Floating by Natasha Thomas Read Free Book Online Page A

a gasp of horror and covered her mouth with her hand. Her eyes filled with tears, and I couldn’t do anything but laugh at Lou. It made my chest hurt to do it, but damn if it wasn’t worth it. “Absolutely, I agree completely. You two ARE being fucking ridiculous.” Turning to face Kendall I say, “You didn’t ask me to do what I did, Kenny. I did that all on my own and what’s done is done. I’m almost all healed up and I’m going back to work soon. If I’m capable of doing that, clearly I’m well on my way to completely healed. You guys need to move past this because I have, and all you’re doing when you dwell on it is make it worse for me. I want to put this behind me and move on, but I can’t do that until you guys do too.”
     
    Launching herself off the couch, Kendall comes straight to me engulfing me in her arms. “I’m so sorry. I know I’ve said that a million times, but I can’t help it. What you did. You didn’t just save me, but my baby and Dec, too. I’m just having trouble coming to terms with that, that’s all.”
     
    I knew this, and I also knew Dec wouldn’t have survived without her; her baby would have died with her that day too, leaving a mark on Dec’s soul that could never be erased. “I know you’re grateful, and that’s all well and good, but in all honesty, you don’t have anything to be sorry for Kenny. I’m glad I did what I did. If it hadn’t, you wouldn’t be here and that is something worth celebrating like Lou said, not being constantly repentant over.”
     
    Squeezing me tightly Kendall replies, “You’re right. I know you’re right. It’s just so hard to process you being shot and nearly dying to save me like I said.” Rubbing her hand over her little baby bump, Kendall takes my hand in hers. “I’ll make you a deal.” I raise an eyebrow at her, signalling for her to continue, and she smiles softly. “I’ll stop all the stupid looks and shit, if you allow me to do something to thank you.” Just as I’m about to speak Kendall rushes to finish effectively cutting me off. “I’m not talking about flowers or chocolates, either. I want to do something special, something that shows you how grateful Dec and I really are. You can pick anything you want, it’s totally your choice, skies the limit.”
     
    Is she to be believed, skies the limit? The thing is; I can see the sincerity in her eyes, she means every word. I think I need to have a conversation with Dec in order to determine if this is just pregnancy hormone crazy, or genuine, bona fide, loco crazy, lock her up and throw away the key insane. It’s also the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. There is no way in HELL I would let her and Dec try to repay me with material possessions like she just suggested, but seeing the determination etched on her face, I know there’s no way she’s going to let me get out of this without giving her an answer. Whether she accepts that answer or not is another story altogether. Stubborn cow. Then the perfect solution comes to mind. I swear I’m a freaking genius sometimes, and it solves both our problems. It’s meaningful to me without being material, and I think it might even help Kendall through processing this shit. “Um. I do have something I want. You can say no, I mean…”
     
    Clapping her hands Kendall squeals. No. Scratch what I said before, there’s no need to ask Dec after all. She’s definitely loco if she’s getting this excited over doing something for me without waiting to hear what it is. For all she knows I could ask her to wax my vagina for Christ’s sake. Not that I’d ever do that, but she doesn’t know that “Anything. What is it you want V?”
     
     
    Taking a deep breath I ask, “Would you, I mean, would you do a tattoo for me?”
     
    Her brow furrows and she looks a little pissed. No. Maybe it’s more frustrated than pissed. Just as I’m about to tell her to forget about it, that it was a stupid idea, she comes back with,