Heat novel Chapter 25

As Ashley opened the door, the sight before her made her already weak body weaker. She couldn’t believe the sight in front of her. This wasn’t Jake, she had no idea who this person was, but when he whispered to her, reality smacked her right in the face, “J-Jake!” She weakly stuttered before everything went dark. Ashley’s body hit the floor with a loud thud noting both Roger and Katie’s attention as they rushed to the sound. 

Katie cupped her mouth as Roger rushed to Ashley’s side to check to see if she had a pulse. Katie glanced around before her eyes locked with Jake’s one, which made her gasped while taking a step back. 

Jake's eyes flooded with worry as he watched Ashley laid unconsciously on the floor. His heart ached more than his severe bruised body as he watched and couldn’t help.

Soon, two male nurses came to escort Ashley’s body out of the room causing Jake to slightly panic, “W-Where are they taking her?” He asked as his voice came out raspy and weak. Katie looked at Roger, asking him for permission as he nodded before leaving the room. Katie sighed before turning to Jake, who stared back at her with depressing eyes which made her heart ached.

“Ash is going to be fine Jake,” she reassured while taking slow, cautious steps towards his bedside, “How did you guys know I was at the hospital?” Jake asked as Katie furrowed, “Your father didn’t tell you?” She gently asked as he shook his head, “No, I didn’t want to talk to him,” he replied as Katie sighed before sitting on the chair close to his bed, “Your, your mother called Roger and told him you were here,” she said as Jake snapped his eyes towards hers as his eyebrows furrowed, “My mother?” He asked as Katie nodded while avoiding his gaze feeling guilty.

Jake seemed to notice the guilt she was feeling as he sighed, “Katie, I’m sorry,” he whispered but loud enough for her to hear causing her heart to skip, “Why are you apologizing?” She asked as he sighed again not being able to look her in the eyes, “Ever since I got here, I did nothing but blame you for my family falling ap- 

“Jake sto-

“No, please, let me finish,” he said cutting her off, “That night, I heard you and Ashley talking, I promise I wasn’t eavesdropping, but the things you told her, about your late husband and about falling in love with my dad, I realized that you can’t help who, you fall in love with,” he said catching Katie off guard, “Jake, you’re a good kid and what has happened to you is something I wouldn’t wish apart anyone not even my worst enemy, you didn’t deserve this,” she said as Jake sighed, “Maybe, I did deserve it,” he whispered as Katie looked at him with sadness in her eyes. “Jake-

“Can I ask you something?” He asked, sounding a bit hesitant, “Of course,” she said causing Jake to raise his good arm to let his hand gently massage his throat as he cleared it before speaking, “If you accidentally fell in love with someone you can’t have, what would you do?” He asked as he looked into her eyes. 

Katie stared back at Jake in shock before gathering the right words to say to him, “Well, if I really love that person and I found myself feeling lost without them, then it’s okay to be selfish, Jake, if you really in love with this person, give it a try and if it doesn’t work out then at least you tried,” she replied as a small genuine smile to stained her lips causing Jake to feel somehow at ease.