Crazy Stupid Love (Crazy Love #1)(34)

“What’s wrong with him?” I lean forward, trying to keep my voice down.

“It’s just a headache, you know from the accident,” he says, my stomach twisting slightly at his words.

“What accident?” I ask, obviously having never heard this before.

“Nothing, forget about it.” He tries to play if off like it’s not a big deal, but I can see right through his failed attempt.

“What accident, Gavin?” I try again but am cut off when Rosie reappears carrying a large glass dish, a perfect looking double layered chocolate cake displayed on top.

“Alright, here it is,” she sings, setting it in the center of the table.

As much as I don’t want to appear rude, I can’t just sit here and eat cake knowing that Decklan is outside in pain. Despite Gavin’s advice to leave him be, I politely excuse myself from the table, feeling Gavin’s eyes follow me as I cross the room.

I push my way outside moments later, the cool evening air feeling perfect on my heated skin. It takes only seconds to locate Decklan, sitting on the bottom step slumped over, his head dropped to his knees.

“Decklan?” I say his name hesitantly, watching his body go stiff the moment my voice reaches his ears.

“Go back inside, Kimber.” His voice is pained.

“Are you okay?” I ask, ignoring his request.

“I said go the f*ck back inside, Kimber,” he growls, his hands going into his hair as he straightens his posture.

I hesitate for a moment before disregarding his statement.

“No,” I insist, my tone absolute.

Climbing to the bottom of the three-step stone staircase, I step directly in front of Decklan and crouch down to his level.

“Not until you tell what I can do to help you,” I say, putting my hand under his chin to force his face upwards.

“There’s nothing you can f*cking do.” I suck in a ragged breath when his glossed over gray eyes find mine, the pain behind them so evident. “Fuck.” He drops his head slightly, clearly fighting through the pain.

Not sure what else to do, I drop my knees onto the concrete landing and wrap my arms around his neck, securing him against me. I know it does nothing for the pain he’s clearly feeling, but I’m just trying to bring him even the smallest bit of comfort. He doesn’t return my embrace, but he doesn’t reject it either. Instead, he simply rocks in my arms as I gently trail my fingertips across the back of his neck and across his shoulders.

When his body relaxes slightly and his arms close around me, pulling me into his chest, I know that the pain has finally passed. Though by the tremble in his hands, I can tell the effects of that pain are still very much present.

“I’m sorry.” He breathes, burying his face in the crook of my neck as he holds me tightly.

“Don’t be,” I say, my fingers continuing to gently move across back.

“I shouldn’t have yelled at you like that.”

“What happened?” I pull back slightly to meet his gaze.

“Just a headache, it’s nothing.” He tucks my hair behind my ear, trailing the back of his hand gently down my cheek.

“From the accident?” I ask, seeing him visibly stiffen at my words. “Why didn’t you tell me you were in some kind of accident? Was it bad?” I ask, just trying to understand what would bring on such intense pain when minutes earlier he was fine.

“It’s nothing. It was a long time ago.” He gives me a vague reply, clearly not wanting to talk about it.

“Is that how you got this?” I ask, trailing my fingers gently across the scar that runs across his left temple.

He reaches up and immediately halts my movements, wrapping his hand around mine.

“I should probably get you home.” The abruptness of his statement catches me off guard.

“Oh, okay,” I say, letting my hand drop away. “I’m sorry if I pushed too hard. I just want to understand,” I try to explain.

“It’s fine, really.” He pushes into a stand, lifting me to my feet as he does. “I’m going to tell Rosie goodbye and then we’ll go,” he says, turning and walking back inside the house without another word.

****

“What are you doing Friday?” Decklan asks, pulling the helmet from my head to rest it on the seat of the motorcycle just moments after arriving at my dorm.

“I don’t have anything planned,” I answer hesitantly, still not sure what the hell happened at the Porter’s house or how he can filter between hot and cold so rapidly.

One minute he’s all about me: touching me, throwing heated glances in my direction. The next he’s treating me like a nuisance; someone not worthy of sharing his pain, and I don’t just mean physical. He tries to hide it, but I can still see it. He’s buried, it but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t show through.

“We’re throwing our annual Halloween party at Deviants.” He cuts into my thoughts, taking my hand as he walks me towards my building. “You and your friends should come. Everyone dresses up, well besides me.” He laughs lightly. “It’s a pretty good time.”

We get to the front steps of my dorm building before I finally respond.

“Sounds fun.” I turn to face him, not as excited as I normally would be given that things still feel off between us.