Page 60 of Defend Her Heart

“You might feel some side effects the rest of the day or they might ease up quickly. It’s different with everyone.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll be home the rest of the day.”

This time, Avery’s nails dig into my skin, and now I’m biting the inside of my cheek to keep from crying out in pain. The nurse excuses herself and tells us we’re free to go whenever Avery is feeling up to it.

As soon as she’s out the door, I turn to Avery and grin.

“Ready to go home, wifey?”

“This isn’t the way to Tamara’s apartment.” I crane my neck behind me, trying to figure out where Connor is taking me. He doesn’t respond, so I turn to him and ask, “Where are we going?”

“Home.”

That’s all he says. It’s stern and clipped, and I huff out a breath, exasperated. Apparently, grumpy Connor is back with us. It only takes a couple more minutes until I realize we’re heading toward Katie’s apartment building. Towardhisapartment.

“Why are we going to your place? I want to go home. And what the heck are you even doing here? I thought you were supposed to be in a plane on your way to Sweden right now.”

He pulls into an empty parking spot on the street and turns the car off. He turns in his seat, resting his elbow on the steering wheel.

“Tamara is at work today, is she not?” he asks, clearly already knowing the answer to the question. I scowl at him, and he chuckles. “I’m not kidnapping you, Aves. I just don’t want you alone after that test. The nurse said it could be a while before you’re feeling like yourself.”

He still didn’t answer my other question.

“Connor. Why are youhere?”

The fact that he’s missing out on watching his sister at the Olympics for the first time fills me with guilt. He should be on that plane, on his way to cheer her on.

“You had an important test today, Aves. The thought of you going through it alone didn’t sit well with me so I rescheduled my flight for a few days from now. It’s no big deal.”

“No big deal? It’s the fucking Olympics, Connor.”

My breath hitches, and he clocks it right away. He knows why this conversation is hard for me. She made it. I never did. Not only did this stupid fucking illness take that from me too, now it’s taking something away from him, too.

“I’m still going. I promise. Just a few days later than I anticipated.”

I chew on his words for a moment, scared to open my mouth again because I’m afraid I might cry, and I’m sure as shit not breaking down in a car to him again. Somehow, I muster enough attitude to respond.

“You better still be going.”

Connor shakes his head, laughing quietly to himself, then motions his head behind him toward the apartment building.

“Just come inside with me. Don’t fight me on this. I can drop you off at home later once we know you’re in the clear. I just really think you shouldn’t be alone right now.”

The desperation in his voice flips a switch in me. I told Tamara I’d be more open to letting people help me and Connor is already doing so much. What’s one more thing?

“Fine.”

Connor’s eyes light up like I just handed him the Stanley Cup or something. I find it both adorable and annoying for some reason. Reaching down, I grab my purse at my feet and hear Connor close his door. I go to open my door but Connor is already there.

The door swings open and his hand reaches for me. “Here. Let me help you.”

As much as I don’t want to, I let him help me out of the truck. I know he won’t stop trying to help, so it’s better not to fight it at this point. I set my purse on my seat and grab theoh, shithandle in the truck. Grabbing his hand, I step down onto the pavement, and he keeps a hold of my hand, his rough calluses scraping against my palm.

Instead of letting go, he takes a step toward me, and I suck in a breath. His face is so close to mine, I freeze. Is he about to kiss my cheek? I don’t dare turn my head, even though something in the back of my mind is screaming at me to do so.

I brace myself for contact but instead of leaning into me, he reaches behind me. He pulls back and in his hand is my purse. Right. He’s not going to kiss me again. It’s been weeks since he kissed me at the courthouse and he only did that so we didn’t look suspicious. I’m not sure why I was thinking he would just now. But damn, that kiss was perfect. I haven’t stopped thinking about it since. I’m well aware of how pathetic that may sound but that doesn’t change the fact that it plays on loop in my head while I’m lying on the couch alone at night.

Connor loops my purse around his arm and grabs the door to close it, still refusing to let go of my hand.