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The next time I wake, Theo isn’t watching me.
But Millie is.
“You’re awake.” She bolts out of the chair and comes over to the bed, wasting no time climbing up beside me.
“Hi, what time is it?”
“A little after ten. Theo said it’s the trauma.”
“He said you slept downstairs on the couch,” I say.
“I didn’t want to leave in case you…”
“In case I ran again?” She nods and something inside me twists with guilt. “You know me leaving had nothing to do with you, right?”
“I know. But it still hurt. I thought we were friends. I thought…” The hurt in her gaze drives the knife in my heart a little deeper.
“Millie, look at me.” She lifts her head and I reach for her hand, twining our fingers together. “My life before I came here was… complicated.”
“You could have told Theo. Or me. Or somebody. You almost died, Raine. We almost lost you.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Just don’t do it again.” She squeezes my hand, tears clinging to her lashes. “He needs you, we both do.”
I don’t answer, I can’t. Because I’m not sure where we go from here, but I don’t want to tell her that.
I’m such a coward.
I always wanted to be a part of something so much but deep down, I never thought I’d get to have it.
Now I have the world at my feet, and I’m scared.
I’m so scared that my past, the girl underneath the bravado and attitude will never be good enough for a boy like Theo Ashworth.
“Do you need anything? A drink? Something to eat?”
“Some water.”
“Of course. Here.” She gets up and comes around the other side of the bed, helping me to sit up before offering me a glass.
“You have to take your painkillers four times a day. Theo wrote a reminder in his phone. He’s taking this whole Nurse Theo thing very seriously.” Her smile is infectious and for the first time since waking up a genuine smile curves at my lips.
“I bet the boys aren’t very happy I’m here.”
“What? Are you kidding? Everyone’s so relieved that you’re here and you’re okay. The girls have been bugging Theo to see you, but he doesn’t want you to feel crowded.”
“But I thought—”
“What? You thought that they’d all hate you now?”
“Honestly, I don’t know what I thought. But I’m not like them, Millie. You all have to know that. The things I’ve done…”
“Don’t matter. You’re one of us, Raine. My brother loves you.You.” She smiles. “And I’m not sure he’s ever loved anything except himself.”
“He loves you,” I point out.
