Love Always, Kate by D.nichole King Read Free Book Online Page A

things.”
    “Thanks, Leslie,” I said and started jogging after him, I’m not sure why. It wasn’t as if I could do anything about the situation.
    The look in his eye as he’d passed me in the hallway scared me. The voice that had spoken so softly to me turned cruel and edgy as he yelled at his father. I’d never dream of speaking to my parents that way.
    I checked the cafeteria first. He wasn’t there. I wandered around the first floor, poking my head into each of the waiting rooms. It was a large hospital, crowded with visitors and full of patients. Damian reeked of alcohol and probably wanted some place where he could be alone. I knew the third floor well, but the rest of the place was like a rat maze. After an hour of searching, I gave up. He obviously didn’t want to be found.
    I slipped on my hat and walked out into the cold November afternoon. It had begun to flurry, and the wind stung my cheeks. I shoved my bare hands into my coat pockets and stared down at my feet as I walked to my car.
    It was a long trek to the back of the parking lot, the only place I could find a spot. My mind wandered, thinking about the Damian I saw today, drunk and screaming. I touched my lips and remembered the warmth of his kiss. The guy who had taken so much care cutting my hair, kissing my bare head, caressing me, couldn’t be the same one I saw today.
    “Hey.”
    I jerked my head up. Damian stood leaning against my car, smoking. He looked different, not wearing scrubs. His black Columbia coat and faded blue jeans fit him much better than his hospital get-up. I swallowed as I made eye contact. Did he look sad or were his pupils that dilated?
    “I was looking for you,” I said. “In there.”
    “I don’t want to be anywhere near here.” He stared off in the direction of the hospital and threw his cigarette on the ground.
    “Yeah, I can tell.”
    “Wanna take me home? Doc confiscated my keys.” He had trouble pronouncing the last words.
    I nodded. “Sure.”
    I unlocked my yellow Bug’s doors. Damian opened the passenger door as I slid behind the wheel. He stumbled only slightly getting into the car, but fumbled with the seatbelt.
    “Fuck it,” he muttered.
    He gave up and I grabbed it and clicked it for him. He glared at me.
    “I don’t need a ticket,” I said quietly.
    “We wouldn’t want Miss Perfect to have that on her record, now would we?” he grumbled under his breath.
    I shifted my attention to the snowflakes circling around us . I didn’t know what to say, so we sat in silence for a few minutes, letting the car warm up.
    “You’ll have to tell me where to go.”
    Damian didn’t say anything. He just stared out the window. I could hear him breathing. Taking my hands off the wheel, I sat back in my seat. I didn’t want to push him, so I waited. Eventually, he sighed and turned to me.
    “Uh, I didn’t expect to see you here today.”
    “I forgot my gloves.”
    So lame .
    Damian reached down and unzipped his bag. There was a half- grin on his face as he pulled out my favorite pair of gloves. “I was going to give them to you on Monday.”
    If the smell of alcohol hadn’t been burning my nostrils, I would’ve found the gesture charming. I took the gloves from him, touching his hand. “Thanks.”
    He bowed his head, refusing to look up when he spoke. “Hey, I’m sorry. Like I said, you weren’t supposed to be here today.”
    “Damian, I don’t even know what happened.” I reached and placed my hand over his. He started to withdraw it but stopped. His eyes met mine.
    “My dad and I haven’t gotten along in a long time. Sometimes it just…” he paused and rubbed his forehead. “My mom and my brother died. They went out to get a birthday cake for The Good Doctor, and they never came home.”
    How drunk was he? Would he remember opening up to me tomorrow?
    The idea spurred some bravery within me, and I squeezed his hand. “I’m sorry.”
    “It hasn’t been easy.”
    “And the