Page 39 of The Heart You've Borrowed

“I know, I know. But I’m okay. I’m here Charlie and I’m not going anywhere.” I pull her out of the chair and pull her into the bed with me.

“I know and I am so thankful for that but I’m still so scared. I’m terrified to lose you.”

“You will never lose me Charlie. What happened today was scary and something no one should ever have to go through but you fought. You fought like hell and you won. You did that. And I am so damn proud of you. He won’t be getting out any time soon, he can’t hurt you again.” I kiss the top of her head.

“I know.” She nods slightly.

“I love you.” I whisper into her hair.

“I love you.” She holds onto me tighter.

We spend the next few hours in silence, her in my arms. I slowly drift off to sleep but I keep waking up to the same nightmare. In my nightmare, she doesn’t survive. Each time I wake up to Jett killing her and it makes me feel like my heart stops each time. Things could have ended so differently and I could have lost her. I’m thankful Brad and Kelly showed up when they did. If he had hurt her worse or killed her, I don’t think I would have survived.

Charlie and I have been through so much together. I’ve known her basically my entire life and I plan to know her for the rest of it. I plan to love her until the day I die. Today is a reminder that tomorrow isn’t promised and that we have to live for today. And I plan on living each day like that with her. She has gone through so much pain and hurt the last few years and I will make damn sure I make them up to her somehow.

“Hey.” Kelly whispers as she comes in, Brad close behind her.

“Hey.” I groan as I try to sit up better with Charlie still against my chest. She starts to stir.

“Hey.” Charlie whispers as she lifts off of me and stretches.

“How are you guys?” Brad asks.

“We’re okay.” Charlie nods her head.

“Thank you for everything.” I choke out, trying to keep my emotions under control.

“Of course man. When I saw Kelly running down the street to my gym as I was driving to the warehouse I knew something was wrong.” Brad clears his throat.

“I didn’t have his number but I remembered where the gym was.” Kelly says quietly.

“Thank you guys, seriously.” Charlie gives them a sad smile.

“Of course. I’m just happy we got there in time.” Kelly comes over and hugs Charlie.

“Me too. Plus I think all those training sessions we did paid off.” Charlie laughs.

“Well, I’m glad to hear it.” Brad runs a hand through his hair.

“Yeah, I’ll be signing up for more classes.” Kelly adds.

“So you're going to stay?” I turn to face her.

“I think so.” She smiles over at Brad.

“Guess she found something worth staying for.” I whisper to Charlie and she laughs.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Charlie

One Month Later

Today marks one month since Jett attacked us in the apartment. Sleep hasn’t come easy the last few weeks but each day it’s getting easier and easier. The first week after it was almost impossible to sleep, that day would play over and over again in my head every single time I tried to fall asleep. Lio decided to stay with me so that he could help me process everything that has happened. He has been amazing through all of this and I know that he is dealing with a lot too. We started going to therapy last week and it has helped us a lot.

She says that it will take time for us to process everything that happened and eventually move on from it together. I have hope that we will be able to move forward. Kelly has been staying with me on the couch since she hasn’t found a place yet. I didn’t think she would stay after everything but her and Brad seem to have hit it off and she seems really happy here.

“Are you almost ready to go?” Lio calls from the kitchen. He told me to get dressed and that he had a surprise for me today. I smile at myself one more time in the mirror before walking out of the bedroom.

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