Following Me by Linde, K.A. (best books to read in your 20s .txt) 📗

That hadn’t been what she had expected.  “No.  No.  No.  I can’tdo that.”

“Devon, I said you wouldn’t likeit, but it’s a good idea.  Then, if he comes near you again, you can take legalaction against him.  I think you’re within your rights to press charges forassault and battery after what happened last night.  The least you cando is stop him from doing it again.”

“No,” she said, shaking her headand ignoring the pain.  “No hospitals, no cops, no court.  I should have mademyself clearer.”

“I already agreed to nohospitals.  I can’t agree to your other two.  You’re terrified that this guy isgoing to come after you for a reason.  He’s dangerous.  He could hurt you.  Icouldn’t live with that, and I can’t be with you twenty-four/seven to make surethat it doesn’t happen again,” he said, scooting closer to her.  “If you don’tget a restraining order, which I still say is the very least you should do,your distaste for hospitals won’t keep you from ending up in one.”

Devon looked away from Brennan,tears pooling in her eyes again.

“He’s applying to med schools inthe fall.  A record could keep him from getting accepted,” she told him.  Shedidn’t know why it mattered so much to her, but Reid had mattered for so long. Old habits die hard.

“You want this guy to become adoctor?” Brennan cried.  He was beside himself.  “Are you out of your mind?  Golook in the mirror, and tell me you want him treating patients!”

“No,” she said softly.  She didn’t,but it felt wrong admitting it.  “No, alright, I don’t.”

“Belle, don’t cry.”  Facing her,he kissed her softly.  “I didn’t mean to yell.  I just don’t think someonewithout a shred of compassion should be working in the most selfless job.”

“I know he shouldn’t,” she said. She had known that for a long time.

“You deserve to be with someonewho makes you happy.  Someone who won’t complicate your life.  Somebody whowon’t hurt you.”

“Someone like you,” she said.

“Someonelike me.”

COOK COUNTY CIRCUIT Court was abouta twenty-minute drive outside of the Loop in downtown Chicago.  Devon stared upat the imposing building with its all-glass entrance.  Her hands were shaking,but when Brennan touched her back, she began to relax.  She could do this. She could be strong.

The wait was to be expected, andmore than a half-dozen times she had tried to convince Brennan that they shouldjust leave.  He had smiled at her for strength before he told her that they hadmade the drive out for a reason.  He was happy to wait it out with her.

He had called in at work again. Devon had heard Jenn bitching at him through the line, but he had carefullyexplained that Devon had a concussion.  Jenn hadn’t sounded pleased, butreally, Devon needed Brennan around to help take care of her.  She was doing alot better, but she didn’t trust herself to be alone.

“Devon Sawyer,” a woman in a suitcalled when it was her turn.

She looked over at Brennananxiously.  “I can’t do this.  I can’t.  Brennan, what am I going to tellthem?”  She was panicking.

“The truth, Belle.  Just tellthem the truth, just like you told me.  I’ll be here waiting for you when youget done,” he reassured her.

“Promise?”

“Promise,” he said with a smile.

Devon stood stiffly and walkedacross the room with her head hanging down.  “I’m Devon,” she told the woman.

“Come with me,” the woman said. She had a comforting voice, not what Devon had been expecting.

They walked down a hallway, andthe woman took a seat behind a desk at a cubicle.  Devon sat across from herand folded her hands.

“How can we help you today, Ms.Sawyer?”

“I, uh…want to file a restrainingorder against my ex-boyfriend,” she said, trying to keep her voice fromshaking.

“Of course.  Let me get you thepaperwork.”  She rifled through a file cabinet against the wall and handed itto Devon.  “Just fill this out, and then I’ll see when we can get you in to seethe judge to plead your case.”

“Thank you,”Devon said softly, staring down at the paperwork in front of her.  There was noturning back now.

A FEW HOURS after her arrival, Devonexited the Circuit Court office with a temporary restraining order in hershaking hand.  The judge had approved her case and scheduled an officialhearing in three weeks.  She didn’t like the thought of what might lead up tothat.  Reid would get served papers.  He would realize what she had done—thatshe had taken legal action.  It was a complicated system, and she would have toface him in court to make it permanent.  The thought of seeing him again madeher stomach twist.

Brennan seemed pleased that ithad worked out in her favor.  He had suspected it wouldn’t take a lot of effortto get a restraining order.  Her face was pretty beat-up, and she hadn’t evenhad makeup at his place to hide any of it.  She was a pro at covering bruiseswith makeup.

The drive back into the city hada calming effect, and Devon found her eyes drooping.  It had been a long coupleof days, and with her head injury, she was just so tired.

“Hey,” Brennan said, shaking hershoulder softly.

She peeled open her eyes and sawthat they were parked somewhere.  She rubbed her eyes, and immediately, sheregretted it as pain shot through one side.

“Where are we?” she asked with ayawn.

“Jenn’s.  I just wanted to stopby and get my check.  Is that alright?” he asked, his face showing concern veryclearly.

“Yeah.  I’m not going insidethough,” she said, looking around.  She could see they were parked in the alleybehind the restaurant.

“I didn’t expect you to.  Want meto grab yours while I’m in there?” he asked.

“I got mine last week.  I don’tknow how you could even forget.”

“Distracted by a beautiful woman,I guess,” he said with a smile.  He leaned forward and planted a kiss on herlips.  “I’ll only be a minute.”

“Alright.  See you soon,” shesaid sleepily.

Devon closed her eyes and leanedher head against the window.  She could fall asleep again.  When they got backto Brennan’s, maybe she could sleep through the afternoon.  She hoped he wouldhold her.  Being with him calmed her nerves and allowed her to actually rest.

She felt herself drifting awaywhen the handle of the car door