The Hour of Dreams Read Online Free Page A

safe. But there we were, arguing, so I caved. “Okay. I’m sorry. I don’t want to fight. Please.”
    He balanced his weight and crossed his arms. “How could you keep something like that from me? With everything we’re trying to do here. It’s like you’re working against me.”
    “I’m not working against you.”
    “Yes, you are. If you know you’re having side effects and you keep that from me, then you are working against me. How can I help you like that?”
    The distance between us felt cold, and, although I hadn’t told him for this very reason, he was right. I stepped close to him in submission, leaving only an inch between us. He stood still for a moment, but then accepted my invitation and pulled me in for a much-needed hug.
    “You’ve already helped me,” I whispered, and with that he squeezed me harder. “I’m sorry,” I said.
    “Just please don’t keep anything else from me.”
    “Okay,” I murmured.
    We hugged for a few moments before he made me agree to see Dr. Carter the next day, and then I told him for the first time why Dawn was upset. The expression on his face was similar to when he first noticed my nosebleed.
    “Are you serious?”
    “I’m serious.”
    By then we’d let go of each other and used the wall next to us for support. I leaned in close. “Wes, I think I want to tell her about us?”
    His head snapped back. “You what?”
    “You heard me.”
    He crossed his arms again. “I’m sorry, I thought you just said you were personally sabotaging your own recovery by hiding a side effect from me, and that now you want to tell our secret to one of the biggest gossipers on this side of the Mississippi?”
    “Wes.” I dropped my shoulders. “I’m not trying to sabotage anything. That’s not fair. And I just want to help. Jackson turned his back on her. He said that he wants her to get rid of it because he won’t be able to go to college and play lacrosse. Seriously.”
    A glimmer of sympathy touched Wes’ eyes. “He said that?”
    “Yes.”
    “Well maybe he doesn’t know what he’s saying. Give him time to think about it.”
    “She did. She’s seven weeks along and he’s known for a while. They had another falling out about it tonight, and she’s planning to get rid of it, because she’s alone and scared.”
    He shook his head slowly. “And how is telling her our secret going to help?”
    “Because, Wes, I want her to know what it really feels like to worry about not having a future. I don’t want that baby to miss out on a life because her mother doesn’t really understand what a gift it is.”
    My eyes started to glass over, and he pulled me in for another hug. “Here we go again. You’re always trying to help everyone else. Even I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you. And you wouldn’t know the truth if you hadn’t been ready to jump off a bridge for a stranger. I still don’t think it’s a good idea, but if you feel she’s really going to do it, and you want to help her, then I’ll understand.”
    He looked completely doubtful, but I appreciated his support more than he would ever know. I just hoped it was the right decision if it came down to it.

Chapter 4

SACRIFICES
     
    A fter our discussion, Wes ordered Chinese food, and I went to the guest room to see how Dawn was doing. She was on the bed, lying on her back, completely still. I would’ve thought she were sleeping had I not walked over to find her eyes open.
    “Hey.”
    “Hey,” she responded, still looking at the ceiling.
    I sat down next to her and curled my feet under me.
    “So, what did Jackson say this time? It looked like he was being a jerk.”
    She let out a huff. “Yeah. I’d say so.”
    “Same old, same old?”
    “Yup.”
    We were quiet for a moment. “I would’ve gone over there too, you know. You did the right thing.”
    “Yeah, well, it’s a little late for the right thing.”
    “No, it’s not. Not really.”
    She finally turned her head in my direction.