Page 25 of Unsteady in Love

Tears trekked down my cheeks. I had no one to help me.

What if Holden was back and messaging me, and I wasn’t answering him back? Would he be worried?

“Is my phone here?” I prayed I could call Alex, and she could somehow check my email.

“No, I’m sorry, but you can use the phone here if you know the number.”

Who knew phone numbers anymore? And my head hurt too much to be able to remember anything. I was lucky I remembered my own name in that moment.

She must have seen something on my face because she smiled sadly. “You should get some rest. Maybe then you’ll remember the number.”

Maybe.

“Everything will feel better with a little time and rest.

I certainly hoped so.

16

HOLDEN

To:[email protected]

From:[email protected]

Subject: Prue

Date: June 15, 2018 11:57 pm

Holden,

Hi. This is Alex, Prue’s friend. Prue wanted me to let you know that she’s okay, but she’s in the hospital. Yesterday, she was in a pretty bad car accident from what she told me. I feel so bad that I can’t be with her in Fairlane and help out, but we’re in Hawaii for the summer. I offered to fly back, but she wouldn’t have it. You know Prue. She hates asking for help and didn’t want me to have to fly back and forth in only a few days. One of my friends offered to help with Atticus until she’s out of the hospital and to take her home. He’s very trustworthy, so I don’t want you to worry, and I promise you he’ll keep his hands to himself. Prue hasn’t told me much about what’s going on between you two, but I don’t want you to torment yourself. I’ve known Josh since high school and trust him with my life.

Prue wanted me to also check and see if you’d messaged her back. She’s been worried about you and hoped there’d be a message from you. Sadly, there’s not, but I’ll tell her not to worry. Although we both know that won’t do any good. She should be home tonight or tomorrow morning and will probably email you yourself.

I know I don’t know you, but thank you for putting the spark back in Prue’s eyes. In all the time I’ve known her, I’ve never seen her so happy and hopeful. I hope to meet you when you get home.

Alex

* * *

I readthe email again for the third time. Prue was hurt and in the hospital, and there wasn’t a single thing I could do to help her. Each day, I was closer to going home, but it wasn’t soon enough. Most days, I needed Prue to make it through all the shit I’d seen. One look at her beautiful face, and I forgot everything but her. But she needed me, and I couldn’t be there. Not only could I not be there, but her friend was gone too. She must have felt so alone and scared.

I was almost tempted to call my parents and ask them to help, but I knew they wouldn’t. If they knew I’d married Prue and had gotten my inheritance, they’d be livid, and who knew what they’d do. Prue didn’t need them trying to make her life a living hell.

All I knew in that moment was that I’d give anything to be there with Prue. The only thing that got me through the days was knowing that she was going to give me a chance, and the fact that she still loved me after everything I’d put her through.

I wasn’t sure if she would be home before I was sent out again. The only thing I could do was write her an email and hope to talk to her.

To:[email protected]

From:[email protected]

Subject: Are You Okay?

Date: June 16, 2018 5:23 am

Prue,

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