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This close to ripping down the goddamn door to get to my girl.
I lower my voice so only Max can hear me. “Say whatever the fuck you mean, then get out of my way.”
“You know about her condition?” Max asks, a muscle jerking in his jaw.
“She told me.”
“And you’re ready to take that on?” His blue eyes, as tenacious Ruby’s, pin me in place. “You ready to be there for my sister? To take care of her when she’s sick? To never have kids? To watch her die in your arms again if it comes to that?”
I want to punch the bastard. But then I remember Emmy Lou. I’d do the same damn thing. Hell, I have. If it means I have to take her brother’s shit to get to Ruby, I’ll do it.
I’m coming for you, baby.
I step up to the kid, toe to toe. My hard gaze never wavers. “I choose her. I love her. Whatever she takes on, I take on. I’ll be there when she’s sick. Catch her when she faints. And I’ll nevereverleave her.”
Sudden tears spring to Max’s eyes. “You mean it?”
“On my life.”
Max looks at his father, and an unspoken conversation passes between them. Then he jerks his chin in a nod and moves aside. “Go,” he says, his tone resigned.
With that, I step inside Ruby’s room.
There she is.
There’s my girl.
Heart tripping, I stand rooted to the spot, feverishly taking her in. Ruby looks breakable, delicate, so fucking small in the hospital bed. Her face and lips are bloodless, dark circles beneath her eyes. Tubes and wires feed into her. Machines beep a steady rhythm.
Finally, I force myself to move. In two large strides, I claim the seat beside her bed. Already I’m breathing easier in Ruby’s calming presence. I take her slack hand, nestling her small, soft palm in my rougher one.
She has a heart too big for this world, but goddamn if I’m not keeping her here.
I need her.
“Baby, I made it.” My lips sweep over her knuckles. “I’m here.”
Her heartbeat pulses against my palm.
Faint, but it’s there.
She came back to me once.
Now she has to hold on.
She has to fight.
“Wake up, Ruby,” I whisper, pressing her hand to my cheek. “You need to come back to me. Open those beautiful blue eyes and wake up.” I lean over and cup her colorless face. “Please, Sunflower. You’re not leavin’ me yet.”
Silence.
The heart monitor beeps.
I close my eyes, resting a hand over her chest, letting the beautiful beat of her heart reassure me that she’s still here.
And I settle in to wait.
As long as I have to.
