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“It’s normal when you’ve broken your leg and had internal injuries,” I remind him. “You’re lucky that was all that happened. It could have been worse.”
“How are you feeling?”
I sigh.
“I have a mild concussion, so I’m told to rest for a couple of weeks. Other than that, just some big bruises.”
“You’ll be up and around in no room.”
“I doubt it. Amy keeps me…” I falter as I think about my daughter. “Well…”
“She’s going to be found,” Ben assures me. “They’re not going to get very far.”
“I hope not.” I lick my lips. My mouth is very dry. “I still can’t believe that they would do something like this. I get they want a child, but to take mine?”
“They’re just mentally unstable. And after what they’ve done, they shouldn’t be having children at all.”
“I’m surprised that I turned out okay after being raised by that man.”
“Well, you had an awesome mom.” Ben is peering at me, looking slightly ashamed. “I’m glad you’re checking on me. You didn’t have to.”
“You’re my friend, Ben. And you did save me. I would be a terrible friend if I didn’t check on you.”
“Even after what I said?”
I sigh. I had been trying to forget about that.
“That’s not something I want to discuss while you’re in the hospital, Ben. We can talk about it later.”
“How about we talk about it now?”
Ben presses a button on his bed remote, and the back of the bed rises up until he’s upright. Then he turns to me.
“Look, I’m so sorry about what I did. What I said. I mean, I do love you, and I wish that it was me you loved in return, but I know that’s not something I can realistically expect.” He sighs and shakes his head. “After being with you since the beginning and helping raise Amy, I’m very protective over the two of you. Seeing someone else come in and slot into the role I’ve wanted for so long…that really hurt. I saw it as my territory being invaded.”
“That wasn’t the case, Ben.”
“I know. I had a balance that I was content with, and then Luke came along, and I felt threatened.” Ben winces. “I said and did some really stupid things because I didn’t want to lose the two of you. But while I was lying here, coming round from the surgery, I realized that I was being an idiot, and I can’t force anything that I want to be a reality. It just makes me sound as crazy at your father and that woman he married.”
I listen to this, and I feel the urge to cry. All of the emotions from the last few hours and not knowing where my daughter is have just collapsed, and I’m feeling raw. I blink back my tears.
“Nothing would have changed with us, Ben. True, I would be with someone else, but nothing needed to change.”
“You might have said Carly and I weren’t needed anymore. That you and Luke were going to be a family together.”
“We might have wanted our own place, but we wouldn’t have kicked you out. You two are Amy’s godparents, and you have been my rock for so long.” I reach over and take his hand. “I would never keep Amy away from you, either. Although you’re going to have to work on that possessive nature of yours.”
Ben grimaces.
“I know. I’m still really sorry about that.”
“Just don’t do it again. I don’t want to hear you ranting about something like that. It scares me.”
“I’ll still move out and find my own place.”
“There’s no…”
“There is a need. I should have done it years ago.” Ben’s mouth twitches. “And I doubt you want me around cramping your style. While I can step back and accept that you have your own life, living in close proximity to you and Luke isn’t going to do me any favors. You were right when you said we needed space between us. It’s best that I do what we need to do so our friendship can be maintained.”
