Fell In Love With My Roomy Chapter 37

I arrived home drenched, hoping Kent wouldn't be there. Despite the chaotic day, we were advised to spend the night with loved ones. Right now, I needed all the support I could get, and that meant returning home.

Upon entering my apartment, I shed my raincoat and dropped my bag to the floor, feeling utterly drained.

"Julianna?" Kent paused his work at the dishwasher upon hearing me. Our eyes locked, my lower lip quivered, and tears streamed down my cheeks. Concern laced his voice as he asked, "What happened to your clothes? It's only 40 degrees outside. Did you walk home like that?"

Another wave of emotion threatened to engulf me, and I struggled to hold back sobs. Defeated, I removed my shoes, but now my toes felt numb, and I couldn't think clearly, haunted by disturbing images in my mind.

Kent approached me from behind, placing his hands on my shoulders.

"What went wrong, honey?" He inquired softly, tears welling up in his own eyes. I responded by wrapping my arms around him, and to my surprise, he reciprocated, holding me close and cradling my head against his chest. His comforting scent invoked memories of the previous Saturday night, a moment of safety and familiarity.

"My god, you're freezing," he murmured, his words causing my heartache to intensify. "What happened?" Kent persisted as I managed to take a few sporadic deep breaths.

"Something terrible occurred at the pool," I whispered, my voice trembling with tears. "I'm almost certain someone died." The admission made me cry harder, and Kent surprised me again by lifting me off the floor effortlessly, placing his hands at my waist and instructing me to wrap my legs around him.

He carried me to the couch and created a seat for both of us, one hand on my back and the other cradling my head.

"Why do you say that?" He questioned, his tone gentle as I trembled.

"Because she couldn't breathe on her own when they took her," I choked out, my whole body convulsing. "I should have done something... I should have—"

"Take a deep breath, Julia," Kent murmured, his hand gently stroking my back as I held onto him. "I'm not going anywhere." I nodded silently, relieved to have him here. "You should change, or you'll catch a cold."

"I don't care," I muttered, closing my eyes. I had no desire to move even an inch. Although I felt slightly better, I was afraid of losing that progress. Kent retrieved a blanket from the end of the couch and draped it over me as I continued to cry.

I remembered that it took me longer than usual to calm down, but Kent stayed true to his word, never leaving my side.

"I should call my mom," I mumbled, shifting back slightly. "Have her come get me."

"What?" Kent inquired, sounding surprised.

"My boss suggested that we shouldn't spend the night alone and should stay with someone close to us," I replied. Kent shook his head.

"I'll always be here, so you won't be alone," he reassured me.

"This has nothing to do with you. I can't handle this all on my own, so I should just call her," I muttered, and Kent's hand gently moved up my body to rest on the side of my face, just above my cheekbone.

"I want you to do what's best for you," he said softly. I quietly agreed with his sentiment. "But I'd be more than willing to help."

"Really?" I wiped away a tear and asked. "It doesn't seem like you know much about this."

"I'm capable in many ways," he replied, his voice gentle. "I want to be of assistance. You've offered to help me around here, and I feel like I owe you something," he continued, and as I sat on his lap, gazing into his eyes with my hands on his shoulders, my mind went blank. "I know last weekend was strange, so let me try to make this weekend better."

I had no reason to refuse; in fact, I had every reason to accept. This enigmatic and mysterious guy wanted to support me, attempt to mend things, and simply be there for me.

"If you believe your mom can offer you more assistance, you should reach out to her. But remember, I'm right here. If you want to grieve, I won't leave you," he assured me, prompting a blink from me. "I've become better at handling sorrow."

"Um, I suppose I could call my mom later," I mumbled, feeling my throat tighten. He nodded in understanding.

"We both acknowledge that we find each other a little strange," he said in a gentle tone. "I know you might not know how to act around me, but I don't want you to feel uncomfortable. Tonight, Julianna, I'm here as your friend," he whispered, causing my lower lip to quiver as I attempted to stay composed. "Come here," he added gently, and I leaned in, letting my tears fall.

"Thank you, Kent," I whispered, and he nodded, allowing me to wrap my arms around him.

"Everything happened so quickly," I said.

"No need to discuss it right now, okay?" He asked, and I simply nodded.

"Okay," I responded as he ran his hands up and down my back. "Sorry, but I'm completely soaked," I added with a weak chuckle.

"Don't worry about it," he reassured me.

I hadn't been physically close to Kent often, but the times we had were memorable. They brought me happiness and a sense of completeness. This was by far my favorite moment.

"That was terrifying," I said softly, and he nodded in agreement. "I've never had to do any of those things before. But I promised her I'd be there for her and help her," I mumbled, and he tightened his embrace.

"Julianna, you did help," he said reassuringly, and I shook my head before continuing.

"It didn't seem like anyone knew whether she'd survive or not. Maybe if I had just... I don't know what to do."

"What happened?" He inquired.

"Even after I administered an Epi-pen for her allergic reaction, it wasn't enough to save her. I had to perform CPR, and the sounds it produced were horrifying. She looked to be only 16 years old."

"Honey, you need to take a step back," he told me, and my tears flowed freely. "You're making a mountain out of a molehill. You did everything you could to help her. You need to remember that. You couldn't have predicted what would happen to her or in the future."

"That was dreadful," I continued, and he wiped away a few of my tears. "I'm sorry you had to go through that," I added while he placed his hands on my waist. "I feel like a wreck," I sobbed. "Because I was in charge at the time, I feel like it's my fault. I was the head lifeguard on duty, and I—"

"You were courageous, too," he interjected. "You did your best, and you can't blame yourself for things you couldn't change," he reassured me, sighing and placing one hand between my shoulder blades. "I know you don't feel that way now, but you will."

"How do you know?" I asked slowly.

"Because that's what the doctors told me during my rehab," he whispered, causing me to part my lips. "I felt responsible and thought it was my fault, but it wasn't. I figured out how to cope with it, and you will too."

"I'm not so sure," I murmured, shaking my head.

"Right now, everything is new, but it will settle," he assured me. "I'm bothered by all of this because I know you put your own feelings aside, communicated with everyone to ensure they were on the same page when it was happening. I know you held that girl's hand when you administered the Epi-pen, and I know that even though it frightened you, you pushed through so that she could feel secure," he said softly, causing me to blink. "Now that the adrenaline has worn off and it's all over, you're coming down."

"How did you know I was holding her hand?" I asked him quietly, and he chuckled.

"Because that's the kind of person you are," he replied. "I'm observant," he added, laughing when I smirked and rolled my eyes. "Look at that smile. I told you it would all work out," he said, prompting a small laugh and a tearful smile as I embraced his shoulders.

"There are moments when you aren't even the worst," I said slowly, eliciting a laugh from him.

"Do you mind taking a hot shower and changing your clothes? I believe it might ease your mind, and I'll be here when you're finished."

"I will," I mumbled. "Just a few more minutes, I'm not finished yet," I told him. He chuckled softly and embraced me once more.

"Alright," he replied.