Page 13 of Rescuing Mary

“I didn’t know how to deal with that. No one in my life ever gave me anything without strings attached. Until you. You dropped your hours down at your job so you could be with me. You didn’t date for months when I was sick. You went grocery shopping for both of us and you did all my laundry, cleaned my apartment, and practically moved in. It was overwhelming for me, but no matter how much I protested or how mean I was to you, you didn’t leave.”

“Nothing could’ve made me leave you when you were sick, Mare,” Rayne said.

“I know. Then I got better, and you met Ghost. I was so happy for you, even though I was a dick to him after he got hurt. I couldn’t stand to see you unhappy, Raynie. I didn’t trust him, and I didn’t want you to go through the pain that I’d been through. I hoped he was the man he seemed to be, but I also thought there was a chance he’d dump you once the honeymoon period was over.”

“So why didn’t you tell me the cancer was back? Did you not think I’d help you again?” Rayne asked.

“No. I knew you would. I couldn’t go through it again,” Mary said softly. “I couldn’t do that to you again. It was hell on both of us, and it wasn’t fair of me to put you through that twice. Not when you were living the dream. You had a man who doted on you and would give you the world if you asked.”

“What wasn’t fair was that you didn’t even give me a choice,” Rayne said with heat.

“You don’t understand,” Mary protested.

“So explain it to me,” Rayne practically yelled. “I would’ve been there for you, Mare, just like I was the first time. I would’ve done anything for you, and you didn’t give me that choice.”

Mary clenched her hands into fists and squeezed her eyes closed as Rayne continued her harangue.

“You always go on and on about how people are selfish and users and only do things because they want something in return. But you knew I wasn’t like that. I’d proven it already. So why, Mary? Why did you push me away? At least have the balls to tell me to my face. Open your eyes and face me!”

Mary’s eyes popped open and she stared in Rayne’s direction. She couldn’t see her because of the tears obscuring her vision, could only see her blurry outline. All the pain she’d felt when she got the diagnosis that her cancer was back bubbled to the surface.

“I didn’t want you to have to watch me die!” she yelled.

The words echoed in the room before she continued.

“The last thing I wanted to do was have my best friend, a woman I love more than anything in this world, have to see me waste away and know there was nothing she could do about it. I wanted your memories of me to be good ones.” Mary closed her eyes once more and sniffed. “I didn’t want you to have to experience that, Raynie. I couldn’t take it. I knew you’d be there for me. You’d never let me push you away if you knew the cancer was back. You would’ve stayed by my side to the bitter end—and it would’ve killed me to see you so sad and upset.”

There was silence in the vault after Mary’s pronouncement. The soundproof room gave no hint as to what was happening out in the lobby. Mary had no idea if the robbers were still there, if there was a huge shootout, or if the robbery was still in progress. All she could hear was her own heartbeat and her occasional sniffle. But she didn’t dare open her eyes again.

She’d just laid herself bare to her best friend, and she was terrified Rayne would reject her for good. That this was the end of their friendship forever. She didn’t know what she’d do without Rayne in her life. The last couple months had been hell. Absolute hell.

Mary jerked when she felt a hand on her arm and her eyes opened. She turned and saw Rayne crouched at her side.

“Thank you,” Rayne said.

“What?”

“All this time, I thought I’d done something wrong. That you were mad at me for moving in with Ghost and loving him. I knew how you felt about men. But I had it all wrong. You were protecting me.”

Mary nodded.

At that, Rayne shifted until she was sitting next to Mary and put her arms around her friend. Mary tucked her head into Rayne’s shoulder and held on for dear life. The familiar smell of Rayne’s favorite soap penetrated her senses and it felt like coming home.

“I’m sorry,” Mary said into her shoulder. “I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay,” Rayne said. “I understand. I forgive you.”

Mary pulled back. “Just like that?”

“Just like that. I love you, Mare.”

She didn’t take her eyes from Rayne as she continued.

“But don’t do that shit again. If you get a fucking sniffle, I want to know about it. I love that you wanted to protect me, but don’t do it again. Hear me?”

“Yeah, Raynie. I hear ya. Please marry Ghost. You guys are perfect for each other, and I know without a doubt that he’d never leave you. Ever.”

“I know.”