“I’m sorry you had to see me lose control today,” Adam says into the silence, making my eyes pop open. I lift my head off of his shoulder and the pain in his eyes wakes me right up.
“Adam, don’t ever apologize for telling me how you feel. We’re supposed to be here for each other, right? I know you don’t like seeing my face all bruised up like this. I cringe every time I look at myself.”
I try and choose my next words as carefully as possible to try and take his pain away. I look everywhere except at him because I know not only is he worried about Sierra and me, he is worried about Tonya as well. But these words I have to say to him have to be said when I gaze into his bright green orbs.
“When I first woke up at the hospital the other day, I just wanted to give up, but when I looked into your eyes and saw how much love you had for me, that was all the strength I needed to keep me going. After everything I went through, I never in my entire life imagined I would find a man like you. Your love has taken away every bit of pain and suffering I have ever had, so let my love for you do the same. Together, remember?”
I tilt in and swipe my tongue across his bottom lip as he brings his hand around to the back of my neck.
“I hate feeling helpless. I hate that he even touched you, and I hate not knowing where he is or what he will do,” he whispers against my mouth. Adam closes his eyes and I hope the love that I have for this man is enough to keep him going, because the hatred I have inside for my ex-husband multiplies in abundance for the simple fact that Joel has touched a part of my man that should never have been tainted with his evil touch, and that part is his kind soul.
Chapter Twenty-One
Adam
Lifting Erin’s sleeping form off of the couch and carrying her down the hall without waking her was harder than I thought. I managed it though and was able to drift off myself, but the sound of my cell phone ringing wakes me from my deep sleep. I fumble along the side of the dresser until I find it and glance at the clock as I pick it up. Five thirty in the fucking morning? Who the hell is calling at this hour? I swipe my finger across the screen, not even paying attention to who it is.
“Hello?” I whisper so I don’t wake Erin. I climb out of bed and cross the floor into the bathroom.
“Hey, man. It’s Luke and I’m sorry to wake you, but they found Tonya.”
I exhale deeply and shut the door and turn on the light. “Is she all right?”
There is silence for a moment on his end and I feel adrenaline start to pump through my veins until I hear him speak softly.
“Yeah, she’s all right. They have her at the station and I am heading there now.”
I close my eyes and feel a huge burden lifted off of my shoulders knowing she is fine.
“I am on my way there, too,” I say as I grab my jeans off the hook on the back of the door. “How did you find out?”
“She called me and asked me to come down. And by the tone of her voice, I really don’t think she knows what the hell is going on.”
I don’t think she does either, but I don’t tell him that.
“I need to wake Erin up and tell her what’s going on. I’ll meet you down there.”
Brushing my teeth and throwing on the same shirt from last night, I head back into the bedroom where I lay down beside Erin and pull her into me, mildly shaking her to wake her up.
“Adam, what’s wrong?” she says in a sleepy voice.
“Luke just called and they have Tonya down at the police station.”
She jolts up in bed. “Thank God. Is she okay?”
“Luke says she is, but I am on my way down there to meet him. I just wanted you to know.”
“I’m going with you.” She jumps out of bed and rummages around the room looking for something to wear.
“I don’t even remember falling asleep last night,” she says as she pulls a pair of those tight ass legging things on.
“You fell right to sleep and I carried you to bed. I took off your jeans and you didn’t even stir. Are you sure you want to go? You really should rest.”
“I’m fine, Adam. I can rest when we get back.” She speaks in a soft voice and her eyes are all wide. She looks afraid.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” I ask, bringing her into my arms.
“I’m just a little nervous. Are you sure he said she was all right? I mean, he didn’t hit her or anything, did he?”
“Babe, I don’t know. I told you everything I know, but the good thing is, she is okay, so hurry up so you can go tell Shelby what’s going on, all right?” Silent tears start to stream down her face. I lift my hand and brush every single one of them away, cupping her chin in the palm of my other hand.