Saving Easton (Oakside Military Heroes Book 2)(7)

"Three."

"I wish I'd known. I would have sent letters and care packages. You'd have had more baked treats than you'd have been able to eat."

Standing, I hesitate, "I can come get that. I'd rather put it back in my bag than chance Lexi seeing it."

He nods, and I move slowly, taking the bag and then sitting down again.

"East, when was the last time you left this room, not related to your care here?"

"I haven't left at all. They all come here."

"You know you’re safe here, right?" I say, and right before my eyes, he starts to retreat back into himself. Molly picks up on it and rests her head on his chest, looking up at him.

"I know you know that. That came out wrong. I meant to say, do you feel safe here?" I try to pull him back.

"I don't feel safe anywhere." He admits.

That small admission breaks my heart. I can't pretend to know what he's been through, but for him not to feel safe, is something I want to fix, though I have no idea how.

I might ask a few of the nurses at the hospital if they have any suggestions.

"I'd really like to show you the grounds. I'm so proud of what Lexi and Noah have done here, but I won't push you. Just think about it. We can start slow by just staying inside."

He doesn't acknowledge me, just turns his head to look out of the window.

Suddenly, Molly jumps off Easton's lap and gets between me and the door, as a guy from the kitchen pops his head in with Easton's lunch.

"Hey cool, you're letting people in your room now." Then, he takes a step into the room. I look back at Easton and see panic in his eyes.

Molly starts to growl and lunges at the kitchen guy.

"No, he isn't. Now get out. Molly down." I yell.

Molly continues to growl, but slowly sits down with her back feet under her, ready to pounce the second the guy shows any signs of danger.

Easton's nurse comes running, along with Lexi and Noah. I step forward and take the lunch tray.

"Get him out of here," I growl too, glaring at the kitchen guy.

"I need to check on him." His nurse, Kaitlyn, says.

"East?" I ask him, but he isn't with us. His eyes are blank, and he doesn't register I'm talking to him. I'm pretty sure he's back in that dark room.

"Let me try, please?"

Kaitlyn looks over at Lexi and Noah before she agrees.

"What happened with Molly?" Lexi asks.

"I'll tell you before I go. I’ll stop by your office, I promise. Now go." I say and close the door behind them.

"East. It's Paisley." Using a soft voice, I slowly take a few steps towards him. With a simple hand motion, Molly stays at my side.

"Are they gone?" He asks, but his eyes still aren't focused.

"Yes, it's just you, me, and Molly.”

He doesn't move, and I start to worry.

"Easton, I need you to look at me," I beg.

"It's you."

"Yes, it's me." I take a few steps closer.

He shakes his head.

"Noah asked me last night. It's you."

I still don't understand, but he turns his head and finally looks into my eyes.

"There you are." I breathe a sigh of relief. "I need to go let them know you’re okay. Kaitlyn wants to check on you. Molly will stay here with you, and I’ll only be gone a few minutes. Is that okay?"

He nods.

"Molly, up," I say, and she wastes no time climbing back into his lap.

I head to the door and turn to look at him, before opening it. He’s watching me and gives me another nod, before I open the door and find Kaitlyn, Lexi, and Noah in the hallway.

"He's fine, but a little dazed," I tell them.

"I really need to go check on him," Kaitlyn says again.

"Yeah, he said it's okay. Molly is there, and she won't be an issue."

I tilt my head down the hall away from Easton's door, and Lexi and Noah follow.

"That little shit from the kitchen, Molly lunged at him. She freaks anytime he gets near me. Only him, and he gives me the creeps. After today, I think it's best you reassign him and keep him away from Easton's room."

Lexi and Noah look at each other and have one of their silent conversations. You know, the one couples who know each other well enough have.

"Okay, he won’t be near Easton again," Lexi says, and I turn to leave, but then stop.

"Noah, what did you ask him last night? He keeps saying it's me. That you asked him, and it's me."

Noah smiles, "I thought so. I asked him what he thinks about, when he wakes up from the nightmares. Who calms him.”

"Me?" I ask, slightly dumbfounded.

"Yep. For me, it was Lexi. Just some food for thought." He says with a wink, as he wraps his arm around Lexi's waist, and they walk off.

I wait outside Easton’s door for his nurse to come back out.

"He's doing okay. He turned down any medication. Though, I reminded him that I have something to help his nerves and anxiety, if he wants it. Otherwise, just call if you need anything." She smiles at me and leaves, I’m sure to talk to Lexi and Noah.

I peek my head back in, and he's in the same spot with Molly on his lap.