Crossing lines (Noah and Aiden) novel Chapter 162

Chapter 162

A broken sound escaped him—a mix of protest and relief, raw and ragged.

“You want to stay with your sister at the hospital? Then stay. If you want to be with your mom, go ahead. But you’re not walking into that house with him by yourself. I’ll find us a hotel. I’ll stay out of the way if you need me to, but I’ll be there. Every single night. You’re not facing this alone anymore—not now,” I said firmly, my voice steady but gentle.

For what felt like an eternity, he just looked at me, chest rising and falling unevenly, tears streaming freely down his face. Then, without warning, he folded forward, clutching my shirt like it was his lifeline, as if letting go would make him disappear.

“I’ve got you,” I whispered, wrapping my arms around him tightly, rocking him gently as he trembled. “You don’t have to carry this weight by yourself anymore.”

When he finally slumped against me, exhausted and still shaking, I carefully eased him back onto the cushions of the couch.

“Breathe,” I urged softly, smoothing his damp hair away from his forehead. “Lie down. Close your eyes. Let me handle everything else.”

He obeyed, curling into the soft embrace of the couch, his breaths ragged but slowing. I pulled out my laptop and started working—booking two seats on the earliest flight to West Virginia I could find. Then, I emailed his professors to excuse him from classes and sent a quick message to the assistant coaches about skipping practice. My phone buzzed relentlessly, but I ignored it all.

Nothing mattered in that moment except him—and making damn sure his father never got close enough to hurt him again.

By the time the plane was airborne, some of the sharp panic had faded from his eyes. He sat by the window, head tilted back, his eyes red-rimmed but no longer wet. His hands clenched tightly in his lap, restless, as if relaxing them would make him break apart.

He spoke quietly, almost as if confessing a secret. “I talked to my mom this morning. Emily’s stable. They stopped the bleeding. Broken bones, yeah, but she’s alive. She told my dad I’m coming.” His jaw clenched tightly, eyes burning with a fierce intensity. “I don’t know how I’m going to look at him without—without just attacking him.”

I cupped his face in my hands, but he shook his head gently, pressing his words deeper.

“I want you with me,” he said quietly. “When I go in. When I see them. Please. I want you there.”

I searched his face, seeing the tremble in his hands, the vulnerability in his eyes. The plea was real, raw.

“If you’re sure,” I replied softly, “then it would be an honor to be by your side.”

A breath escaped him, shaky but filled with relief. He kissed me again, this time softer, more tender, before pulling away to grab his jacket. And just like that, we were heading toward the hospital—together.