Page 131 of Dear Rockstar (Dear Rockstar 1)

But it was my heart, still beating in my chest like a steady drum, that knew the truth. It didn’t matter where I settled—if Dale wasn’t there, I wouldn’t be happy. I wouldn’t ever be happy without him.

Dale appeared at the end of the hallway.

I jumped up, ready to tell him so, ready to give it all up for him—because without him, there was nothing.

Then I saw he had his coat and his shoes on.

And he looked furious.

“I’m going out,” he said coldly, not even glancing at me. “I’ll be back before midnight.”

He headed for the door and I watched him, my heart sinking.

“Where are you going?” John called.

Dale hesitated, hand on the doorknob.

He glanced back, looking straight at me. “I’m going to spend some time with someone who appreciates me. If you want me, call Holly Larson’s. She’s listed in the phone book.”

The door clicked shut softly behind him and my heart stopped in my chest.

He’d just taken it with him, right out the front door.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

We met up at the hospital three days later.

“Who called you?” I asked, seeing Dale talking to a nurse at the desk as I was coming out of Aimee’s room. Matt and her mother were still in there, but I couldn’t stand it, not for another minute. I couldn’t stand myself—for not seeing, not saying something, not paying enough attention.

Again.

Selfish.

Dale had been right about me.

“Sara?” He grabbed me by the upper arms, pulling me aside, looking me up and down like he thought I might be hurt. “What are you doing here?”

“What are you doing here?” I asked, realizing he obviously didn’t know about Aimee.

“My dad was in an accident.”

My hand flew to my mouth. “No!”

“He’s fine,” Dale insisted, shaking his head. “Whiplash. They’re keeping him overnight for observation.”

“Thank God. Can I see him?”

Dale nodded, but neither of us moved. His face and eyes softened as he looked at me and I wanted to put my arms around him and kiss him and tell him I loved him and how sorry I was about everything, but I couldn’t, not there in the middle of the hospital.

“Sara…” he started, his thumbs moving on my upper arms, hands still holding onto me, not wanting to let me go. Then he seemed to remember. “Wait… what are you doing here?”

“Aimee’s here…” I pointed to the room I’d just come out of. “She’s… oh Dale, she’s sick again. I’m not sure if she ever really got better…”

And what are the odds of that? That’s what the Aimee in my head said in regards to she and John just happening to end up in the same hospital on the same floor at the same time—the Aimee in my head nudging me and talking about fate and destiny and people who were meant to be together.

“Oh no.” Then Dale did put his arms around me, pulling my head to his chest, and I closed my eyes, letting myself be held by him. It felt so good, like coming home. “Why can’t the universe just give you a break?”

I sniffed and half-laughed at his comment. “I’m pretty sure this isn’t about me.”

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