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“Archie, you forget I’ve watched you grow up. I’ve watched you grow up together. The way you played, then chased boys away.” She smirked. “I know she hasn’t been happy the last few months. I can see that.”
He wished he could change the past.
Again.
If he’d only not let her out of his sight.
If he hadn’t pushed her away.
If he would’ve been faster.
If he would have killed him in the hallway when he first had a chance.
If only.
“I’m sorry I let this happen.” He hung his head.
Her hand rested on his shoulder. “The world isn’t fair. Even in times like this, as angry as I am, I know things happen for a reason.”
He looked up at her.
“She’s going to pull through this.” She pulled back and paused at the door. “Have a little faith, Arch. Just keep loving her and being there for her. See you in the morning.” She turned and left the room.
He told her when he first became her bodyguard that he would always keep her safe. He failed her. If she pulled through, he’d never leave her again. She was the love of his life, and he hadn’t been treating her that way.
The world was already dimmer without her smile. The news had picked up the story and everyone knew she was in critical condition. At first, he was stalking her social media accounts to be happy. It was easy when he could stare at his phone and see her smiling or laughing back at him.
Then the comments would come across. Everyone sent prayers and well wishes. As if thoughts would be the answer. As if prayers could solve this problem.
It was all his fucking fault.
He reached over to hold her hand, lacing their fingers together and placing a kiss on her wrist.
“I’m sorry I pushed you away. I thought you’d push me away once you realized I wasn’t enough and I couldn’t survive that. I was wrong; I can’t survive this.” He closed his eyes. “I thought that was scary, but nothing is as terrifying as seeing you like this and not knowing if you’ll wake up.”
He leaned over, careful of her IV, and moved his lips close to her ear to whisper. He didn’t know what he would do if she didn’t wake up. It wouldn’t be a world he would want to live in.
“Please come back to me. I can’t live in this life without you. I don’t know how.”
He laid his head down on the edge of the mattress to hide his watering eyes. His best friend became the love of his life, and he might not get a chance to ever tell her. He wished he could trade her places.
CHAPTER41
TABITHA
Nine Years Earlier - Age 23
She pulledthe mail from the Stryker’s mailbox and walked back inside their home. She flipped through it quickly at the dining table, checking to see if there was anything urgent. There wasn’t much she could do, but she wanted to help them and needed the distraction. She also liked being here every time the phone rang. There was always the chance it could be good news.
Ryan was pissed that a week had passed, and she still wasn’t home. He told her he wanted to spend quality time with her. She tried explaining things. This was a family emergency. He didn’t care. He raised his voice and got angry. So she hung up on him and hadn’t returned his calls in two days. He would need to get over it.
“You don’t have to stay.” Gracie stepped up to the counter to pour a cup of coffee. “I don’t even know what to do with myself. I keep thinking-”
She turned to face Archie’s mom. “We have to have a little faith. Archie isn’t done doing good in this world.”
“I love you sweetie. Thank you for being here.” She moved to sit at the table across from her.
“I don’t mind.” She flipped through and her hands froze at the picture in the newspaper. “What?”
