Page 111 of Fool Me

I shove at the doors again, then launch myself toward Canyon’s side. I don’t think, I just climb, pushing glass out of the way with my forearms, cutting my skin on the edges.

“Atlas!” Evans shouts. “Don’t move her—wait for EMS!”

“I’m not moving her,” I bark, breathless. “I just—I need to be with her.”

The smell of oil and airbag powder burns my nose. Canyon’s screaming at Evans from outside, but I don’t care.

All I see is her.

“Harlowe.” My voice cracks. “Harlowe, please.”

I don’t touch her, not beyond gently bracing the side of her face to keep it from slumping. I touch my forehead to hers and whisper, “I’m here. I’ve got you. Please be okay. Just—just hang on. Help is coming.”

I whisper her name over and over like it might tether her back.

And then?—

Her eyelids twitch.

She blinks up at me, confused, lips parting like she’s trying to say something.

I choke on a breath that turns into a sob.

“Oh thank God,” I whisper, swiping at my face. “Hey, hey—it’s okay. I’m here. You’re safe. Just stay with me, okay?”

She tries to move, and I shake my head, gently cupping her cheek. “Don’t. Just breathe. They’re coming. You’re gonna be okay.”

Her eyes close again, but not like before.

She’s with me.

And I can’t stop crying because I could have lost her tonight before I even got the chance to love her the way I want to.

CHAPTER

FORTY

HARLOWE

They’re putting Canyon in cuffs as they lift me onto the stretcher.

“Harlowe! You know me. Tell them—tell them this is a mistake. A.J.—Atlas, please, don’t let them do this! You’re my brother.”

There’s nothing I can do even if I wanted to with my neck braced, dried blood pulling at my scalp. The EMTs wheel me toward the ambulance, Atlas right at my side, ignoring his brother.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Canyon’s face is bruised and twisted with rage. It’s hard to reconcile this version with the man I first met when I moved here. He’s panicked and pleading, unhinged as he shouts at no one and everyone.

Everything’s loud and far away at once—the sirens, the orders, Canyon’s voice begging like it still means something.

“Fuck. You’re my big brother, come on. Tell them,” he tries one more time.

Atlas stalks after the officers, his face twisted in rage.

“Get him out of my sight,” he snaps at Sheriff Evans. “Lock him up—wherever he’ll be safe from me.”

It silences everything.

Even Canyon.

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