Page 135 of Stay for Me
I don’t know what happened, but he’s alive, and we can fix anything else.
* * *
“Brenna? Brenna, honey, can you wake up?” a voice calls from the edges of my consciousness.
“Brenna, Jacob needs you.”
My eyes snap open, and I sit up so quickly that Catherine puts a hand on my shoulder to steady me. “What happened?” I ask.
“Nothing, you passed out, and . . . well, can you take the phone?”
She offers it to me, and when I take it, my hand is trembling. “Hello?” I say tentatively.
“Brenna.” Jacob’s deep voice fills my ears, and I start to cry. What is with the unending stream of tears? I cry, sniffing and trying to get a grip, but I can’t stop. The relief is so overpowering that I can’t hold anything in.
He’s alive. Truly alive. I can hear his voice, and he said my name.
“Jacob,” I hiccup.
“Brenna, beautiful, don’t cry.”
Oh, God, the sound of his voice. The warm timbre of it makes my heart feel as if it’s beating for the first time.
“I was so scared,” I admit. “God, I was so scared I would never talk to you again.”
“I’m sorry, baby. I’m okay, I promise.”
I wipe the tears from my cheeks. “Your plane crashed, why are you sorry?”
“Because you were scared. God, I was so . . . I should’ve called you. I should’ve told you I was coming back and I would be there. I’m such an asshole to have done that to you. Please know I regret all of it.”
Silly man. He didn’t go nuts and act like a total nutcase. “No, it’s me who is sorry. You were trying, and I was being stupid. It was just like déjà vu, and I couldn’t handle it. I was so stupid, and I knew I was being ridiculous as soon as you drove off.”
“We can talk about all this soon, beautiful. Catherine is going to give you a few options.” He sounds weary, and I can hear the effort in his breathing. “I’m . . . I’m fading out. They gave me some medicine, but I wanted to call you.”
“I love you, Jacob.”
“I love you, Brenna. With my entire heart and soul. Put Cat back on please.”
I hand her the phone, feeling both better and worse. Hearing his voice was part of the assurance I needed. Now, I just need to see him, touch him, and tell him everything that’s in my heart because I won’t waste time we’re not guaranteed.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Jacob
Istep off the plane in Pennsylvania, and I could kiss the ground. Catherine got me a flight back on a freight plane that was not equipped with anything fancy or a large crew. However, the plane was large, and that was all that mattered. The trip back was completely uncomfortable and uneventful, which I’ll take as a win.
Flying with two fractured ribs and bruises that cover my entire right side was fucking horrible, but I’m almost home. I’m almost to where the people I love are, and I’m desperate to see them.
I have no bags or any personal items. My phone was lost during the crash, and we didn’t have time to search for anything as the fuel was leaking.
It was strange leaving the flight crew today. I only spent a sliver of time with them, but it feels like we endured a lifetime together. Jessica is doing much better after her surgery, and I’ve made sure the team of doctors spares no expense treating her.
She saved my life. I owe her.
“Catherine said you have a limo waiting.” The pilot, Luis, exits the plane, pointing to the gate. “There isn’t supposed to be any press since they didn’t advertise that you left the hospital, but I’m sure they’ve figured it out by now.”
I nod. “Probably. Still, I doubt anyone thinks I’d be flying cargo.”
