Page 34 of Always. Forever.

“What did they say?” Boh asks, biting his lip.

Cash lets out a big sigh, picking at lint that’s not even there on his jeans. “They think it was some kind of freak accident. They are not ruling anything suspicious, and with the high dosage of Xanax and Valium in his system, they think he . . .” Cash gets up and paces the room, appearing like he has the weight of the world on his shoulders, and he probably does, I think that’s how we all feel. “They didn’t have to say what they thought,” he grits out. “I can tell by their cryptic words that they want to consider it was done on purpose.”

I shoot up out of my chair. “What? No,” I let out. Tears form again in my eyes. “How can they even suggest that, Cash?” I look over to Jace, the tears bleeding from my eyes. That’s how is feels with all the crying I have done. There is no way he would kill himself. He was so happy, he had everything.Didn’t he?I break out into a loud sob, the pain slicing through my heart at even the thought of Jace not being happy and not telling me.

It doesn’t make any sense why he had taken Xanax and Valium together or even at all. He has never mentioned being on them before. A warmth envelopes me, and I know it’s Boh. I lean my head into his shoulder while he wraps his arm around me, cocooning me into him while I cry again.When will this nightmare be over?I keep running my eyes over Jace in the hope it somehow telepathically wakes him up.Please wake up, Jace.

The door opens again sometime later while we all sit around Jace’s bed in silence. I recognize the doctor from yesterday. Bridget is back now. Bridge and I have been consoling each other over what Cash has relayed from the police. She agreed that it’s not like Jace, and one of us would have known if he was taking those drugs. I feel a twinge in my heart when I think about it.Was I too wrapped up in myself?I don’t think I ever have been but now I keep thinking back.When did I ever ask Jace if he was okay, like really ask him.Was I too much to handle as a girlfriend that he had to take these?I try and stop the thoughts and bring myself back to the present, but they keep playing in my head.

My heart jumps from my chest when Cash leaps up from his chair.

“Any news?” Cash asks the doctor. I’m praying he has some good news for us.

“Mr. Stiles, Ms. Matthews,” the doctor says, then smiles at Bridget and Boh beside us. Cash and I are standing there staring at the doctor, waiting with bated breath. Bohdi places one hand on my shoulder as support. The doctor glances at Boh.

“That is Jace’s uncle, Bohdi Stiles, he can hear whatever you are going to say.”

The doctor nods. “Okay, but shall we sit down?”

“No, just tell us here. Now. Please,” I add in, desperate for information about Jace.

He gives me a small smile.

“Okay, as you know, Jace suffered extreme trauma to his head that has caused swelling to his brain. This is one of the reasons why Jace fell in a coma. He also stopped breathing, and at this time, we cannot determine how long for, this can cause a lot of issues with the brain and having a trauma already mixed in with that.” He stops to cast his eyes over all four of us. “We have run an EEG and various other tests, which focuses on Jace’s brain activity, we currently have specialists reviewing this now and will hopefully have results by tomorrow morning.” He takes a deep breath and looks at us directly. “I think you need to take each day as they come.”

“So, what . . . what . . .” I can’t get my words out.What does he mean each day as it comes?My head is spinning.

Cash is staring at the floor. “Cash,” I whisper.

I look back up at the doctor. Everything feels like it’s moving in slow motion.

“Are you saying that Jace may not wake up from the coma?” Bohdi breaks the silence. I’m praying the doctor doesn’t confirm this is what he is saying.

The doctor ever so slightly nods. “I’m afraid so.”

I stagger back, losing my footing. Someone catches me as I drop to the floor, lowering me gently. This cannot be happening, the imaginary rope binds its way around my neck again, and I struggle to catch my breath, all I see is dark shadows and hear quiet voices that sound far away. I close my eyes as my body slowly shuts down on me. I try to take a deep breath but it’s no use, the blackness engulfs me, and I pray to the gods I have never prayed to a day in my life that when I open my eyes again, this is all a dream.

Chapter Sixteen

Beep.Beep.Beep.This noise relieved me before, but now it’s a reminder of where I am and who is on the other end of that machine. I guess the gods didn’t answer my prayers. It wasn’t a dream.

I squint as a light temporarily blinds me. Bridget and Boh are kneeling beside me, their eyebrows drawn together, and eyes skating over my face as if they’re looking for any injuries. Tears are freely falling from Bridget’s eyes.

“Please tell me that was a dream?” I say to no one in particular.

Dr. Lane lowers his head to the floor.

“I think you will be okay. I know it’s hard but try not to stress too much,” he instructs. He helps me up off the floor, and I take a seat in the chair next to Jace.

I glance over at Jace, tears falling from my eyes.How can I live without him?There is no life without him in it. If Jace doesn’t walk this planet, I don’t know how I’m meant to walk it. I need him to come back to me. He will come back, there is no way he would leave me here alone. The doctor says something to Boh and walks out while Bridget follows him. Cash is nowhere to be seen, and Boh is sitting beside the hospital bed, holding Jace’s hand with his head cast down.

“Boh,” I whisper. Boh looks up at me with bloodshot eyes.

“He will come back to us.” I smile.

He forces a smile back at me. I know it’s hard to think positively, but I can’t think any other way.

“I’m going to get some coffee. Bridge will be back soon. Do you want anything?” Boh stands up, letting go of Jace’s hand.

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