554 Right Beside You
Peter told Ashleigh everything he knew about the current situation in the South. About the fall of Burning Ember, the likely loss of Penelope and Mateas, and that Caleb had left the night before to lead the pack down through the south lands. A journey would likely take ten days and would have no real communication option.
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Myka and Peter walked her to her room.
As Peter replaced her IV line, Ashleigh continued to keep her silence.
“I’m sorry,� Peter said, glancing up at Ashleigh and then toward the door where Myka stood. “You shouldn’t have found out like that.�
Ashleigh gave a weak smile.
“No,� she said softly. “But it was an honest mistake.�
“Idiots make lots of those,� Peter sighed and shook his head as he looked at Myka.
Ashleigh smiled.
“Did you know that the more you care about someone, the more annoying you find them?� she asked.
Peter furrowed his brows.
“A few years ago, Bell told me about this jerk at the hospital. How he would call her an idiot and jump on her for the smallest mistakes,� she continued. “I got so mad. I was ready to punch this guy in the face.�
Ashleigh chuckled.
“So, one day, that was exactly what I planned to do. I came to the hospital, and I watched Bell until I heard this guy just lay into her about the tiniest mistake she had made. Now, Bell being Bell, she gave as much as she got. They were just ripping each other apart. And then they laughed.�
Peter smiled.
“Later, I heard someone mention to this guy how Bell had messed up, and he immediately defended her. That was when I realized this guy was just as crazy as my best friend.�
Peter chuckled.
“I’ve seen you interact with people nicely, sweetly. You’re always a good doctor, but personally, you’re kind of a mess.�
“Talk about a pot and kettle….â€� Peter scoffed.
Ashleigh looked at him with surprise, and then they both laughed.
“The closer you get with people, the more you try to push them away,� she continued. “You do that with those cutting comments, the mean nicknames, and trying to act cold.�
Peter swallowed and looked away.
“But the problem is,� Ashleigh said. “Those of us that already love you, we know it’s BS.�
Peter looked back at her. His eyes were misty.
“Inside, you are a mushy gushy sensitive ball of love,� Ashleigh smiled.
Peter scoffed to show his disgust.
“Definitely not,� he replied.
“Well, maybe not, but you are someone that loves so hard they hope to push others away before they can leave you themselves,� she smiled, thinking of Alice for some reason.
“Maybe…â€� Peter whispered with a smile.
“None of us are going anywhere,� Ashleigh said softly, “especially not him.�
Peter glanced up at Myka. He took a deep breath.
“Thank you,� Peter whispered.
“Go,� she said. “The peace won’t last long, and he is beside you. So enjoy the time you have.�
Peter nodded and ensured she was comfortable before he and Myka said their goodbyes and walked out the door together.
As they walked down the hall, Peter felt a tightness in his stomach.
“Maybe we should visit Alice while we’re here,� Myka said, pausing to look around for the room numbers.
Peter continued walking as he thought about the things that Ashleigh had said.
“Peter?� Myka called out to him.
Peter looked up, trying to understand why Myka was behind him.
“Sorry, I was a little lost in thought,� he said.
“Okay…â€� Myka replied, moving to stand beside Peter. “Are you feeling all right? Maybe we should just go back home. I saw Alice this morning anyway.â€�
Peter nodded, and they began to walk down the hall again, but he kept thinking about what Ashleigh had said, and Bell too.
He loved Myka. Of course, he did. He couldn’t deny that, no matter how much he tried. But was he still trying to push him away? Did he really think that Myka would leave?
He was afraid when Myka told him about planning to go to Spring. He was terrified while he was gone. And he hadn’t wanted to leave his side since he returned.
He was afraid.
Peter glanced up at Myka from the corner of his eye. This dopey idiot of a man with blue hair and an infectious smile. Did Myka know how much Peter really cared for him?
Then Peter did something he never expected he would do.
He reached down and took Myka’s hand.
Myka looked down at their interlocked hands, and then he looked at Peter, who continued to stare forward as they walked.
“Is everything all right?� Myka asked with concern.
“Why wouldn’t it be?� Peter grumbled, not looking at Myka.
“Peter,� Myka said as he stopped walking. “What’s going on?�
“What do you mean?� Peter asked, still not looking at Myka.
“You’re holding my hand,� Myka said.
“So?� Peter replied.
“You never hold my hand.�
“Is that a problem?� Peter asked with a grumble. “Am I not allowed to hold your hand?�
“Of course, you can, but you don’t.�
Peter sighed in frustration.
“I just… thought… you might like it,â€� he said softly.
That was when Myka noticed a flush in Peter’s cheeks and at the top of his ears. He swallowed.
“I do…â€� Myka replied.
“Good, then we can go now— Myka, what are you doing?�
As Peter began to suggest they continue their way home, Myka suddenly pulled him in a different direction.
“Where are we going?� Peter asked, being pulled by Myka down the hallway.
Myka turned and then opened a door, pulling Peter inside.
Peter looked around; it was a sitting room they used for patients’ families waiting for news on their loved ones.
Myka locked the door and turned the blinds, making the room dark.
Peter turned and looked at him with concern.
“Myka, what are you doing?� Peter asked, backing up slowly.
Myka moved toward him like a predator stalking its prey.
“Peter…â€� Myka said. His voice was lower than it should have been.
Peter swallowed, taking another step back.
Myka reached out, wrapping his arm around Peter and pulling tightly, so their bodies were pressed against each other.
Myka nuzzled his head against Peter’s, bringing his lips to lightly kiss and nip at the top of Peter’s ear.
“Do you have any idea what you do to me?�