Witches for Hire (Odd Jobs #1)(87)
“By being honest. I started by telling you how I feel, and I want to know how you feel too.” Desmond smiled. “I’m not saying you have to say anything right away, but I want whatever’s between us to move.”
“You already know we’re soul mates,” Jeremy whispered.
“There’s a difference between a spell telling me I’m the only one for you and hearing those words come out of your mouth.”
Jeremy laughed despite the tears falling down his cheeks. “I hate when you’re charming.”
“I’m being really patient and not asking if that’s a yes.” Desmond brushed Jeremy’s tears away. “Think about your answer, so you can be sure about what your decision will be. Because if you say yes, I’m going all in.”
“Is this an inappropriate time to say ‘that’s what he said?’”
“I’m okay with you making a joke that’s not at the expense of my feelings.”
Jeremy sniffled. “And you made me cry.”
Desmond closed the distance between them. He stroked his finger down Jeremy’s nose and smiled. “Then we’re even. I’ll be going. Try not to avoid me too long.”
“Smartass.”
“Merry Christmas, Angel.” Desmond moved his finger to Jeremy’s chin and touched Jeremy’s bottom lip. He then stepped back, tipped his hat, and walked out of the Ragsdale house.
Jeremy’s father poked his head around the corner from the living room. “You’re sure that you’re okay?”
Jeremy nodded as he wiped his face on his shirtsleeve. “You must think I’m an idiot for letting him back in my life.”
Hesitantly, Jeremy’s father came around the corner and set his mug on the kitchen counter. “I don’t know what to think. That man is a hell of a lot more grown than that asshole who was on our stoop six years ago. As a matter of fact, both of you have changed a lot. I trust your judgment.” He squeezed Jeremy’s shoulder. “It’s your decision to make, so don’t let my thoughts influence it.”
“Why do things have to be so complicated with the two of us?”
“Your problem was probably meeting him too soon. You both would have been happier meeting now than as kids.”
“It’s funny how I still wouldn’t trade our pasts for someone else’s if it meant we always got along. Does that sound wrong to you?”
Jeremy’s father shrugged. “That’s love.”
JEREMY HOVERED somewhere in a warm state of not quite sleep but not alert either. Finally after several hard years, he was ending this one on a cautiously good note with Desmond. No fighting or accusations. Maybe we really are leaving our cycle of self-destruction. He could make the hard decision tomorrow. For now, he’d sleep—
“Jeremy!” His father frantically shook him awake.
Jeremy blinked his sleepy eyes open. “What is it?”
His father pointed at the TV. Across the screen, a breaking news bar flashed: DESMOND THE GREAT HOSPITALIZED AFTER COLLAPSING.
“That isn’t possible.” Jeremy’s stomach dropped, and he blinked several times to see if the words would change. Nothing could hurt Desmond. He was always the last fighter standing. Jeremy sprang to his feet. What do I do? We’re supposed to stay away from each other publically while Perry’s death is still recent. He put his hands on his forehead. What do I do? His back straightened with resolve. I have to see him. He listened to the report until it repeated the hospital’s name where Desmond had been taken. “Dad, I’m leaving.”
“Is it safe?” Senator Ragsdale asked as he watched Jeremy put on a coat.
“No, but I can’t leave him alone.”
His father smiled. “I’d say you’ve already made up your mind.” He pointed to the area of the house where his room was. “Take anything from my supplies that you need, and don’t let your guard down when you get there.”
Jeremy nodded. “Don’t worry. The scariest person in that building is going to be me.”
HE CLUTCHED the steering wheel so hard while he drove that his knuckles were white. I had one good talk with Desmond, and that vamp thinks she has the right to take him away from me? Gods help him, every death spell in his memory ran through his head, ready to be used if he caught sight of Rosaline. Jeremy’s nostrils flared the angrier he became, forcing him to breathe deeply so he wouldn’t lose control of his car. Remain calm now, so you can take your anger out on that bitch later. He pulled into the hospital lot and parked quickly. News reporters crowded the side of the building, but Jeremy snuck past them with an illusion of an EMT worker hanging over him. Beyond the sliding doors, cops patrolled the lobby but paid him no mind as he walked toward the reception desk. Jeremy smiled at the nurse attending it. “Where has Desmond been placed?” he asked with magic seeping into his voice to make her answer truthfully.
The nurse frowned and shook her head. “I’m sorry, but only his physician can know that.”
She should have given it freely to him. Jeremy frowned. Someone already put a spell on her. He stretched his hand out toward the nurse’s head, power flaring from his fingertips. If digging it out of her head by force was what he had to do, so be it.
“Jeremy.”