The door next to mine opens and closes.
My body goes rigid, eyes locked on the door.
Now it’s my turn.
It opens.
For a second, I’m sure I’m hallucinating.
“Tiffy?” My voice barely works. “You’re… here?”
“Yosh!” She’s at my side within seconds, eyes scanning me head to toe.
”Are you okay? Are you in pain? No. You don’t look okay. We need to get you to a hospital!”
I gather what little strength I have, pressing my hand over hers.
“No hospital, cupcake. I’m okay. Really.”
She doesn’t look convinced. Her hands tremble as she strokes my hair back.
A voice sounds from the doorway. “Don’t bother, Tiffy. That idiot would rather drive his car into a ditch than let anyone take him to a hospital.”
Sapphire.
He’s here.
I can’t meet his eyes, so I turn my face away. I hate how small I must look right now.
The last thing I wanted was for him to see me like this.
Tiffy talks, but it’s like I’ve hit the mute button. I focus on the sound of my own breathing, on the glass of water on the nightstand, on anything but the fact that Tom is standing there, seeing me at my lowest.
The floorboards creak as he walks in. Slow steps until he kneels.
I use my elbow to push myself up from the mattress. We’re on eye level now.
I hold my breath, wondering if he’ll say something. Wondering if I should.
He doesn’t give me the chance to overthink. One moment he’s in front of me, the next I’m in his arms. A hand slides up my spine, fingers tangling protectively through my hair.
I let my face rest against his skin that smells like the ocean, the sun, and himself.
Breathing gets easier here. So I stay tucked into the space between his neck and collarbone, where it’s safe and nothing hurts for a while.
“Everything will be okay. I’ve got you.” He kisses my temple as he whispers the words close to my ear.
“I…” My voice crashes. “I don’t know how to do this.”
I’m not even sure what I mean by that. Talking. Letting go. Stop pretending I’m fine. Maybe all of it.
“You don’t have to know. Just stay with me, okay? Whatever it is, we’ll get you through it.”
I nod, overwhelmed by all of it.
He knows. Tiffy must’ve told him. And if he knows, she knows. About me and Tom.
It’s not how I wanted it to happen. Still, it feels like a relief.
