Page 24 of Blake Marshall Says He Needs Me

Tears welled up in my eyes as I wrestled with conflicting emotions. “I want to be with her, but I don't know how to move forward. The guilt, the anger—it's tearing me apart.”

Wilder nodded empathetically. “You need to talk to Shannon and share your feelings. Let her know what you're going through. It won't be easy, but you both need to understand each other's pain. You can't carry this burden alone anymore.”

“I tried that, and I totally fucked it up, Wilder. All I was able to get out was it was her fault, and she has the life Sheldon should have had.”

“Damn,” Wilder cringed. “You really didn’t mince words, huh?”

“I messed up, and I need to fix it,” I sighed.

“Then talk to her again. Don’t let your grief and anger cloud what you want to say. Tell her everything you just told me, and see what she has to say.”

I took a deep breath, contemplating Wilder's words. “You're right. I need to talk to her, but it feels like I'm betraying Sheldon by moving on. It’s weird, but the anger and grief make me feel close to him. If I let that go, I’ll lose him.”

Wilder placed a hand on my shoulder. “Blake, Sheldon wouldn't want you to be stuck in this pain. He'd want you to find happiness. And who knows, maybe facing this together with Shannon will bring you and Shannon back together.”

Chapter Fifteen

Shannon

“So, is this going to be the only way I see you now?”

It had been nearly two weeks since I left Missy’s little welcome home party for Clara without a goodbye.

She had called on the way home, and I gave her some lame excuse about needing to be to work early, and that I was trying to beat the rain.

This was her second well-baby check, and Clara was doing great. Missy was doing good, too.

“Uh, well, I am Clara’s doctor,” I laughed.

“Are we still not friends?” she asked.

“Missy,” I whispered. “I just need some time,” I stammered, unable to find the right words to explain the mess of emotions I was dealing with.

Missy narrowed her eyes. “Time? Shannon, we’re friends. Friends don’t need time away from each other. When you saw me struggling to leave the hospital, you were there for me. Now it’s my turn to be there for you.”

“I know, Missy. I just... I don’t want to burden you with my problems.”

Her frustration was evident. “You’re not a burden, Shannon. We’re here for each other, especially when times are tough. Blake is upset, and so are you. You guys can’t avoid everyone and expect things to improve.”

“Blake is avoiding you guys?” That was surprising.

Missy blew out a breath. “Well, not Wilder, but that’s because he literally lives in his bard, but he’s barely talked to Charlie.”

“He lives in Wilder’s barn?” I asked. I knew nothing about Blake’s life now, but that little detail was surprising. “With animals?”

“No,” Missy giggled. “God, no. Though I’m sure he would be fine with Ba bunking with him when the weather turns cold, he doesn’t live in the common sense of the word barn. It looks like a barn on the outside, but it’s totally converted into a house. Wilder converted to it to lure Blake to move to Adams.” Missy winked. “It worked.”

“Uh, well, good.”

“Back to you and Blake.”

I shook my head. “There isn’t a me and Blake, Missy.”

“Yet,” she winked. Clara wiggled in her arms and let out a little cry. “I still can’t believe she pretty much slept this whole time.”

“She’s a good baby,” I smiled.

“Because she has the best doctor in the world.”

---