That was a silly question. She loved him and suspected she always would. He possessed so many wonderful qualities—honor, loyalty, and he made her feel special in a way no one else had. But she’d hurt him again. How could he ever forgive her? How could she ask him to?
Her dad stood, leaned over her, and whispered in her ear. “He’s been by your side until I forced him to get something to eat a while ago. Before you give up your bone, make damn sure what you think you’ll get is worth it.” Then he kissed her on the cheek and strolled out of the room.
After the door closed behind him, Carly sneaked a glance at Owen. A scowl marring his handsome features and a five-o’clock shadow adding to his stark appearance, he stalked across the hospital room. Stopping to stand at the foot of her bed, he crossed his arms over his broad chest. He towered over her, leveling her with a stare capable of making a person confess sins he’d only considered committing.
“With my memory problems, I can’t be sure, but what I remember is you saying all you’d do was call the tow truck.”
Not about to be intimidated, or at least not much, she locked gazes with him and titled her chin upward. “When you asked if that was all I’d do, my exact words were, ‘I know when I’m not wanted.’ I never agreed to stay away.”
His scowl and the furrow between his brows deepened. “What the hell were you thinking running in front of Dylan? You could’ve been killed.”
“I was thinking about you and Ryder, but mostly you.” She clutched the sheet in her sweaty hands. “Why didn’t you let the police deal with him? If Dylan had hit your head, or you’d fallen and hit your head—” Her voice broke, and she bit her lip to regain her control, burying the images of what could’ve happened. “You’ve worked so hard and come so far, but you could’ve undone everything by going all commando hero protecting my brother.”
“I’m trained to deal with terrorists. I can handle one teenager.” He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. When his gaze returned to her, weariness had replaced his anger. “Don’t you have faith in me?”
“That’s not what it was about. I couldn’t handle anything happening to you. Not when I love you.”
Owen shook his head and chuckled. “Breaking up with me is a damn strange way to showing it.”
“Love isn’t always enough to make a relationship work.”
How could she make a choice between staying in Service with Owen—not that he’d take her back—but how could she decide when one choice, leaving, was a huge unknown?
Her phone on the bedside table rang, cutting her off. Thankful for the reprieve, she mumbled an,excuse meand answered her phone.
“Ms. Maddux, this is Sharlene Brown from the Denver Rehabilitation Center,” the voice on the other end said. “I’m calling to schedule an in-person interview for next week.”
Carly leaned against the pillows piled behind her. She’d gotten an interview with the best rehab clinic in Denver. This had to be a sign. Fate’s way of telling her she needed to explore her other options.
“Your clinic has an excellent reputation, and I want to be considered for the job, but I doubt I can come to Denver next week. Unfortunately, I was in an accident last night,” Carly said, and explained what happened.
“How awful. I’m so sorry, and I won’t keep you long, but with your excellent qualifications and references, we’re willing to hold the job open until we interview you. Call me when you’re released, and we’ll schedule a time.”
“Thank you so much.”
Carly returned her phone to the table and waited for excitement to burst through her. But instead of that giddy feeling, an emptiness spread throughout her body. She couldn’t help but think she’d be leaving behind the people who mattered in her life, especially Owen who made her feel as if the pieces of her had been put together. That she wasn’t fragmented and alone. Choices shouldn’t be this hard.
“Sounded like that was about a job,” Owen said.
She nodded. “I had a phone interview with the clinic earlier last week. If I’m lucky I’ll have a job before I move.”
Owen moved the chair her father had vacated closer to the bed and sat. He placed his hands on his knees and leaned forward. “You said you loved me. What if I asked you not to go?”
There it was. The question she’d dreaded and yet, prayed for.
“We’ve been over this. When we started seeing each other—” When she stumbled over the words, she paused. Seeing each other? What a stupid phrase and so inadequate for what they’d embarked on. “I told you I didn’t want anything serious. I don’t know what more I can say.”
“You may not have anything else to say, but I do, and I’m not leaving until I say my piece.” He sighed and rubbed a hand over his eyes. “You owe me that much.”
His soft voice, a plea for her to hear him out, hammered into her soul. Unable to speak or deny his request, she nodded, and prayed she could hold herself together.
“Addie came to see me a while ago. We talked about Landon, the Army and why I wanted to return to active service. She asked me if I had one day left on earth, how would I spend it. I knew I’d want to be with you. I love you, Carly. I’m not sure I ever stopped.”
“Please don’t. This doesn’t do any good. All that will happen is we’ll say things we regret. I don’t want us to end that way.” She picked at the weave of the hospital blanket as desperation welled inside her.
“I have to say this. I want to make a life with you, but not like the one my parents had. My dad was part of the family, but not. So much of my childhood was just me and Mom because Dad was off somewhere with the military. That isn’t the life I want, but I still need a career that matters. One that makes a difference.”
“That’s when you decided to apply for the director position.”
