spine, I move toward the door and open it, startling my mother.
“Hi there, son.” Patrick catches himself and clears his throat. “I mean Adriel.” His thick Irish accent is on full display.
“What can I do for you both?”
Neither of them misses my sharp tone.
“Well…” My mother smiles tightly. “We were hoping to maybe speak with you. We’ve wanted to come for a while, but we didn’t want to intrude on Kayla’s recovery. But I couldn’t wait anymore.”
I stare up at the ceiling for a moment before hitting her with a glare. “I’m not here to make you feel better about what you did. So, whatever you have to say to me, tell your shrink or your priest. Not interested.”
I attempt to shut the door in their faces, but Patrick’s hand whips out and holds it in place. His face hardens as I hold his stare, both of us hard-pressed and unrelenting.
“Now, you listen,” he says. “I know you have been through a lot, and I’m willing to let some of your aggression pass toward me, but not your mother.”
I laugh dryly. “She’ll get respect when she earns it.”
When he tries to say something else, she stops him, grabbing his arm. “It’s okay.”
Patrick grinds his jaw. My mouth curves, finding his angercommendable.
“She left me,” I tell him. “I have every fucking reason to hate her. She told me you didn’t know. Is that right?”
