Page 55 of Never Always
That’s literally the one thing that no one can put a price tag on. It’s priceless. Time is ticking by right now, as I taste what losing love feels like. I eye the counter where Maeve told me to find what I came for. “I need a second alone.”
They exit the room, entwined in each other and I take what I need and leave without saying goodbye. I get into my car and drive first to the post office, and then home. I fall apart. While I’m lying on the floor, looking at the dying floral bouquet from Rexy, I get it. This is the moment. Staying is harder than walking away. Suffering through heartbreak would in fact be the easier option. I don’t have a choice and think I might not have ever had free-will since the moment I met Corrick Granger. I was meant to love him back to life. I let the pain in my chest strengthen me. I’m sharpened.
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Two Months Later
The package came, and I felt sick as I opened it, even sicker when I realized what I had to do, and violently ill when I thought of what the outcome might, and probably would be. Grange won’t return my calls, and it took begging, literally on my knees, to get Mercer to escort me on base, and into the hospital wing. I think Clover told him, or threatened him, or something, to finally get him to agree. He’s taking a huge risk. I have the gift slipped into the back pocket of my jeans, and a chess set under my arm. His reaction to me is what I’m most afraid of. My courage is false. The bravado is like a mask I know I have to wear.
Mercer is muttering by my side as he leads me down the long sterile hallway after lying to the nurse and saying I’m his sister. “Tennyson, if he goes wild like some werewolf, you’re gonna get me in so much trouble.”
“Thank you again. I know this was a huge favor, but it’s the only way. He could stay locked up here forever, or I can try.”
“You think I don’t know that? It’s the only reason I’m humoring you, woman!” His thick Southern accent makes me smile even though he’s irritated. “It’s your life. You’re poking a fucked up mutant bear with a stick. Get ready for war.”
I swallow hard as we stop in front of a door without windows.C. Granger.Risk Level Two.The sign on his door is frightening. “I told you,” Mercer says. “If you change your mind right now, we can leave.” He looks scared.
I put my hand on the door lever. “I owe him this, Mercer. I love him.”
He shakes his head, but the emotion blazing in his eyes tells me he gets it. He’d do the same for Clover in a heartbeat. “Good luck.”
Opening the door, I see Grange immediately, sitting at the edge of his bed, head in his hands, his clothing looking a couple sizes too large for his frame. “It’s not fucking dinner time yet,” he growls.
My chest hurts, and my eyes prick with tears. His voice. I’ve missed it so much it physically pains me. “It’s me,” I say.
Grange’s head pops up quick. He stares at me and his face goes through a range of emotions. Finally, it lands on anger, as I suspected. “How did you get in here?” His eyes gaze flits over my body and lands on the chess set.
He has a chessboard set up on a small table. Except instead of chess pieces, he has plastic army men on the squares. All of the men are lying down except for one, presumably the king. I swallow hard, and steel my nerves.
“Do you have to ask?” Poor Mercer. He doesn’t deserve this. Though neither does Grange.
“I should have known that asshole wouldn’t keep a promise. No one keeps promises. No one does what they’re supposed to.” He closes his eyes, a method to avoid looking at me, I’m sure. But he can’t resist, he stands and approaches me.
“Let’s skip the obvious,” I reply, nodding to his messed-up chessboard. “Getting some playtime in?”
He follows my gaze. “I’ve had some time on my hands.”
“Why didn’t you call me, Corrick? Why won’t you talk to me?”
He smiles. “That’s a joke, right? You have always been dense.” The first cut is the deepest.
I hold my breath. “Humor me then. Why won’t you talk to anyone?”
“Oh, I’m talking to people. So many people I can’t even remember their names. I’m just not talking to you.”
“Why?” I toss back.
“It’s complicated.”
“I’m an educated woman. Give me the chance to comprehend.” I set the chess set down on the end of his bed and stand in front of him. I’m a scared, spineless woman who has gathered a lifetime of negative experiences and turned them into a suit of armor. He can’t hurt me with words. Not anymore. “Unless you don’t think you can explain.”
I can see the challenge in the set of his strong jaw. “I’m cursed to destroy the people I love.”
“You have always been dense, haven’t you?” I return.
He narrows his eyes. “Are you saying I’m wrong? Because we have some solid proof now.”
“I’m saying you’re hiding in here instead of facing life head-on. I know that you’re hurting more than I can comprehend. It’s been months, Grange. Months. I’ve waited patiently for you to open your door to me. When I realized you wouldn’t, I broke it down instead.”
