Page 63 of Never Left You

“Thank you, Cash,” she whispered before her breathing slowed, and she drifted off to sleep.

And as I rested my head against her, my body leaned up against the wall, Luna with us, I finally fell asleep too.

Nineteen

Abi

FiveYearsAgo

The hospital was too bright. There was way too much white. Even the chairs were white. The stupid painting on the wall of the sunset on the beach had way too much white in it. Where were the blues? The oranges and pinks that came with a sunset? All I saw was a white blur.

My teeth clenched as I sat in the waiting room, Wyatt next to me, his fingers laced with mine as we waited…and waited…and waited. Cash was sitting across from us, his elbows resting on hisknees and his face buried in his palms. Rhett had taken Stetson, thank God. He didn’t need to be here for this.

I squeezed Wyatt’s hand and leaned my head on his shoulder.

You’re okay…Mi Alma…

The last words Sylas said to me before the paramedics came still rang in my ears. The sight of him was still ingrained in the back of my mind. The look in his eyes as that glint left him, the blood on his shirt, the soft lulls his breath took, the light slowly leaving him. I would never ever be able to get this out of my head.

You’re okay…Mi Alma.

“Mrs. Acosta?” I heard my name, and I instantly sat up. The doctor who had been with Sylas gave me a sorrowful expression. Quickly turning to Wyatt, squeezing his hand tighter, I shook my head knowing there was absolutely no way I could talk to the doctor, sinking down into my chair some more.

Wyatt let go of my hand, looked over to Cash, and they both stood. Fear in each and every one of their steps as they walked towards him. The doctor looked at me, then to Wyatt—nodding before continuing to talk. I saw Wyatt freeze, his back stiffened and then Cash…

He turned and hunched his shoulders, his hands reaching out to the chair in front of him. His grip was so tight on the white plastic that his knuckles blanched. He dropped his head and began to take long, deep breaths.

I needed one of them to come back to me. Even though I knew what was said, it wasn’t real until I heard it with my own ears. It couldn’t be real.

Wyatt nodded as the doctor left, and he turned to Cash, gently resting his hand on his back while his gaze met mine. Wyatt’s eyes were wet with the tears he was trying to hold back, his cheek flushed.

Then—a howl filled the waiting room as Cash snapped, Wyatt’s arm jerking back as the chair Cash was white knuckling lifted in the air and flew across the room. It hit with a bang, the echo filling the vapid space as everyone who waited turned to look at Cash.

His fists were balled at his sides, his breaths shallow as he held his eyes tight. Any fear he had from before as he sat and waited was replaced by anger. I had never seen him like this, and now, not only did my heart cry for Sylas, it cried out for him. I was tempted to jump up and pull him in my arms, cry on his shoulders, and let him scream and throw all the chairs he wanted, but my body was frozen. My entire world was being thrown across the room, just like that damn chair.

“Sir…” A nurse said, approaching Cash with caution.

“He’s fine”—Wyatt held out a palm to her—“I’ll get him out.”

“Leave me alone,” Cash bit over his shoulder, his gaze landing right on me.

His brows met in the middle as his body tensed. He took ten steps towards me, but his expression didn’t soften. Stopping in front of me, his chin lowered.

He stood stone still, looked me directly in the eye, and said, “He’s gone.”

Toneless. Lifeless. As if it was just everyday news that he needed to share.

He’s gone.

Then Cash turned and stormed out of the hospital.

The entire world stopped. The white room turned black, and the last thing I remembered before I crumbled were Wyatt’s arms tight around me as he let me fall apart.

Present Day

My alarm clock blared, the familiar sound pulling me from the rest. Crawling out of my bed, my feet hit the cool hardwood floor. I knew today was going to be hard when I went to sleep last night. Today I’d have to face it again.

Five years ago today, I lost him.

---