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“I’m right here.” I pressed a lingering kiss to her forehead. “Come on. One step at a time.”
There had to be fifty steps. She wasn’t going to make it.
“Shit,” I grumbled just as the door swung open, and Mr. Torrence appeared, his eyes landing on Becca. “Becca.” His voice cracked with pain. “Mac, get in here.”
The man from earlier stepped into the room, concern shining in his eyes.
“Thank you, son.” Mr. Torrence squeezed my shoulder, coming around to Becca’s other side. “Sweetheart, we’re going to help you up the stairs, okay?”
“She’s pretty out of it,” I said.
“She’s fine,” he insisted. “She’s going to be just fine.”
I didn’t know who he was trying to convince more—me or himself.
* * *
“This isn’t a good time, Evan.” Becca’s mom glared at me, her eyes red and puffy. I was about to not so politely ask that she let me in to see my girl when a voice said, “Let him in, Melinda.”
“But, Geary, she’s—”
He came into view, his eyes filled with gratitude. “Evan saved our daughter’s life. He will always be welcome in our house.”
Mrs. Torrence burst into tears, letting her husband console her while I entered the house. “How is she?” I asked.
“Dehydrated. Sore. But she’s going to be fine, thanks to you.”
My body sagged with relief, and I released a shaky breath, raking a hand over my face. I hadn’t realized how much I’d needed to hear the words until he’d said them. Becca was safe.
She would be okay.
After getting her out of the plant, Mr. Torrence and Mac had taken Becca home. I’d wanted to go with them, but he was her family, and my car was there. It was the middle of the night, and I didn’t want to worry Mom any more than I already had when I’d texted her earlier to say I wouldn’t be back until the morning.
I’d sat there in the Impala, listening to the sound of my heart beating out of my chest. Replaying the moment I’d found her over and over. The fear I’d felt at the sight of her lifeless body.
“Good, that’s good.” I scrubbed a hand over my face. “Can I—”
“Go on up, son.” He stuck out his hand, a weird expression on his face. “And thank you, Evan. I will never forget what you did for her.”
I shook his hand, unable to reply over the lump lodged in my throat.
I’d never been in Becca’s room before. In my head, I’d imagined that one day she would invite me over. Her parents would be out, and we’d have the place to ourselves. And, after spending the night watching a movie cuddled up on her couch, she’d take me to her room and let me love her. I never imagined standing outside her door, scared of what I might find inside.
I knocked and waited.
“Come in.” Her voice was so small it shattered something in me.
“Hey,” I said, taking a step into the room.
“Evan.” My name on her lips was like a prayer and a death sentence all rolled into one. This girl owned me, completely, and I’d almost lost her.
I stepped closer, my heart beating furiously in my chest. “How are you feeling?”
She patted the space beside her, and I moved closer, sitting on the edge of the bed. “Like crap.”
I reached for her. I couldn’t help it. My fingers danced along the bruise covering half of her face. “He did this?”
Becca dropped her head, breaking our connection. It hurt. It hurt so fucking much I wanted to scream, but this was about her. Not me. The time for answers would come, but right now was about Becca. Only her.
