Page 81 of Wildest Dreams

“Yeah, he is, but trust me, he redeems himself.”

“Not long till your signing, you getting excited?” Tripp asks and we watch as Aspen's face falls and she turns her face up to look at Riggs.

“I've cancelled,” and I see the way her shoulders sag forward. “I couldn't leave, not after everything that has happened.”

I nod silently.

“So sorry Aspen,” Tripp mutters as he lifts his coffee cup to his lips.

“Don't be sorry,” she smiles at him and my heart swells.

“There is always next year,” Riggs wraps his arm around her small frame and pulls her into him, placing a kiss on the top of her head.

Silence crackles around the room before Hudson runs through the door.

“Pacey is awake,” he rushes his words out.

“Let's go,” Riggs places his coffee and food down on the table and follows after Hudson.

Me, Aspen and Tripp sit and wait.

The last thing he will want is everyone crowding his room.

“Can you call my mom and let?—”

“Already on it,” Aspen smiles as she lifts the phone to her ear.

Tripp throws her a wink before his sole attention is on me, his boyish grin painted onto his face and my heart skips a beat.

And just like that, we're teens again.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

TRIPP

TWO WEEKS LATER

Never did I think that I would be dressed in another black suit so soon.

Difference was, this time, it was someone on our side.

I would be lying if I said it's been all rainbows and sunshine since I have been home from hospital; it's been hell.

But I won't give up.

“Ready?” Dixie's soft voice pulls me from my thoughts, her hand resting on my shoulder. Looking up at her, I smile. She is so beautiful. Wrapping my fingers around her delicate wrist, I lower my lips and kiss softly over her pulse point.

Mom and dad are waiting outside for me, Pacey is up and about, slowly, but he is up. I cast my eyes to my crutches, but I know it's going to be a long day, I don't know if I have it in me to be on my feet all day.

Sighing, I push the brake off my wheelchair and Dixie begins pushing me until we're at the edge of the porch. Riggs and Hudson lift me down and I hate it.

I try to hide my shame, but I can't.

She catches me.

She always does.

She gives me a sad smile and I hate it. Hate seeing her sad. Especially over me.

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