Page 195 of Finding Hope

It’s been way too long.

He broke up with me. He doesn’t want me. I need to get my fill now, because soon, he’ll be gone.

“I saw you.”

His smile drops. Pulling back and taking my hand, he strokes my wrist, careful not to touch my IV lines. “You saw me? Where?”

“At school.” I watch his eyes turn to a glittering rage. “When you…” I shrug. “You know, with Brad.”

He nods sharply. “Yeah.”

“You helped me.” I frown, remembering Brad’s heavy body on mine. His angry eyes; so much anger. His heavy fists hurting me. “You saved me.”

He swallows audibly. “You saved my nieces, Bambie.”

“I love them.”

Dropping his head to our joined hands, he lets out a heavy breath. “They love you, too, Britt. They really do. Smalls said she’s sorry. For being mean. Shereallywants you to know that.”

“I’m not mad at her.”

He nods against our hands. “I told her that. I knew you wouldn’t be mad. She needsyouto tell her.”

“Okay…”

I try to think through the fuzz in my brain. I think about waking up with my brothers surrounding me yesterday…or was it the day before?I can’t remember. They said I was too banged up to go back to school for the rest of this term. I’d planned class parties and fun picnics for the last week of school. Even with a sass-filled Evie, I was excited to try to win her smiles. “I guess I won’t see her until the new semester…”

Nodding, he sniffles against my bedding. “That’s probably best. She’s pretty messed up about what happened; I don’t think she should see you in here.”

“Do you know when I’m allowed out?”

“No.” He shakes his head gently. “I don’t know. I think another day or so. That’s what Alex said.”

“Do you–”

“Listen, Bambie.” His eyes come up to meet mine. “Britt…” His eyes sparkle. “I’m sorry.”

Britt… That might be the second time he’severcalled me by my real name. My frown digs in deeper. “Sorry?”

“Yeah.” He kisses my hand. “I’m sorry for everything that happened to us. I’m sorry for what I said at the restaurant.”

“I didn’t cheat on you with Brad.”

“I know. I never thought you did. I was wrong for saying what I did, Britt. I was just so scared; of losing you, of losing everything that mattered to me. I can turn into a real dick when I’m mad or scared.”

I want to smile again. I want to laugh. It’s funny because it’s true, but my face simply hurts too much to smile. “I noticed your tendency to tantrum when you’re mad.”

“I’m so fucking sorry.”

“Hey.” Lifting my uninjured arm, I thread my fingers into his hair. “It’s okay. Everything’s okay.”

“No, it’s not! I still lost you.”

“Jack, I’m right here–”

“Hey, babe. I got–” Luc stops in the doorway and has Jack and I shooting apart like we’re guilty of a crime. He freezes at the threshold to the room and lifts his candy bar filled hands. “Shit. I’m sorry. I can come back–”

“No.” Standing so fast, his chair shoots back, Jack wipes a fast hand beneath his nose. For the first time since I woke, I notice the dark sling that holds a muscular arm against his chest. “It’s fine. I’ve gotta go. I’m sorry, Bambie.” Leaning in close, he presses a heavy kiss to my forehead. “I’m so sorry for everything.” He presses a second kiss between my eyes. This one’s different. This one’s goodbye. “Be happy, okay?”

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