Page 17 of Letters to the Lost

Dominic’s tattooed arms wrap around my waist before he spins me in a circle, a squeal slipping from my mouth before I can stop it.

“Put me down, you idiot!” I shout, slapping his shoulder.

“Kiss me first Cupcake,” he laughs against my lips, my legs still dangling in the air.

“Fine,” I groan, before pressing my lips softly against his.

Wiggling, I free myself and turn to Sebastian, but before I can even take a step towards him, Dominic spins me back to face him, his hand fisting my hair. He crashes his lips down to mine, dominating the kiss, claiming my soul once again. Reluctantly he releases me into Sebastian's arms.

Sebastian wastes no time in scoping me into his arms while whispering words of reassurance for me, calming my nerves just when I was on the precipice of an attack. This man somehow always knows what I need. He softly kisses me, cradling my head in his hand as we say goodbye, his reddish-brown hair getting into his eyes as he looks down at me.

“Get a trim while I’m away,” I laugh, as I push it away from his face. His gaze softens as he looks at me, smiling sweetly at me.

“Or I can always grow it out like Zander.”

“If that’s what you wanted, but we all know you would hate it. I’d give it a week before you chopped it off yourself,” I tell him, smiling widely at him even though my heart is breaking at the idea of leaving.

“Say goodbye to your other boyfriend, Sunshine.I’ll see you soon,” he pushes me along after another sweet kiss, leaving me craving more.

My gentle sweet man cradles my head against his chest, holding me for what feels like forever. Making me feel safe and comforted. His soulful brown eyes look down at me, shining with so much emotion. He’s not been the same since he found me, his eyes now haunted by what I did. No amount of ‘I’m sorry’ can make up for what I did to him, to all of them.

“I love you Spider-Man,” I whisper into his chest, his arms banding tighter around me like he doesn’t want to let me go.

“I love you too Babygirl, so much,” he replies before he too kisses me, my now puffy lips pressing against his eagerly, excited for what’s to come next when I’m home.

Finally, I pull back from everyone, unshed tears stinging my vision, but I refuse to let them fall. This is what's best, for all of us. My Dad and Brenn approach from the hospital entrance to where we are standing by the SUV, ready to take me to the program. Brenn carrying a weekend bag that I am assuming is for me.

Dad reaches me first, pulling me in for a tight hug that accidentally puts pressure on my ribs making me wince. Dominic and Tobias both notice and immediately pull me out of my dad's grasp, Dominic reprimanding my dad for causing me more pain.

“It’s ok! It was an accident,” I shout over the commotion, “I’m not that breakable, Jesus.”

“I know Babygirl, but I hate seeing you in any pain,” Tobias says, running his gaze over my body as he checks for further injuries. Brenn just rolls his eyes, pulling me from his grasp and into a hug that instantly relaxes me.

“What you got there?” I ask Brenn as I pull away from the hug, nodding my head towards the bag that now sits at his feet.

“Clothes and a few essentials for your time away,” He answers before he's tugging Bun out from between the slightly parted zipper.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” I launch myself at my big brother for another hug, needing him to know how much this means to me.

“What about Oogie Boogie?” Dominic pouts, referring to the teddy he’d gotten me when we first met.

“If she were to take any other teddy, it would be the fox. After all, she did choose that one first,” Zander replies with a smirk.

“You bastard!” Dominic shouts as he launches himself at Zander's tall frame, but Zander has him on the ground before I can blink.

“Are you done?” Zander asks him, still smirking at Dominic’s annoyed expression.

“Miss Carraher?” The driver asks me, obviously having enough of the idiots that surround me.

“Yes?”

“Are you ready to leave? We have a long drive ahead of us so we really should leave soon.”

“I guess so,” I sigh, before I turn to look at everyone around me.

“I’ll see you all soon. I love you all,” I tell them before I turn around and get into the waiting car before any of them can reply. Refusing to make this harder than it already has been. It’s only six weeks and then I’ll be home. Hopefully healthier and with better coping mechanisms than what I’ve been doing.

The driver closes the door, before placing my bag in the trunk. Then we’re driving away from the curb, the others still standing on the sidewalk, not moving until I’m out of sight.

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