Page 109 of Come Apart
"I don't care. I want you."
The sun sets over the horizon, a violent burst of red bleeding into the blue sky.
Alyssa shakes her head. "I took your entire afternoon."
"I'll tell you a million times if I have to. I'd rather be with you than be anywhere else."
"Okay." She looks to the ocean. Watches the waves pound the sand.
"Do you want to talk about it?"
She shakes her head. "Not right now. I'm still..."
"Processing?"
She nods.
"I'll be here as long as you need me. I promise."
"Even if I relapse and need to go back to treatment?"
I nod. "No matter what."
She turns her gaze back to me. There's so much need in her eyes. So much desperation. She's never had anyone to count on. Not like this.
I swallow the hurt that bubbles up in my chest. She won't have to feel like that anymore. She won't have to be alone anymore.
Her gaze shifts away again. She moves closer, enveloping me in the softest, sweetest hug. "Thank you."
"It's nothing."
She shakes her head. "It's everything."
