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I shake my head, awe filling my gaze, as I take in the two men standing at the foot of my hospital bed.
William and Max.
Chatting amicably, a bond of friendship forming.
My mind drifts to that fateful August day when William had me pinned against the side of a building. Terror coursed through my veins, but an unlikely hero stepped in and saved the day, forever altering my fate.
The night William jabbed that needle into my neck circulates inside my head, horrible thoughts of what he might do to me spinning inside my head. Although it started off very rocky, a gradual shift took place, moving William and me from foe to friend.
William’s gaze locks with mine, and I beckon him closer. “Thank you, for everything. For saving both of us, for taking care of Darin and Vanessa, and for…” I swallow hard, this next part difficult. I’m hoping I can find the right words. “For not only choosing our side over your family, but for believing in yourself.” I pause, watching his face as my words sink in. “You were a hero in every sense of the word tonight, Will. I knew you had it in you.”
Moisture coats his eyes and I watch him blink rapidly, struggling for composure. He squeezes my hand, and he looks as though he wants to hug me, but respectfully doesn’t. Until I say, “Give me a hug, asshole.”
Max chuckles as William leans over, hugging me to him.
“I’m so sorry for all the hell I put you through. Even tonight… if it wasn’t for me, you and Max wouldn’t have been involved. And you wouldn’t be hurt.” Remorse is in his voice and on his face as he slowly pulls back, light blue eyes full of sorrow. His shoulders droop as he pats my arm.
“Will. Forgive yourself… because I forgive you.” I watch as his face transforms, happiness brightening his features. “You messed up. But you took ownership of your behavior.” My voice lowers. “You’ve changed a lot since you’ve opened yourself up and shown your vulnerabilities. It’s been amazing to watch, and I’m glad I’ve been part of it.” I squeeze his hand, sincerity seeping from my gaze. “I hope you find Everleigh because you deserve happiness and love. So don’t give up.”
He nods solemnly, his face full of awe and gratitude. “Thank you, Irelynn. You have no idea how much your words mean to me.” Taking a deep breath, his eyes are full of promise as he says, “I won’t give up on her.”
Max clears his throat, drawing our attention to him. “This is why I trust her judgment explicitly.” His expression is soft as he gazes at me with adoration. “She has the uncanny ability to pull out the genuine from deep inside. When others fail, she persists.” He leans over, kissing my lips softly, before pulling back. “You’re gonna make one helluva counselor, my love.”
William nods. “Well said, Max. You have quite the way with words, and I couldn’t agree more.” He gazes at me. “You will be an excellent counselor. Look how much you’ve helped me in such a short time.”
Blinking, tears fall from my eyes. “Dammit, guys.” Laughing, I wipe my eyes with my hands as Max grabs a box of tissues, handing them to me. “Stop making me cry.” Giving them both teasing grins, I clean up my face.
Taking a deep breath, I exhale, studying William’s face. He cocks an eyebrow at me, waiting. “I hate to ask, but…” I pause, my hands fidgeting with the blanket that is covering me. “I’m assuming Damian and your dad are… dead?”
William nods, a momentary flash of pain in his eyes that disappears quickly. “Yes, they are. You’re safe.”
But I shake my head, my voice trembling as I ask what is really bothering me. “Are you going to be…” I swallow hard. “In trouble?”
William lifts one shoulder, sadness on his face. “I shot Damian. Yes, he shot at me, but who knows if that will be enough?”
“You shot Damian in self-defense, Will. I’m happy to talk to the authorities and tell them that, as I’m sure Irelynn will be willing to do.”
I squeeze Max’s hand, nodding my head as I turn to William. He gazes at Max, then at me, his eyes wide and his mouth slack. He sucks in a quick breath. With a slow, disbelieving shake of his head, he says, “You two would do that for me?”
“Of course,” Max and I say in unison, laughing as we lock our eyes together.
William chuckles, shaking his head. “You two are so in sync with one another.”
Max leans over my bed, giving me a quick kiss. “Yes, we are.” His soft breaths cover my face as I run my fingers through his hair.
God, I love this man.
My parents rush in while the doctor checks over Max. It’s a flurry of hugs and kisses as they hover and worry over me and Max.
But the best part is when they hug and thank William for saving us. There are tears in his eyes as he meets my gaze.
Some people are unredeemable, but not William. He started out as the villain in my story, yet became a hero.
He’s broken, but not beyond repair.
Just like the man sitting at my bedside, looking at me as though I’m his entire world. His heart was fractured into a million pieces when I met him. But my love has helped heal him, mending the pieces back together, making him whole again.
I have that same hope for William. I firmly believe that if he can somehow find Everleigh, her love can mend all the fractured pieces of William’s heart, fusing them together again.
