Page 25 of All the Promises We Break

“Where did you just go?”

“It just became real. Like really real. I’ve run away from being a Cooper in so many ways. I’m leaping toward being a Sawyer. We can create a new legacy on our own to be a part of the oneyour father and grandfather started. I’ll do everything I can to deserve it.”

“We’re honored, I’m honored to give you my name. Keep Cooper, take Sawyer. Either way you’re stuck with all of us.”

“I want your name. I do, now more than ever.”

“Keep practicing saying I do or yes.”

“I can think of one way I can practice saying yes.”

“What’s that, beautiful?”

“Take me home and it should be obvious.”

Chapter Ten

Elijah

Monday was the hardest and the best day. Dylan and I left her rehearsal that afternoon feeling stronger than we had in weeks. It made each day a little bit easier. Anna and I worked out a private schedule for me I knew I could handle for the first couple of weeks.

Dr. Collier didn’t want me to push but I did, only a little. I worked in the office five hours instead of four. I only did an hour or so from home at night. I knew it was only temporary, so I didn’t fight it. Where Dylan was concerned, my body was fighting harder than I could have imagined. Even if I wasn’t physically ready, I needed to feel her.

There was a time, before my accident, where I didn’t ride my motorcycle for a while. The first time I rode again after about two years was like a child after the training wheels came off. You wobble but you don’t fall. I was fired up Monday night. I was on a rush from being able to be free with my feelings for Dylan wherever and whenever I wanted, including her studio.

Tuesday I still rode that high until I got home. I didn’t realize how much I did in a day before the accident. I could pull sixteen to eighteen hours on four hours sleep, two small meals on the go, and a pot of coffee. Now two five hour days and my private dances with Dylan had fatigued me to the point Skye called my father to check on me.

I got the scolding of my adult life for disobeying my medical advice by day three. Anna was told to forward my calendar to him and I was to either adhere to my schedule, as agreed, beginning again Thursday morning, or he would bench me. His exact words.

My father doesn’t get angry easily or often so I don’t take his orders or word choice lightly. I’m in our dark bedroom lying down by the time Dylan gets home from class. I hear the creak of the door as she comes in. Her shadowed frame stands tall right beside me. She doesn’t say a word or pass any judgment.

I doze in and out for a few minutes. I hear only snippets of things. The ice maker churning ice, the refrigerator door closing, the running of water. Then I notice the light scent of lavender in the room. The bed hollows out next to me as I feel two petite fingers massaging either side of the bridge of my nose.

“I’m glad to see you listened to your father,” she whispers.

“He told you?”

“I got a text in the middle of class. I moved my rehearsal time.”

“I thought I could do it. I thought I was back.”

“You are. You just need your body to catch up. You’ll still have good days and some not so good ones. Today was not so good. I’ll take care of you and you’ll try again tomorrow. Did you take anything?”

“About an hour ago. It’s only scratching the surface.”

“In another hour, I’ll get your other meds if this doesn’t help.”

“Two steps forward. One step back.”

“Do you remember when I was practicing so hard for the showcase? I went past my limit and what happened?”

“I had to step in.”

“That’s right. Time for me to pay you back. What was it you said to me, ‘I know control is your thing but this is one of those times I’m not fine with it.’ I want you to be still. I’m going to put a chilled cloth on your forehead and massage the cords in your neck. You’ll heal, Eli. You will. I’ll be right here as you were for me. I’ll say it again, you need to rest then try again tomorrow the right way. I might need to use a word I don’t often use with you. That’s no.”

She smiles before cuddling tight to my side while she tries to erase all the pain, tension, and worry from me. “Will you marry me?” I ask.

Dylan’s lips turn up against my chest. “I think I’ve already answered that question.”

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