Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 99967 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99967 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
“That’s none of my business,” I reply. “But if you ever feel unsafe—”
“I have family, and my brother’s a cop,” she says, and I can’t help but think that my brother is also a cop, and there’s no way in hell that Easton would allow a man like that anywhere in the vicinity of my hospital room. None of my family would. But like I said, none of my business. “We’re okay. But thank you.”
I nod and turn just as Amy walks up to me. She doesn’t touch me, but I know she can see that I’m going to lose it. I love this woman. She exudes calm. Like a grandma. Or a seasoned medical professional who knows her shit.
Amy knows this job inside and out. I’ve already learned so much from her.
“I need a minute,” I tell her in a low voice. My breaths are already coming fast. I keep seeing Nathan’s sneering face in my head, and I need a fucking minute to calm down without an audience.
I can’t stand the thought of breaking down where others can see me.
“Come on.” She wraps her arm around my waist and leads me into the stairwell, which is perfect because not many people use the stairs.
Oh God. Why can’t I get that asshole out of my head? Am I going to fall apart like this every fucking time someone mouths off to me?
“I’ll be right back,” Amy promises and leaves me alone.
Immediately, the panic attack sets in, and I can’t stop the tears that fall over my cheeks.
“You’re nothing. Christ, you’re lucky you have me because no one else in the world would bother with you. You’re no fun, Harper. You’re such a fucking killjoy. Do you even remember how to smile? And don’t even get me started on how pathetic you are to fuck.” Nathan paces in front of where I sit on the couch, my head down, listening to the lecture.
Shaking my hands out at my sides because they’ve gone numb, I decide to sit on the top step because my knees are rubber and rest my forehead on the wall next to me. God, I hate his voice so much. How did I listen to him for all those years?
“Go away,” I whisper. “Just fucking get out of my head.”
I hear a door downstairs but ignore it. I don’t want anyone to see me like this, but I can’t get my legs to work quite yet, so they’ll just have to judge me and go about their day.
I don’t care.
Footsteps fly up the stairs, then hands are on my face.
“Baby, what’s wrong? Christ, Harper, what’s going on?”
I blink and frown when it’s Blake’s face in front of me. He’s brushing the tears off my cheeks, but I still can’t breathe, so I just shake my head.
“Go away,” I manage to get out.
God, I don’t want him to see me like this.
“Not a chance in hell, sugar.”
The door behind us opens, and I hear Amy’s voice.
“There was a really abusive dad a few minutes ago,” she says, filling Blake in. “Harper handled him like a damn boss, but when it was all over …”
“Got it,” Blake says and nods at Amy over my shoulder. “Thank you.”
“Here’s some water for her. Harper, we have things covered. Take your time, honey.”
Humiliation washes through me, and I close my eyes and tip my forehead against Blake’s shoulder.
“Fuck.” It’s a whisper.
“Talk to me, baby. Are you hurt? Did he hit you?” His big hands rub up and down my back, soothing me, warming me up from the inside out. This man centers me, brings me back to focus on the here and now, and reminds me that Nathan is in my past, where he belongs.
“No.” Finally able to pull in a full breath, I pull back and wipe my face. “I’m sorry Amy called you. You’re needed in the ER—”
“I’m needed right here with my girl,” he says, those hazel eyes full of concern and love. “How often do you have panic attacks, Harper?”
“I haven’t since I moved home.” I shake my head. “The asshole dad used the right words to trigger me. I swear to God he was Nathan in a different skin.”
Blake’s hands tighten, and he growls, making me blink in surprise.
“I’m okay.” With a weak smile, I reach up and cup his cheek, wanting to reassure him. “Thank you for running up here, but I’m better now. It’s just not a fun voice to have in my head, and when it starts up—”
“You call me,” he says. “When it starts up, you call me, and we’ll deal with it. Because whatever those words are, they’re wrong, baby. You’re so fucking amazing.”
“That’s two days in a row you had to watch me lose it.” I wince. “I don’t like that.”
“As long as you’re okay, I don’t mind. What do you need, Harper?”