Page 39 of Beneath Cherry Blossom Memories

“Of course.”

Blowing out an exasperated breath, I rub my face and head out. It makes sense why they’d want hispartnerwith him versusme—a friend—a nobody. I can’t make any medical decisions for him. Not that I think Leon can either, since they aren’t married. God, I think I might puke. Biting the inside of my cheek and stalking back to the lobby, it takes everything in me not to tackle Leon to the floor and scream in his face that he’s just a piece of ass and will never beme.

Instead, I force a tight-lipped smile and say, “Sorry I didn’t write back. It’s been crazy.”

Leon looks destroyed, worried sick. And if he feels even a fraction of what I feel for Eli, I know how desperate he is to see him. I fucking hate Leon. I hate that he’s been a placeholder all these months. “They wouldn’t let me back. I don’t understand American hospitals.”

“I was there first,” I growl, then catch Jorge standing, hurrying over to me. I clear my throat. “I was back there first. They only let one person back.”

“Thanks for sitting with him. You can leave, though. It’s late.”

My jaw clenches, fists ball at my sides, and just as I’m about to tell this dick to bite the curb, Jorge stuffs my vape in my hand. “Let’s go outside for some air.”

He’s saving my ass right now. He’s sparing our band from the fallout I will cause if I stand in Leon’s presence for another second. “Alright. Yeah.”

Every step towards the exit feels like I’m quitting.

It feels just like it did last year. Like I’m walking away—like I’m isolated all over again.

Eli

Heartbreak Beat

Whatever meds they gave me that knocked me out are fantastic.

I’m blinking in and out of sleep, not quite aware of anything yet. Thank fuck. My throat feels weird, but I don’t hurt anywhere. This is why I told everyone I just needed some medicine. I flex my fingers in hopes Phoenix will hold them. He makes everything better. Too bad I can’t keep him in my system like the stuff pumping into my veins right now.

Time passes, but my eyes are heavy. I reach out, knowing he’s got to be nearby. As soon as I feel the warm hand slide into mine, I sigh in relief. He didn’t leave me. He’shere.Because it’s comforting and a part of him I love, I feel for the sharp ridges of his knuckles. Phoenix’s hands are big, fingers thin and long. But his knuckles are like mountains with high-rising peaks. The tips of my fingers poke and prod at his hand, something like fear coiling in my belly because his hand feels wrong.

My heart speeds up while I force my eyes open.

Everything is blurry for about five seconds. I blink to focus, seeing the lights dimmed over my bed. “Hi,” I hear.

It feels like I’m falling. Like the floor disappeared. Pivoting my head to the sound of the voice, I fight to hold back the burn in my eyes when brown ones are all I see—two of them and a face I don’t want to be there. “Leon,” I rasp, throat dry.

He leans forward and kisses the back of my hand. I search the other side of my bed and crane my neck to peer through the crack in the divider curtain. “Do you need anything? Water?”

Where is Phoenix? I reach into my pocket but find I’m not wearing pants. Shit. Where is it? Where is he? “Eli?”

I collapse back against the pillow, staring at the ceiling.

Of course, he left. I should’ve known he’d dip out the second he could. He made sure I didn’t die, then went back to his band—his friends. The people that love and cherish him. The people who’d never abandon him in a time of need. I’m happy he has them. I really am. But I don’t have that. I never did. He’s the only one who’s ever made me feel like something instead of nothing.

“Why didn’t you call me?” Hot moisture wells in my eyes, and my nose tingles. “I would’ve been here sooner. You should’ve said something. Should’ve told me the first time.” Leon’s tone gets less kind and more aggressive the longer I don’t answer him. “But you calledhim.I know that this is meant to be fun. I know you said I shouldn’t count on anything long-term, but I did.” I glance at him, the voices coming back with a vengeance. “This isn’t fun, Elijah.”

I pull my hand out of his. “No shit,” I croak, searching the bed for the stupid remote with the nurse button.

“It was all bullshit, wasn’t it?”

It’s under my hip. Ugh.

“You never even liked me, did you? I thought it was strange how hard you pursued me, but I took a chance.” He shakes his head and then drops his voice. “And all the drugs? I’ve risked my ass to make sure you’re set right. That you can function.”

Button pressed. I’m not dealing with this right now. I need to get the hell out of here.

“Did you tell the doctor? Did you tell them what you took earlier? How you never sleep. How when we have sex, you don’t even know you’ve orgasmed until your dick falls out of me?”

“You don’t have to be here,” I snap. “I didn’t call you because I knew this would be how you’d act.” Fuck, my throat is raw.

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