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As if conjured by my thoughts, my phone rings.
I swipe the screen once I see who it is.
“She’s ready to see you,” Harper says through the line.
It’s been a week since I saw her. Harper had asked that I give Bailey space, so I’ve stayed away. I’ve called every day for an update, and today she’s finally ready. The doctors say her concussion is gone, and she’s now strong enough to be moved to the facility in Arizona for rehab.
“Okay. Should I come to the hospital?”
“No, she’s being discharged within the hour. Why don’t you come to my house and sit with her while I run out and get some last-minute things for our trip?”
“Just text me when you’re there, and I’ll head that way. I have some errands to run, but everything is set at Serenity Vista. You’ll have to sign her in and finish the paperwork, but all the financials have been taken care of. She should have the best of everything there.”
“Thank you, Drew. Seriously. You don’t know how much this means to us.” I hear her sniffles on the other line. The emotion in her voice is a testament to how much she loves Bailey. It makes me happy to know she has the support system she’s going to need to get better.
“Anytime, Harper. Take care of her.”
“Always.” I hear the phone click. No goodbyes necessary.
I have grown to admire Harper in ways I never would have imagined. She’s a great sister and not a bad person. I think her dickhead fiancé brings out the worst in her. He never made it to the hospital. Fucking jackass couldn’t even support Harper during a family crisis.
I swing by the club to quickly do some paperwork. We’re in the final closing stages for the club, and it’s time I start telling the employees what’s going down. Not that it fucking matters. They all have their jobs firmly secured.
Three hours later, I get a text summoning me to Harper’s. I sit in the back of my Town Car with frayed nerves paralyzing me. I don’t know what to say to Bailey. How will she look? Frail? Ghostly? Or will she be my Bailey?
I rap on the door twice before it swings open, revealing a very eager-looking Harper. “What took you so long?” she questions.
“I got here as soon as I could. Go do your errands. Where is she?”
“She’s in the far room watching Netflix. She’s good, Drew. You don’t have to look so nervous.” She chuckles, and I scoff.
“I’m not nervous.”
She gives me the “oh, really” look.
“Okay. I’m petrified, but don’t say a word.”
She laughs lightly. “Just be honest with her. Tell her how you feel. She needs to hear how scared you were. She needs to know you’re angry because, Drew, you have every right to be. I’m angry. Her actions affected all of us, but you finding her like that. I can’t imagine what that’s done to you.” She shakes off the images that I’m sure are filtering through her mind.
“Go. You have stuff to do, and I can’t keep delaying the inevitable.”
She pats me on the shoulder and walks out, throwing, “Good luck,” over her shoulder.
I walk slowly down the hallway. When I come to the opening of the family room, I silently peer around the corner to see Bailey sitting peacefully, watching some god-awful vampire show. She looks good, all things considered. I take a moment to watch her. She doesn’t know I’m here, and it allows me a few seconds to just see her. This very second, she’s the girl I fell in love with, and she’s alive.
Thank God, she’s alive.
She throws her head back and laughs at something said on the show, but I have no clue what it was. My entire focus is on her and her alone. God, she’s gorgeous. Breathtakingly fucking beautiful. I want to wrap her in my arms and take her out of here. I want to forget all the shit and just go live, but I can’t. We can’t go back. Everything is different now.
I love her but I can’t have her.
I came here tonight not knowing what I was going to say, but it’s clear now. I’m here to let her go. They say if you love something, set it free, right? I guess that fucking saying is about to have a whole new meaning for me, and it’s already breaking me.
48
Bailey
A soft noise pulls me from the show I’m watching. I turn my gaze to the side of the room and see Drew standing by the doorframe. His lean, sculpted body is resting against the wood. One foot is propped behind him, and his arms are crossed against his chest. A smoldering gaze locks with mine. My lips tighten, offering him a timid smile.
“What are you doing here?” I ask. I’m not sure why I ask since I did tell Harper I wanted to see him and say goodbye. “I mean . . . I mean . . .” God, why am I so nervous? “What are you doing here so soon? I wasn’t expecting you for a few hours.”
