My throat tightens until it cramps, but I bite my own emotions back as Mila opens up to me.
“Cry if it will help.” I wish I knew the right thing to say. “Take it out on me if it will help.”
Mila shakes her head and brings her eyes to mine. “You just being here helps so much.” Her chin quivers as tears spill over her cheek, and I use my right hand to gently brush them away. Mila’s voice cracks as she says, “You stopped it. I think that’s why I… I feel semi-normal with you.” A lonely look shadows her face. “Everything else feels foreign. It’s as if I’ve been thrown into a world I don’t recognize, and you’re the only familiar thing.”
I’m caught up in our stormy emotions as I admit what’s been eating away at me, “I wish I’d gotten to you sooner. I…” I shake my head as regret and guilt take turns beating the life out of me. “I keep going over last night and wish I had done a million things differently. I shouldn’t have agreed that we go to the club. I should’ve pushed Jessica away and stopped you from leaving.” I shake my head and locking eyes with Mila, I hate the words as they leave my mouth because they don’t come close to how I feel about the part I played in her being attacked. “I’m so fucking sorry, Mila.”
She lowers her eyes from mine and shakes her head. “None of it was your fault.” A forlorn look settles on her face. “I remember thinking I should’ve stayed and fought with you.”
Silence fills the room as our eyes meet again, and we stare at each other. There’s a lot we need to talk about, but right now, all that matters is helping Mila through the storm.
“Let’s talk about where we’re going from here, so we’re on the same page,” I say. A frown forms on Mila’s brow, which has me explaining, “I’m going to stick to your side and help you through this. Are you okay with that?”
“Yeah.”
The next part is not an easy subject to broach, and I take a deep breath before I continue, “I noticed you flinch when anyone else gets near you. Even your parents.”
Mila lets out a breath of air that almost sounds like a chuckle. “Who knew Jase Reyes could be so perceptive?”
A grin tugs at the corner of my mouth. “There’s a lot about me you don’t know yet.”
The light-hearted moment is fleeting.
“I’m just jumpy right now. I’m sure it will pass, and everything will go back to the way it was,” Mila says.
“But you’re okay with me holding you?” I ask to make sure I don’t do anything to upset her.
“Familiar, remember?” She nods. “It’s calming… and it makes me feel safe.”
Her words bring a smile to my face. “Good, ’cause I like holding you.”
“Thanks, Jase.”
Her words catch me by surprise. “For?”
“For not being weird around me.”
Not fully understanding, I shake my head. “Weird?”
Mila’s gaze meets mine, and for a split-second, her eyes shine a little brighter. “You treat me like… just me and not like I’m… damaged. I saw what I look like, and it…” she’s unable to finish her sentence.
I bring my hand to her face and brushing my thumb over her jaw, I say, “The bruises will fade, Mila, and honestly, even with the added color, you’re still fucking gorgeous.”
A tear sneaks out of her eye, but her lips curve up as she says, “Such a freaking player.”
A wide smile splits over my face. “Can’t help it, babe. You bring out that side of me.”
There’s a thankful look on her face as she snuggles back against my chest. “Thanks for making me forget for a while. I think I can actually sleep now.”
“Okay,” I whisper as I press my mouth to her hair. I lightly brush my hand up and down the length of her back, hoping my touch will follow her into her dreams so she won’t have another nightmare.Chapter 15MILAThe past couple of days, I’ve been lulled into a false sense of security because Jase practically moved into the hospital suite with me.
But now that I’ve been discharged and the exit of the hospital looms in front of me, panic tightens my muscles as my heartbeat speeds up.
Knowing my parents’ eyes are on me, I force my feet to move. It took a lot of arguing to get them to allow me to go back to the academy. At first, they insisted I go home with them, but with Jase by my side, they finally agreed, as long as I start counseling sessions with Dr. Bower.
Stepping outside, a sea of camera flashes bombard me. Voices yell questions, and my frazzled mind latches onto one. “Did Justin Green rape you?”