“Were you close to Jane growing up, or did you fight a lot?”
I like this question. It’s nice to think of Jane in the past. It’s good that he’s allowing me to think of her, without getting all awkward about it. I know what it’s like to have people look uncomfortably at me.
“We had our spats now and again, but we were different then. She was tall and beautiful, popular, sociable, and I was much quieter. I know, hard to believe, right?” We both laugh a bit. “We didn’t have much time together so there wasn’t much to fight about. But we were always sisters, you know? Then… well, we got closer as Mom got sick. We only had each other to rely on then. No one else could understand.”
“I can imagine. That must have been very hard on you.”
“I don’t think we even thought that this disease might come down to one of us. We were told that it’s hereditary, but we didn’t worry. We just focused on Mom. Well, I know that I did anyway. And then… well then, she eventually passed away and we both fell apart. We relied on each other wholeheartedly to keep going. If I was alone… well, I don’t know what would have happened. Jane kept me sane and I did her.”
Fuck, the emotion chokes me. It makes me feel sick. But now I have started talking about this and I can’t stop myself. These words need to come out, I can’t hide them forever. It’s too much for me.
“Just as it felt like we were finally starting to move on, to recover from what happened, then Jane started getting sick. I didn’t want to admit what it might be, but I think deep down, I knew even then. It was happening another time, like a terrifying vicious cycle. Only this time… well I don’t have anyone.”
I look at Isaac to see what he’s thinking, which is when I can see it in his eyes. He’s going to be there for me, or at least he wants to be, if I will let him. He really is a lovely man, too good for this mess.
“Are you tired?” As Isaac says this, I feel the weariness washing over me. Exhaustion hits hard. “Do you want to go to bed? Because I have a big comfy bed upstairs that you can have…”
“Alone?” I ask with the biggest smile that I can manage. “I thought that you weren’t leaving me by myself?”
“Oh, I can sleep in it with you, if that’s what you want. I don’t want to be in the way…”
“I need you,” I admit. “I want you to sleep in the bed with me.”
He takes my hand once more, his fingers lacing through mine, and takes me up the stairs. I walk heavily, my body giving up on the idea of taking me there, but with Isaac’s support I make it.
“Wow,” I mutter. “You weren’t lying about the size of your bed. It’s massive. Bigger than my bedroom.”
Actually, probably bigger than my whole freaking apartment, but I decide not to say that part. I have let enough out today. I keep on walking until I collapse onto the sheets, moaning in bliss. It would be impossible not to fall asleep in this bed, no matter what is going on. I can already feel myself shutting down.
“Do you want me to undress you? Are you uncomfortable? No funny business, I promise. I just want to help.”
I nod and allow him to peel my dress off. His fingers touch me softly as he does, I can feel love coming from him. This is nice, it isn’t just sympathy, he seems to really give a shit. It makes me feel even more for him. Only this time it doesn’t feel quite so dangerous, I don’t know if I’ll end up in trouble.
Then once I’m undressed, Isaac takes his clothing off too, and he climbs in the bed with me. He hugs me gently, resting my body against his. My eyes flicker, as much as I want to savor the moment, I can’t. The blackness is stealing me, taking me away. I suppose this is a good thing though, because rest is what I need so I can have a clearer head tomorrow. I can face all of my issues in a smarter way.
Thank you, I think, wishing that I could find the strength to say it aloud. Thank you, Isaac… this is why I love you. This is why I’m falling for you. This is why I never want to let you go.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Isaac
“Where’s Lexi?” I ask Becca on the reception desk for what feels like the hundredth time. “Is she not here?”
“Not yet, you want me to give her a call? See where she is?”
There’s laughter in her voice, I can hear it. Almost everyone I mention Lexi to, reacts like this. The arrogant, narrow minded bitches. My father’s attitude is mirrored in them all. Just because she looks a little different to them, they think they’re so much better than she is. Well, that’s bullshit. If I told any of them the battles she faces every single day, they would change their minds. But of course, I won’t, because that would be wrong. It isn’t my place to tell anyone anything. All I can do is be there for her – my new life mantra.
“No, that’s okay. I will try calling her again, see if I can get through. I just need my schedule.”
“It’s all online, isn’t it? Surely, you don’t need to get hold of her that much… do you?”
I ignore her insinuation that me and Lexi are hooking up. I don’t care if everyone knows. I’m not ashamed!
“It’s okay, I can look it up. Just… I want to ensure that everything is okay.”
I turn my back and walk away before I can get further into this conversation with Becca. She’s winding me up. I roll my eyes and storm back into the office and I slam the door behind me. Then I grab my cell phone out of my pocket and call Lexi. Again. She must be getting sick of seeing my name on her screen. So, why the hell isn’t she picking up? Even if it’s just to tell me to leave her alone. As long as I know why I’m being ignored, then I’ll be able to handle this.
Ring, ring… Ring, ring… Ring, ring…