“Colton, Colton, baby, you have to stay awake, okay?” I plead, my voice cracking as his lips curve into a smile.
“Sunshine,” he whispers, the word barely audible.
“I’m here, Colton. I’m here. Please,pleasedon’t leave me. I need you okay. I need you to stay here.”
My begging falls on deaf ears as Colton’s smile loosens, his body going slack against me.
No, no, no, this can’t happen.
I didn’t tell him that I forgive him. I didn’t tell him that these last few weeks without him have been agony. I didn’t ask him why he calls me sunshine.
I didn’t tell him I love him.
42
COLTON
Beep. Beep. Beep.
My head fucking hurts.
Beep. Beep. Beep.
You know what doesn’t help when your head fucking hurts?
Beep. Beep. Beep.
I feel heavy, my arm like lead when I try to lift it to hit whatever is causing the incessant beeping.
I try again and again, but nothing happens. I can’t see anything about where I am. The room is pitch-black as my head moves from side to side.
“I don’t care if I’m not family, James, let me the fuck in.”
“Harper, it’s not up to me. It’s a rule for the hospital. How did you even get back here? Actually, never mind. Don’t answer that.”
Harper.
“You’re in here andyouaren’t family. You get out, and I’ll come in.”
Let her in, please let her in.
“Harper, let’s go into the hall. I don’t want to disturbhim.”
Disturb me? I’m awake. I’m awake…
“I already gaveJames a rundown of what happened. What else could you all possibly need from me?”
“Believe it or not, Ms. Mathers, I am just here to check on Colton.”
“Oh, come on in.”
“I wasn’t expecting to get to see him. I thought only family was allowed in?”
Anders? What does he sound so chipper about? Nothing to be chipper about. Everything hurts.
“Do you have an update for me, Agent Anders?”
“She’s being rather difficult about giving up the details of her network. But your sister has actually been a tremendous help in going through her communications and tracking down key players.” I can hear the smile in his voice, coated in admiration.
