Coming Home(58)

Leah cut the engine, looking over at him. She watched his back expand and contract with every breath, but he still hadn’t moved.

“Danny?” she said softly, and to her surprise, he turned his head to look at her. He blinked a few times, his eyes bleary and unfocused as he tried to sit up.

“Hey, it’s okay,” she said as she leaned over and ran her hand through his hair, and he closed his eyes. “You’re home. Let’s get upstairs, okay?”

He nodded wearily, and she exited the car and came around to his side, helping him out onto the sidewalk. He was leaning most of his weight on her as they walked into the lobby, and as they stood waiting for the elevator, Leah’s legs began to tremble with the task.

You’re almost there. Hang in there.

Danny rested his chin on the top of her head as he ran his hand over the back of her hair. “You’re so good, Leah,” he sighed.

She smiled softly as the doors dinged open, and she managed to get them both inside before the doors closed, leaning them up against the wall. He rested his head on top of hers again, and she could see in the reflection of the doors that his eyes were closed.

She could tell he was close to passing out, and Leah glanced at the numbers lighting up above their heads, willing them to go faster.

As soon as the doors opened, she stood up, pulling him to a standing position as she rubbed her hand up and down his side. “Come on, Danny. Almost there, okay?”

By now she was using all her strength just to keep him steady as they stumbled down the hallway toward his door. She had his keys in her hand, and she opened the door quickly before tossing them somewhere on the floor. She needed both arms to help him now, and every muscle in her body strained with the effort.

Leah glanced around the small space quickly, noticing two doorways off the living room. Assuming that his bedroom had to be one of them, she began walking them in that direction.

“Come on. A few more steps,” she said, her voice strained as they tripped and staggered across the living room, and when she turned them into the first doorway and saw his bed, she thought she might cry with relief.

Leah gave him a gentle shove and he lurched forward before falling back onto the mattress with a groan, his eyes already closed.

“Holy shit,” she said to herself, rolling her neck as she leaned up against the wall to catch her breath.

She stared at him, his chest rising and falling with his arms splayed out at his sides, and that’s when she noticed what he was wearing: a dark blue button-down, black slacks, and a belt. She glanced down at the black dress shoes still on his feet and sighed, walking the few steps over to the bed before kneeling down.

Leah undid his laces and removed his shoes, placing them up against the far wall so he wouldn’t trip over them if he got out of bed for any reason tonight.

Okay, that was the easy part.

She stood at the foot of his bed, her hands on her hips as she looked him over.

It would be like seeing him in a bathing suit. It’s not a big deal.

With a deep breath to strengthen her resolve, she climbed up onto the bed and sat on her heels at his side. Just as she brought her fingers to the buckle on his belt, she felt his hand slide up her thigh, coming to rest more than halfway up.

Her breath caught in her throat.

“I lied to you,” he said hoarsely, his eyes still closed.

“About what?” she whispered, her fingers still frozen on his belt buckle.

He laughed lightly, but his face contorted in disgust. “So many things.”

She didn’t want to be affected by him anymore, but she felt her heart drop at his words.