Chapter 195 Gratitude

Chapter 195 Gratitude
\[Lilah’s POV\]

The next day, I sit in bed as Collin busies himself cooking breakfast. It smells divine and it makes my stomach rumble, but since I’m on strict bedrest, I don’t go to try to steal some.

Instead, I will be good and do as instructed.

However, I don’t exactly like it because it allows my mind to race and that was the thing that I was supposed to be avoiding.

“Let’s watch some reels,” I murmur, pulling my phone from the side table just as it starts to ring and when I take in the name on the screen, I feel my heart skip a beat. “Jer!” I gasp, immediately answering. “You finally called!”

Growing quiet, I wait while no sound comes from the other end while wondering if maybe he butt dialed me or something.

Honestly, I tried to visit him after the incident with Tony, but his parents refused to let me because they blamed me for what happened to their son.

I also tried to call, but was only met by a constant ring and then voicemail.

“Jer,” I repeat, pain shooting through me. “Jer, are you there?”

“I am.”

His voice is deep and filled with exhaustion and I can’t help but wonder what exactly he has been through since what happened.

“Sorry, I was just making sure that no one was around.”

Nodding, I take in what he is saying and I realize that after everything, I may have permanently lost a few people that are important to me.

“How are you, Jer?” I ask, relaxing in bed. “Are you recovering alright?”

“I am,” he responds. “My injuries weren’t that serious to begin with.”

Liar.

That ankle was really fucked up and he looked like he was dying for a while there. There was no way that he wasn’t seriously injured.

“I’m fine,” he says more calmly and I’m certain that he can pick up on how I’m feeling through the phone. “Anyway, I didn’t call to talk about me, how are you?”

Ah. At his words, I realize immediately that he must have gotten wind about my mom and that was why he went against his parents wishes to call me.

“I’m okay,” I say, not wanting him to feel sorry for me. “I’m certain she will wake up.”

“Yeah,” Jeremiah agrees and an awkward silence fills the phone line between us.

It’s nothing like in the past when we could easily hold conversation and even finish each others sentences, but time changes things, and given all that we went through, I was just happy that we were talking at all.

“I’m sure she will pull through.” Jeremiah says now, breaking the silence. “She made it through that surgery which is a huge win.”

“I think she will too.”

“Lilah.”

I shift my gaze toward the voice to find Collin standing in the doorway watching me.

“I should let you go.” Jeremiah says as I wonder how long Collin has been standing there. “I must be interrupting.”

“No!” I gasp, suddenly fearing that this may be the last time we talk. “Please, don’t just hang up on me.”

“Is it Jeremiah?” Collin asks, coming to sit beside me. “Hand me the phone.”

“What…” I hiss as he plucks the phone from my hand. “What are you…”

“Hey,” Collin says before I can even finish my question. “Where the hell have you been?”

He grows quiet while I’m certain Jeremiah says something and when he lets out a huff of annoyance, I can’t help but wonder what was said.

“Do you have any idea how worried Lilah has been?” Collin continues, reaching out and rubbing the back of my head. “Fuck your family and their wishes, you’re a grown man, aren’t you?”

“Collin.”

“Someone needs to tell him.” Collin shrugs. “Anyway, if you’re finally defying your parents then you should at least come and visit her.”

I wait while he grows quiet again and when a smile of satisfaction plays on his lips I know that Jeremiah must have agreed.

“Great, then I’ll text you the address. You better be here within the next hour.”

He doesn’t give Jeremiah the chance to say anything more before he hangs up and before he gives the phone back to me, he quickly sends the address.

“Now,” Collin says, handing the phone back to me. “Let’s get you three fed.”

“Three,” I repeat, watching as Collin rises from the bed and then heads toward the rooms exit. “I’m only one person and everything I’ve read says that I shouldn’t increase my food intake.”

“You’re too skinny,” Collin counters, his gaze slowly travelling over me. “You could afford to but on some extra pounds.”

“I’m going to do that anyway.” I point out, but when I look down at my body, I can see that I’ve definitely lost weight.

“Just be good and cooperate.” Collin sighs, heading out of the room and heads into the kitchen.

When he returns, he has a plate filled to the brim with sausage, pancakes, and some strawberries.

“Breakfast is served.” He announces, passing me the plate and then sitting. “Make sure you don’t let my hard work go to waste.”

Nodding, I inhale deeply and can almost feel my mouth starting to water, but I can’t bring myself to eat yet, not when I was the only one with food.

“Don’t worry,” Collin says as though he can read my mind. “I snacked while I was cooking. Go on and eat before it gets cold.”

For a moment, I don’t move as I consider what I am being told, but soon enough hunger wins and I start attacking the food in front of me and before I even realize it I’m finishing.

“Want more?” Collin asks, taking my now empty plate. “There is plenty.”

“I’m full,” I tell him, suddenly feeling sleepy. “Honestly, I think I ate too much.”

“Well, if you do decide you want something else, let me know.”

“Sure,” I smile, shifting so that I can press my body against Collin’s back. “Thanks,” I murmur, closing my eyes and taking in the sound of his heartbeat. “For everything. If you weren’t here, I truly don’t know if I would be able to keep pushing forward.”

“Don’t mention it,” Collin tells me. “From now on, I’ll always be here.”

“That would be great.” I sigh. “I’ll hold you to it.”