Page 4 of I Promise You
Hurt people who have completely lost their way.
“Mind telling me what the fuck happened here? My partners are already getting Grim’s statement, but I want to hear your side of the story.”
I look at my hands, ignoring the police officer. They’re covered in Ari’s blood. It’s dry already but still feels like the horror will be forever tattooed on my hands. I won’t ever be able to look at my hands the same, knowing what just happened.
I need to be at the hospital. I need to be there when she wakes up, but I can’t. Grim will see right through me and then…our friendship will be over.
Finally, I meet the older cop’s eyes. His dark browns pierce through me, desperate to know my response. Wrinkles all over his face, his gut protrudes over his belt, and I try to speak, but I can’t. Nothing comes out. All I can think about is Ari. How the fuck does he want me to speak right now?
“Son?” he asks again, and my brows arch. He repeats his question, and I can’t find the strength to answer.
I swallow the tension I have in my heart. Watching my favorite nurse, not smiling, not talking, or moving…it did something to me.
Screw this, I can’t hold back anymore. I won’thold back what I feel for her anymore. She might die and I refuse to lie to myself anymore. I love the girl. I love…her.
Always have.
She’s with Grim, but I don’t care. I’ve been patient and understanding and that hasn’t gotten me anywhere. It’s only gotten me in a shit place where I get to watch my best friend be consumed by her…
I’m done watching someone have the life I want with Ari.
I’m going to chase this feeling before it’s too late.
“Hello? Mr. Slaughter?”
I blink fast, irritated. I take a deep breath to let all of my intrusive thoughts go to rest. My fists unclench, and I can finally gather myself and stop the spinning that’s inside my head.
“Sorry…where do I start?”
After being questioned by cops, they cleared Grim, Ari’s mother, and me of any wrongdoing. It’s almost midnight but I feel like I just woke up.
I stand in Ari’s bedroom, looking at everything. It’s decorated light and airy, like her personality. I feel like I'm intruding on her personal space, but I can't go to the hospital without showing my true feelings in public. If she wakes up, I need to tell her everything in private. So, for now, being in her bedroom is the closest I can get to her. I’ll take it.
I can’t be there for her just yet.
Staying here makes me feel like I’m with her, even though I’m notreally with her.
I can’t talk. I can’t move. The only thing I can do is breathe and watch my phone for updates.
Grim texted me after I blew up his phone for Ari’s status.
Finally, after a few hours, he answered, letting me know she’s stable, but nothing else.
Relief cools the fire of hatred and anxiety I feel from the broken, worried possibility of never seeing her beautiful smile again.
I asked about their baby, but he hasn’t responded.
It kills me not knowing what’s happening to them.
I don’t care if her baby is Grim’s. If it doesn’t work out with him, I would gladly take over and love her child like my own.
Grim is always gone. I’m about to get out of the Navy in a couple of months.
He’s always been a selfish man, but I can see that he is slowly changing to be more for her…and I don’t like it. It’s selfish of me to not want him to be a better version of himself. He’s changing to be more for her because that’s what she deserves.
Still, I want it to be me.
I finally walk out of her bedroom fast.
