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The detective’s brow raises. “I have questions. But you may have just answered a few of them if you feel there’s a need to have a lawyer present.”
“It’s fine. I don’t need a lawyer—”
“Bridget, not another word—”
“Please. It’s okay. I don’t have anything to hide.” Jonathon’s eyes bore into mine. It’s not me who has anything to hide. It’s his daughter.
His Adam’s apple bobs as he swallows. “I’ll be outside if you need anything.”
The door shuts behind him, leaving me and the detective alone.
“Miss Matthews, can you walk me through what happened tonight?”
“I shot Diane Taylor…”
Chapter 28
Chase
“Babe, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Caroline, I just caught you and him together. Fucking, for Christ’s sake!”
Her cat nails swipe through the air as she turns her back to me. “You saw what you wanted to see. Honestly, Chase, you’ve been so clingy lately, it’s getting to be unbearable—”
“Unbearable? Are you kidding me? I’ve done nothing but love you. I’d do anything for you. How is that unbearable?”
“You’re smothering.” She continues to walk away from me.
“Where are you going? We’re not done talking about this.” Her small sigh scratches at my skin. Her way of avoiding what I already know. “Answer me. How long have you been sleeping with your goddamn professor?”
She finally stops and turns, flipping her bleached blonde hair in the process. “You know what? Yes, I am. And he’s more of a man than you’ll ever be. He’s not needy and whiny. He doesn’t smother me. And quite frankly, he’s a better lover—”
It feels as if my chest is caving in as I struggle to suck air into my lungs. My hands grab at my throat. It burns. I want to yell out, but my mouth is too dry. I can’t breathe. I can’t breathe!
“Hey, hey, you’re all right. You have a breathing tube in. Try not to pull it out.”
I squint as I try to open my eyes, the bright light stabbing at my corneas. I close them again and try to catch my breath, but I can’t. I try to bring my hands to my mouth, but the wires restrict it.
“Chase, you have a breathing tube in and you’re going to pull out your IV. Just relax.”
A breathing tube? Why the fuck do I have a breathing tube? My eyes focus on the shadow above me. I can’t make out a face. Why can’t I see him? I blink rapidly until a face comes into view. A man. I try to speak, but nothing comes out.
“Don’t try to talk. You’re at Crest Health Hospital. You were shot.”
Shot.
Shot.
Shot.
Bridget.
My body convulses. I reach back for the tube to pull it out. I need to speak. Where’s Bridget? Is she okay? Fuck, is she alive?
“Chase, I’m going to give you more morphine. It’s going to help calm you. You’re not in a state to move. You’re going to end up hurting yourself.”
Wires constrict my movement. I tug at them, needing to get free. I need to get to Bridget. The doctor brings a needle to an IV bag. Inside, I scream to not give it to me. I need to be awake. I need to know…what…happ…
Beeping sounds lure me awake. I try to open my eyes, but they’re too heavy. Everything feels numb. Like my body is being held down by bricks. The only thing I can do is listen to the beeping.
“Has he shown any improvement?”
That voice. I know that voice. I fight to open my eyes, but they won’t obey.
“He’s lucky to be alive. The first bullet barely missed the subclavian artery. We were able to repair the damage, but it was touch and go. The good news is he’s healing nicely, but he’s still very weak. At this point, we just have to wait to see how his body reacts.”
I’m fucking fine. Open your goddamn eyes, asshole.
“When will he wake up?”
I’m up!
“When he’s ready. The body is magnificent. It knows when it needs to heal. I need to make some rounds, but I’ll check back. In the meantime, talk to him. He can hear you.”
A door shutting mingles with that beeping noise. I wish I could shut it off. I need to fight to wake up. Open my eyes.
“Fuck, man. You need to wake up.”
I’m awake, Kip.
“God, I messed up. I should have heard you out. Let you explain the situation. I let my own judgment get in the way.” No, you did what was right. I lied. I betrayed our friendship. “I asked you so many times what was up with you. Why didn’t you just tell me? I should have known. If I were a better friend, I would have seen it. I know what love looks like. I was too wrapped up in my own life to see you.” His voice sounds different. Sad. He’s crying. “Don’t give up on me. On everyone. Fight, man. Fight. I need you in my life. You’ve been my best friend since we were six. Fuck…” He pauses, and I feel wetness on my hand. Then warmth. He’s holding my hand. I’m not going anywhere. I’m here. I’m trying to come back. “Remember how I saved your ass that first day? Thought you were about to eat a fist for lunch instead of that nasty turkey burger. You never want to admit it cause you’re so damn stubborn, but your heart is bigger than any of ours. You’ve always watched out for us all. Shit, remember that one time you saved Ben from going home with that chick old enough to be your grandmother?” His laughter is filled with sorrow. “You told me you’d always have my back. You can’t fucking leave me. You can’t.”
