Page 172 of Crystal Iris
She nods, crying.
“I need to call him before he gets on a plane,” I tell her.
“Iris?” Hoyt’s voice is weak; he’s been crying.
“I’m okay,” I say.
“Oh, it’s so good to hear your voice. Aaron told me you were in the hospital. I’m at the airport. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
“No, Hoyt, don’t.”
“Don’t what?”
“Don’t come, please.”
“Why?”
“I… don’t want to see you.”
“What happened, Iris?”
“Darion, I think he wanted to…rape us… He didn’t. We are okay. Akira too.”
“I need to see you.”
“Hoyt, please. I…”
“What?”
“I can’t do this… us.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m sorry, Hoyt. I just can’t.”
“Are you… breaking up with me? Over the phone?”
“Hoyt… I’m sorry, okay? Aaron is here. I’m not alone; he’ll take care of me. I belong here, with him.”
“Aaron?”
“It’s always been him. I’m sorry, I’ve gotta go.”
I let myself cry until the nurse comes to take me away. I ask her for another minute.
“Akira, please, promise you’ll play along. Tell Hoyt you knew Aaron and I were still seeing each other. Please. If Darion or his family finds out about him, I…”
“I promise, Iris. Will you tell me where you’re going?”
“I can’t. For your own safety. I’ll try to… I’ll be okay.” The nurse starts to move me, insisting that both Akira and I need rest.
Aaron arrives a little later. He has two bags instead of one. “I’m going with you,” he says.
“No, you’re not. Aaron, you can’t.”
“I’m not letting you go by yourself. You’re still hurt.”
I know he won’t let me leave alone.I should’ve thought of that.
