Cabin Glow: A New Adult and College Romance (The Billionaire Romance Redemption Series Book 3)

by Bella Love-Wins

  She thought back on the other times he had reacted this way since she met him. There was their conversation about why he left the practice. He had also gotten that way when they skirted the question of relationships and family. And he had a similar look during the impromptu procedure on John’s arm. Maybe he was in a car accident with someone important to him—but who? And how bad was it?

  She was onto something. It was a gut feeling, and she had nothing to go by—even less so as Andrew continued to be tight-lipped about his trauma—but she trusted her gut implicitly. She sighed, finishing up her stretches to head for the shower. She was not going to ask him just yet. It would be too easy for him to shut down. She would wait. He would tell her soon, she hoped. Having to guess and come up with her own theories was no fun though; not when he could simply tell her.

  ***

  ABBY looked over at Andrew as they sat at the back of the limousine. He held her hand, and looked pensively out the window.

  “Everything okay?” she asked.

  “Yes,” he answered, looking over at her. “Sorry, I tend to get sucked into how beautiful around Lake Tahoe is. I’ve been down this route countless times; yet that view out there gets me every time.”

  He ran a finger down her cheek, and tucked a stray lock of hear behind her ear. “How about you? Doing alright?”

  “Yes,” she answered, leaning on his arm. “It’s gorgeous outside. I can see why you love it. It’s serene, and lovely on an immense scale. It makes problems seem so small, taking in that expansive view. I guess it puts life in perspective.”

  “Wow.”

  She looked up at him. “What,”

  “You could have read my mind verbatim just now.”

  “Yeah?” she said, turning to look at him more closely.

  “It’s uncanny.”

  “Just don’t get too used to it, big boy,” she teased.

  “Used to what?”

  “To me trying to read your mind.” She kissed his lips softly. “Talking works. Remember, you can tell me anything. I won’t judge you. I promise.”

  “I will keep that in mind.”

  “Promise?” She hoped she was getting her point across without pushing the issue.

  “Yes. I promise.”

  She undid her seatbelt and slid up to sit in his lap, and held him close.

  ***

  Abby made a point of making a big entrance into John’s recovery room. As she slipped in the door, she shouted, “How is the big teddy bear who slayed one of Lake Tahoe’s most vicious predators!”

  Trina and John jumped. Trina was sitting in a chair beside John, playing cards with him on his good side.

  “Hey!” Trina said first, and got up to accept Abby’s hug in her already outstretched arms.

  “That’s one way to scare a patient,” John said cheerily. “How are you doing?”

  “That’s for me to ask you, isn’t it?” she joked.

  “Nah. I wasn’t the only casualty of Lake Tahoe, was I? Last time I say you, you were skipping around on one good leg, remember?”

  “Don’t remind me,” Abby answered, getting serious as she held Trina around her shoulder. “So how are you feeling, John?”

  “Still not great, but very grateful. It could have been a lot worse. I get to keep my arm, plus a few pins inside for good measure.”

  “Great to hear. You must be relieved.”

  “Very. Thanks to you and Andrew. Speak of the devil, where’s the big guy?”

  “He’s grabbing something in the store downstairs.” She turned to Trina. “And the staff here, they’re taking good care of you two?”

  “The best,” she answered. “The ones who have worked here for years all rave about Andrew.”

  “Really? How do they know him?”

  “He worked here in his late teens during college, or maybe it was over the summer. Definitely before med school. They said he was the hardest working orderly the hospital ever hired. The nurses on the floor said they’d fight over him during their shifts. Not the way you think, of course.” Trina laughed.

  “Well that’s good. There’s so much to learn about the humble and quiet Andrew Carrington.”

  “There isn’t that much to learn,” Andrew said, walking in with flowers behind her.

  “Ahh. See, this I why they say never to turn your back to a door,” Abby said. When Trina took the flowers from Andrew, Abby moved to him and snuggled into the crook of his arm, looking up at him. “How did you sneak in here so easily?”

  “Same way you did,” Trina said from the corner of the room. “Thanks for the flowers, Andrew. They’re beautiful.”

  “You’re welcome,” he answered, moving closer to John with Abby beside him. “So, feeling better?”

  “A bit every day. I’ll be over the hump soon.”

  “Good. Just remember to let them know if you need anything at all.”

  “Thanks, Andrew.”

  “Don’t worry, Andrew,” Trina piped up, smiling. “The nurses have been pampering him so much, he’ll be a needy boyfriend when he gets out of here. I can see it now; he’ll have a dinner bell beside him, to summon me when he needs stuff.”

  “That doesn’t sound like a bad idea, Trina,” John joked, reaching out his good arm to invite her closer.

  “You wish,” she said. She feigned a grimace and sat on the edge of the bed, then leaned on his chest lovingly.

  “Before I forget, did you get things worked out with SFSU for the semester?” Abby asked.

  “Yes we did, actually,” Trina answered. “The timing couldn’t have been better, otherwise we would have lost out on some tuition, and possibly course credits, had it been even a week or two later. We had a serious talk, and got some advice from John’s head doctor. We withdrew from school for the semester. We’ll either go back for the last semester, or wait until September, depending on how he responds to physiotherapy.”

  “That’s great. You can support each other. It must be hard on you too, Trina. Not that you were hurt, but the uncertainty and worry can take its toll.”

  “Yes,” Trina answered, looking up at John briefly. “So true. We’ll be there for each other.”

  Abby noticed Trina doing her usual. She was staring; looking intently at her, then over to Andrew. She was assessing, evaluating, as though she saw more than what was on the surface.

  “Hey, are you two going to hang around for a while?”

  “Not exactly,” Abby answered, guessing this would be a short visit. “Why? Do you need anything?”

  “No, we’re good. After our card game, the nurse will be here to change John’s dressing. Not pretty at all, although you and Andrew are probably used to it.” She looked up at John. “No offence, honey.”

  John kissed her hair and smiled. “None taken, dear.”

  Andrew spoke up. “We should actually be going. But I’ll pop by during the week or next weekend to check in again.”

  “Actually,” Trina said, pulling gently from John’s hold to stand up. “Do you fine men mind if I have a private chat with Abby for a minute? We’ll just be at the vending machine. I won’t keep her for long.”

  Andrew nodded. “Sure. I have to make a call, but I’ll be at the main floor entrance. Take care, you two.” He shook Trina’s hand and nodded at John before leaving.

  Trina took Abby’s hand and left the room in the opposite direction. “So what’s going on? I thought you went back to Frisco?”

  “I did. Andrew came out there. On some business. And to see me. I flew back with him for the weekend.”

  “Very nice. So how has it been? Not that I want to be nosy, but something’s different. I figured I check to see if you felt like talking about it. Girl talk is good sometimes, you know?”

  They sat in a corner of the reception area at the end of the hall. “It’s been great. A whirlwind. He’s a great guy.”

  “Good. And?”

  “And what?”

  “And what’s wrong?”

  “Seriously,
Trina. It’s all going well.”

  “You know, you couldn’t fool me with the kiss-blush. You think you can fool me with this? Look, I know we’re not close friends, but you can talk to me. I can see you two staying together. I just see something different this time.”

  “Something like what?”

  “You tell me. I can’t read minds.” She laughed.

  Abby was hesitant at first, but she could trust Trina. “I’m not sure either, to be honest. He’s amazing, you know? And I enjoy being with him. I think everything’s just happening so fast. There’s something he’s not telling me. Something big. I think he’ll tell me eventually, but you’re right. It’s a little wall I can’t seem to get him to climb over.”

  “Do you love him?”

  “It’s barely been a week, Trina.”

  “So what? Love isn’t one of those time-dependent things. Sometimes you just know.”

  “True, I guess.”

  “So?”

  “So what?”

  “So do you just know?”

  Abby held her breath. “Yes. I love him.”

  Trina hugged her. “Then hold on to that. Give him time. I read Andrew like a book the first night we met him.”

  “And?”

  “He’s kind and good. A little shy. Awfully tormented, but a great catch.”

  “Okay.” Abby stood up. “Well, I’d better not keep that awesome catch waiting downstairs. I’ll probably be back again in a few weeks. I’ll pop by again, okay?”

  “Sounds good,” Trina answered.

  She walked with Abby to the elevator and waved goodbye when the doors closed. Abby had not intended to share as much as she did, but sharing left her more at ease. The big picture was she cared about Andrew. They could figure the rest out in time.

  Chapter Fourteen

  ANDREW knew he had to talk to her. As warm and kind as Abby was, he felt a subtle difference since the nightmare. Her behaviors and actions—and how she spoke to him after that—were muted, somehow. If he didn’t do something fast, he was certain he’d lose her.

  He left his office to look for her. She was in the library, working on her laptop.

  “Hey.”

  “Hi Andrew,” she said, smiling as she looked up from her screen.

  “Got a second?”

  “Sure. What’s up?”

  He stretched his arm out and took her hand. “We should talk. Let’s go in the living room out front.”

  “Okay.” She closed the lid to put the laptop to sleep, and got up to follow him down the hall.

  In the living room, he motioned for her to sit, and sat beside her on the sofa.

  “So what’s up?” She asked, peering up at him with curious intensity.

  He paused and turned to her, gathering his thoughts. “I’m sorry about last night.”

  “Sorry? About what?”

  “That nightmare I had. I didn’t want to alarm you. And I’m certain I did.”

  “You don’t have to apologize.”

  “Yes I do.”

  “No. You don’t. People have dreams. Some are good; others, not so good.”

  “True, but I think it was worse because I’m not sharing certain details with you.”

  “What kind of details?”

  “Things about my past.”

  “We all have a past, Andrew.”

  “I know. I’ve wanted to be more forthcoming, believe me, I have. I’m just not sure where to start, really.”

  “Start from the beginning, or the end. Or wherever is easiest.”

  “There’s no easy part of this.”

  “Then share when you feel you can trust me.”

  “I do trust you.”

  “You think you do, Andrew. But deep down, you don’t. I’m not upset that you don’t. I’m not mad, or disappointed, or upset at all. We need time. It’s not something we’ve had. I’ll admit, I want to know everything about you. I want to share everything about myself with you. But that can’t happen overnight. It’s been seven days. We’ve got to give it time.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “I’m positive.” She looked pensive for a moment, and then continued. “Just promise me something.”

  “Anything.”

  “That’s dangerous, Andrew. Don’t promise me that. It’s too big. And no one can keep a promise of something as big as anything.”

  “Okay. What then?”

  “Promise me that if part of your dark past happens to come up in natural conversation, you won’t avoid sharing.”

  “How do you mean?”

  “I mean, just let it flow when it feels right, or when it comes up. I promise I won’t intentionally ask, but if it happens in conversation—and I won’t know because I still don’t know what it is—promise that you won’t shut me out, and that I won’t have to always watch what I say. Deal?”

  He took a breath. He wasn’t sure he could keep that promise. But this conversation was a gateway to open the door. “Deal. Yes. I will do everything I can to be open.”

  ***

  ANDREW was sweating bullets. It was time for her to fly back for the week, and although they had already made plans to see each other the following weekend, he didn’t think he could bear waiting a week before seeing her. The helicopter was waiting for her outside. He had decided to say his goodbye now so he wouldn’t have to fly back after she made it to San Francisco. Now, he wasn’t so sure. He straightened up when he saw her come to the front door with her bags.

  “All set?” he asked, taking her luggage from her hands and reaching in for a kiss. She wrapped her arms around his waist. She clung to him. He loved it.

  “Yes,” she answered. “Well, no. I wish I could stay, but duty calls.”

  “Let me get this to the chopper. Be right back.” He took her things out to the waiting helicopter, nodded at the pilot, and placed them in the space behind her seat. He hurried back. He wasn’t ready to let her go, but she had commitments.

  “Okay. Your bags are all good.” He took her in his arms again, soaking in her scent and her warmth one last time before she left. “And I understand. You know you’re always welcome to come and stay with me, right?”

  “Yes. I do.” She looked up to him with a soft smile and saddened eyes.

  “I’ll see you next weekend, right?”

  “Definitely. And Andrew?”

  “Yes?” He sensed she had questions—probably the question—but with her departure just minutes away, it was not something he could handle. Not now. It was like the wound had re-opened after his most recent nightmare, and was twice as painful. He looked at her, doing his best to just enjoy this last moment before they saw each other again. The thought of being grilled cast a shadow over it.

  “Can I ask you something?” she asked.

  There it was. The beginning of the inquisition. Maybe it was not, but to Andrew, it felt that way.

  “Sure,” he said politely, hoping he was formal enough that she would keep it light and to a minimum. It was not the right time.

  “Have you ever been in love, Andrew?”

  “Can we…can we save this one?” He answered. “That’s a big one, Abby. And you’re leaving any minute now. I will sit with you and find a way to tell you everything, top to bottom, beginning to end, the next time I see you. I promise. For now, as you’re leaving so soon, why don’t we just not talk about it. Let’s enjoy the silence. I really enjoyed being with you.”

  He felt like an idiot for saying the last couple of sentences the second it came out.

  “Come on, Andrew.”

  Oh no. She’s putting on the pressure. This is not good.

  “I promise I’ll just be an ear. I won’t judge you. You can tell me.”

  “Abby, please don’t,” he pleaded.

  Her wide eyes and upturned curves of an approaching smile just about undid him. He wished he had made enough progress to share, but knew he had not. The pit that was forming in his stomach made him certain this conversation was not going to end
well. And he wasn’t helping either.

  “You know what I think?” She continued. “I think yes. You have been in love.”

  “Um, yes, Abby,” he answered, hoping if he conceded to this first affirmation, he could maneuver out of the lion’s den. “But then, it ended. She’s not with us anymore. She died.”

  “Are you uncomfortable telling me what happened to her?” she asked.

  “Yes.”

  Abby was snuggled up so close and feeling so warm, it killed him to cut her off. He knew it was just her curiosity and not any intentional torture, but it still felt like torture to him.

  “Does it have anything to do with your scars?”

  “Stop it. Please, stop it okay?” his voice now boomed and reverberated around the hallway.

  She recoiled, taking a step backward, and had the most confused expression on her face; having seen this new, anxious side of him. It wasn’t a tone he ever wanted to use with anyone who was this special to him, but could not control it. He had to get her to stop. He stepped back slowly. He was on edge. Maybe some distance would be best. He wasn’t ready.

  “Look. I’m sorry,” he said. “I’m so sorry, Abby. I think you should get going so you don’t miss you flight. Get home, and I’ll phone you tonight to see how you made it, okay?”

  “It’s clear this is bothering you, Andrew,” she answered. “I’ll go now, but think about this. What if I have questions tomorrow? Or next week? We’ve all been through stuff. I would never judge your past. I just feel you may need to talk about it.”

  “I do. But not now. Please try to understand.”

  “I’m trying, Andrew. I feel there’s a wall you won’t ever let down for me to get closer.

  His patience waned as his irritability grew. “If you’re so sure of that, how can’t you tell I’m not ready, Abby?”

  She took another step back and turned to the door. That was it. He probably lost her. Shit!

  “You’re right,” she answered, reaching for the front door handle. “I can’t possibly know what you’ve been through or what exactly you’re feeling. Especially if you don’t tell me. Good night, Andrew.”