Page 45 of Choosing Skyler

“I can understand that. I wish we’d met before, too. I feel like I’ve missed so much time with her. I want it all, man. I’ve never felt like this. I thought it was too soon, but after what happened Thursday, Iknow. She’s it for me. I love her. I told her when she woke up and I’m sure she tried to say it back,” I tell him.

He just nods, like it’s no surprise to him. When I notice his shoulders slump with exhaustion, I nod to the sofa.

“Get some rest before she wakes up. I’ve got her,” I say, pushing him toward the sofa.

I sit back in the seat next to Skyler and hear him snoring a minute later.

Chapter 18

Skyler

I wake to a full room. Brady is next to me, holding my hand. Devon and Tracey are on the sofa, talking and Chelsea is on my other side.

“Hey, Beautiful. You woke up just in time. Julie is going to get you some soup and pudding. You hungry?” Brady says with a wink.

I smile and nod before turning to face Chelsea. I reach out for her, and she instantly grabs my hand.

“I’m so sorry, Hun. I didn’t mean to upset you, earlier,” she says.

I shake my head and do what I didn’t want to do before. I grab my phone and type out a text. Then, I turn my phone for her to see.

Skyler: “Chelsea. Please don’t apologize. I only panicked because I couldn’t speak. I wanted to tell you thank you! You have done so much for me. This is NOT your fault. This is Dirk’s fault. And you made it so that he will be punished for it. So, stop punishing yourself. I love you!!!”

She reads the words on my phone screen and breaks down in sobs. “Oh, Skyler. I love you too! I’m here for you. Anything you need, just tell me. You’re like my second daughter. I hope you know that,” she cries.

I smile at her and nod, typing another message on my phone.

Skyler: “I do know that. What I need is for you to stop crying and be proud of the mother you are. You may not be mine by blood, but I’ll claim you by bond. Just like I’ll claim Tracey as a sister. You’re the best family I’ve ever had! Sorry if I’m overstepping by stealing Tracey’s Granddaddy’s words, but I feel them in my heart.”

She reads the words on the screen and looks to Tracey. “Let’s see what she says about that,” she says, calling Tracey over to see what I typed.

Tracey studies my phone, her eyes filling with tears. “You really heard us?” she asks, looking at me.

I nod.

She throws herself at me, wrapping me in a somewhat gentle hug. “I love you like a sister too. Why do you think I always call you ‘Sissy Sky’? I know the silly nicknames are Devon’s thing, but I mean that with all my heart. I’d never tradeanythingfor our friendship.”

I hug her back, thinking of everything she’s sacrificed for our friendship over the past three years. Even the love she clearly has for Devon. All because I was too insecure to let him live his own life. I kept him trapped in a fake relationship with me, never seeing what he could have had with Tracey.Fine sister I am.I type another message for her.

Skyler: “Tracey, I’m so sorry for not telling you the truth. I was selfish and blind and I’m so sorry! Please tell me I didn’t ruin it for you and Devon!”

She reads the words and looks at Devon before shaking her head. “It’s complicated but we’ll find our way. This isn’t on you alone. We’ve all made choices that could have been better.”

I nod, understanding that she doesn’t want to spell it all out for everyone to hear. I hug her again and kiss her cheek.

She smiles at me and goes back to sit with Devon on the sofa. He winks at me, and I know that they will find their way. They have to.I’ll make sure of it.

A few minutes later there’s a knock on the door and Julie comes in with a cafeteria tray.

“Hey, Skyler. Are you ready to eat?” she says, smiling.

I nod excitedly as she comes in and sets the tray on my table. I eagerly pull the lid off the steaming broth and dip the spoon in. I blow on it to cool it and swallow it easily. I take a bite of pudding next.

“Very good. Tomorrow, we’ll move to stage two solids like rice or noodles. Just don’t try swallowing anything unsupervised until Dr. Henley releases you to a full diet, deal?” she asks.

I look at Brady, smiling.

“Great job, Beautiful.” he says before looking to Julie. “Do you think she could try grits and eggs for breakfast in the morning?” he asks her, and I fall even more in love with him.

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