I swallowed and glanced away. This was so shocking. So terrible. My brain couldn’t even comprehend the magnitude of it. I just wanted Tessa to be okay. I mean…a brain tumor? What were the odds?
“The chance of the surgery working and her surviving without significant decrease in quality of life is…” Bennett swallowed hard and glanced away.
I rubbed at my brow. “Please tell me you didn’t tell Tristan that.”
“I didn’t have to.” His eyes were filled with so much pain. “But, no, I would never say that.”
“What can we do to help? The post mentioned a website for sending meals and signing up to help with the kids.”
“I already did.”
“And so will I,” I said, knowing I’d do anything I could to help them. Everyone in town would because that’s what you did when one of your own was suffering. You rallied around them, showing how much you cared. “Do you want something to eat? Have you had anything?”
“I’m not hungry.” He stared straight ahead then stood, going to the kitchen for a refill.
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” I asked.
“No. But I don’t really care at the moment.”
I sighed, standing to join him. “You might as well pour me one too.”
He downed his whiskey in one gulp before slamming the glass down, then poured himself another. He braced himself on the counter, shoulders shaking as he let his emotions pour out.
“She’s too young, Wren. She’s barely thirty-two. And what about the kids? And Tristan? And…”
“Shh.” I pulled him into a hug, rubbing his back. It was easier to focus on Bennett than my own fears. “Shh. It’s okay. I’ve got you.”
We held each other, our tears bleeding together as we tried to make sense of it all. But there was no making sense of it. It wasn’t fair. And I wasn’t sure I’d ever seen Bennett this upset. This broken.
As painful as it was to witness, I was grateful he allowed me to be there for him. That he trusted me with his vulnerability. He was always helping everyone else, and it meant a lot that he knew he could give this to me. That he could rely on me.
“Wren.” He cupped my face with his hands, wiping away my own tears. “I’m scared.” He tilted his forehead to mine. “I’m fucking terrified. I can’t bear the thought of losing you.”
I closed my eyes briefly. “You’re not going to lose me.”
Fear flitted through his eyes before they hardened. “Swear it.” His tone was stern, his breath coming in pants. “Swear you’ll never leave me, no matter what happens.”
Where was this coming from? It seemed like something more was bothering him than Tessa’s diagnosis, but what did I know? We were both emotional.
In that moment, I would’ve promised him anything to take away his pain. “I love you, and I’m not going anywhere.” And I meant it.
He smashed his lips to mine. I could taste the alcohol on his tongue. The whiskey and the tears. Desire and fear and every other emotion swirling within him. I could feel them all as if they were my own.
We backed down the hall to my room, our lips touching the entire time. I needed him,this, now more than ever. Our connection gave me strength. He made me feel grounded, even when it felt as if the world around us was crumbling.
“Wren,” he said, nuzzling my nose with his. “I need you. I need to feel alive.”
I nodded, tugging at his shirt, and we undressed each other. I needed to feel him. We needed to lose ourselves in each other.
He kissed me, passionately, deeply. It was more intense than any other kiss we’d shared up to this point. And when he rolled us so I was on top of him, pulling me closer, I got carried away with the riptide. Powerless to stop myself when it came to Bennett. Overcome with emotions and love for this man.
After he fell asleep, I tiptoed down the hall and called my mom. She’d already heard about Tessa and was happy to watch River overnight. As much as I wanted to gather my son to me and hold him close, Bennett needed me more. My parents would keep River busy and let him have fun. That was what he needed. And I was grateful my mom hadn’t asked any questions.
I paused in the hallway just outside my bedroom. I still couldn’t believe it—Tessa. Not that long ago, I’d been taking their family photos. And they’d been planning for their future. Now, she was lying on an operating table, hoping she’d have a future.
“Where’s River?” Bennett pulled me to him as soon as I’d crawled back into bed.
“I called my mom and asked if he could stay the night.”
