Page 123 of Love Me Not

A burst of warmth spread throughout my chest as I looked at the scene in front of me.

Bella still had her head on my chest and was hugging me as hard as I could possibly allow her.My roommates were talking off to the side about what types of food they were going to sneak into the hospital room for me.

My brother was in front of me, concern on his face, no doubt wanting to know what had happened.And I would tell him all about it.I wouldn’t leave anything out.

They were all here for me.Me.I couldn't believe it.All these people were here because they cared about me and worried about me.Something seventeen-year-old me would've never imagined.

But that wasn't the end of it.

Marci poked her head in through the door and smiled when she saw me, a tray of drinks in her hands.

“How many people did you text?”I asked, looking at Lux.

The cutest blush ran up her neck and spread across her face.

“I think that's all,” she replied, but then both Mia and Laura walked through the door.

“Oh my God,” I said with a laugh.

“Is this some type of party or something?”Mia asked just as Laura crossed her arms over her chest.

“Have the police come yet?”Laura asked more seriously, and just as she did, two uniformed officers showed up behind them.

“Ms.Hayes?”

Laura turned around immediately, handing one of them her card.“She won't be answering questions at this time.You can come back later.”

“And who are you?—”

The other cop let out a heavy sigh once he read Laura's card.

“You're not gonna win this one,” he told his colleague, pulling him back by his vest.

“We need to?—”

“This is not a hill you want to die on, trust me.I know her.”

With that, they were gone faster than they arrived, and Laura looked at me with a large smile.Marci walked to her, handing her a hot coffee.

“One latte, nonfat milk, with one sugar.”

Laura thanked her, but my attention was pulled back to Lux when she lifted my hand and placed it to her lips.

“If you want them to leave, let me know.”

I shook my head and sent her a smile before looking out at all the people who showed up because they cared about me.

“This is good.Thank you.”

I leaned down and placed a kiss on top of Bella's head.Only then did I realize that she was asleep against me.

Tears pricked my eyes.It might have taken me a while to get here, but finally, I got a taste of what having a family felt like.

It was warm.It was fun.And I couldn't ask for anything more.

“I love you,” I whispered to Lux.

“I loveyou,Angel.”

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