Page 49 of Wrapped in Winter
“Sean Roberts has been in an accident. I think you should get down here right away.”
“Is he okay?”
“I can’t give any information over the phone. Just please hurry to the hospital.”
For the second time in my life, a man was taken from me, but this time, it was a relief. And the guilt that followed that relief wrecked me. I stayed longer in New York City than I should have, but I needed to prove I could do this alone. I was so mad at everyone for leaving and also coming and going out of my life, that I was going to build a new one, just me and my daughter.
Sean’s friends disappeared, which wasn’t a hardship, and I moved out of the apartment he owned. I signed up with an employment agency who placed me with different accounting jobs. It got us by, but just barely, and I knew that was no way tolive. I couldn’t count on anything steady, and Lily deserved that. So I saved up enough money to get us one-way tickets back to Montana. I texted Courtney that I was coming home and asked that she pick me up from the airport.
Lief showed up instead.
I didn’t know what to say so thanks was all I got out. He grunted something in return, grabbed my daughter, and made me carry the bags. The ride home was silent.
But the trauma of losing Lily’s father and having to go through it all alone still haunts me. I stayed strong back then because I had to. I couldn’t let sadness consume me, or I'd make us both sick.
So I pushed it aside, buried it deep with memories of my dad, and moved forward, erecting a wall that no one was ever going to get through.
The doorbell to the stockroom goes off and yanks me back to the present. My head is swimming, and I feel dizzy as I stand and check my phone.
Drake: Let me in.
What a loaded sentence.
I walk to the back and unlock the door, letting Drake inside. He steps through and brushes the snowflakes from his jacket before shrugging out of it.
“Are you okay?”
I furrow my brows. “Yeah, why?”
“Because I’m not.”
“What's wrong?”
He grabs me, pulling me in close and wrapping his arms around my waist. “I need this.” He kisses me, building it higher before pulling back, leaving me breathless. He chuckles. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“You're not playing fair. I was fine untilthat.”I spin from him, needing to get back to unpacking, but I jump when his hand lands on my ass with a resounding smack. “Hey!” I spin back to face him.
He curls me into him once more. “Sorry, but I told you you were begging for a spanking.”
“The door was locked until you got here. Relax, caveman.”
We’re swaying, and the hold he has on me is comfortable, familiar almost. “How much do you have left? Let me help.”
“Don’t you have to get up early tomorrow?”
“Nope, it’s my day off. I’m all yours tonight.” He waggles his brows and I chuckle.
“Go home and sleep, Drake. You don't need to be here working.”
“It's not work when I’m with you.”
“Oh come on,” I drawl out and pry myself from him. “You’re laying it on thick right now.”
“I missed you. So If I need to spend time here with you while you’re working, I’ll do that. It’s not a hardship, January. Especially if you’re bending over to sort through boxes.”
I roll my eyes. “I’m putting your ass to work then. Come on.”
I yawn for the fifth time in about eight minutes. “Why don’t I take you home? You’re exhausted.”