Page 22 of Revived
“I dream about her too. Almost every night she comes to visit me, and we pretend for those hours that I’m asleep, that it’s just her, me, and what could have been.” His eyes water, and he looks away. I reach out and grab his hand in a show of silent support.
If anyone were to see us like this, they’d probably assume we were in some sort of poly relationship. Both Byrne brothers in my bed, shirtless and touching me in some way. I can admit, it looks sketchy. However, my heart only beats for one person in this world, and that’s the man who has me wrapped in his arms. However, that doesn’t take away from the fact that the three of us went through something that day that no one else will ever understand.
I love Dom, Knox, and Xavier just as much as I love Flynn, but they weren’t in the room with us that day. They watched what happened, but from a security monitor. Now that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t mess with them as badly or anything like that. In fact, I know it does, because I’ve talked to them about it. The feeling of helplessness and guilt that overcomes them is something I can never understand. At the same time, Flynn, Sully, and I are the only three still alive who know what it was like to be standing on that balcony.
“I’m so sorry, Flynn. I swear if I had any clue that she was going to do that, I would have locked her back in the tunnels.”
“I know, Ellie. It’s okay. Some people are meant to have their great loves until they’re old and grey. If you’d pull your heads out of your asses, then that would be you two, if you didn’t know.” His eyes go between me and his brother just long enough for us to catch his drift. “Then there’s others who are meant to have their great loves for just a small moment in time before one or the other is taken. That’s me. I’ve felt great love, it was the best few months of my life, and then I was able to watch her from afar and make sure she was safe and happy. Until I wasn’t. I’ll never love another person again, and that’s okay. What's not okay is you two wasting time because you’re afraid.”
My heart breaks so badly for him and the grief and torment he walks around with every single day. He does an amazing job of masking it, but I can see those cracks all over the armor he’s covered himselfin. He gives me what’s meant to be a reassuring smile while gently squeezing my hand. His words hit me right in the heart, but he doesn’t understand that I’m protecting his brother at all costs.
“It’s early, Ellie. Go back to sleep. Sully’s got you.” He nods to his brother before kissing my brow and leaving to go back to the spare room.
He’ll be okay. I’ll make sure of it. But he’s right, it is late, and my favorite emotional support snuggler is holding me. I’m drifting back to sleep when his whispered words cover me like the warmest blanket.
“Sleep, Boo. Nothing can touch you with me here.”
***
Feet on the springboard. Hands on the vault. Arms in tight… twist… twist…
My feet meet the mat about the same time my jaw drops in complete shock. I just know my eyes are as big as saucers as they turn towards my coach, whose expression looks a lot like what I picture mine to look like. I’ve been throwing myself around and landing in more than compromising positions for so long that I’m shocked I actually landed it. The smile on my face could light up the entire universe from how brightly I beam.
“Holy… I did it.” I’m still staring at Jordan in shock when I realize everyone in the gym has stopped to gawk at me too.
Jordan’s arms are around me before I even process that she’s moved, and the next thing I know everyone is cheering for me. “You did it. I knew you could do it, Rory!”
Jordan mostly calls me by my last name, well, what she thinks my last name is. I’m used to it now, but sometimes it still catches me off guard, especially because it’s Sully’s middle name. We take a few minutes to celebrate before she gives me a stern look and a simple, “Now do it again.”
It’s after nine at night by the time we call it quits for the night. My blood sugar has done fairly well, and no friends are banging down the gym door to shove glucose tabs down my throat. So, all in all, it’s been a good day. Addison is leaving at the same time as I am, so of course,girl codeand friendship states we walk out together.
“You looked amazing today, Addy. You’re a shoo-in for the Trials.” We walk side by side down the hallway leading to the dark parking lot. I figured it would be dark when I left so I parked under a light pole.
“Me? You landed your vault all day long today. Add in your beam routine and you’re on the fast track to the Olympics.” She presses open the gym door and holds it open for me as I pass.
“We’ll see. I’m not holding my breath or anything, but I’m also not going to lie, three in a row would be next level.”
“It’d cement your spot with the best of the best. I’m proud of you, Elle.”
“Thanks I’m–” My words are caught in my throat as I take note of my car and the shards all over it and the area around it. Looking up, I realize that the light I parked under blew. Or more accurately, someone shot it out…
Fuck, he’s back.
I notice the envelope placed under my windshield wiper and make a move to grab it before backing up quickly back to my friend. I pull the piece of paper out and read a similar message to what I assumed I would find.
Thought you could hide from me, principessa?
I’ve missed you, my little gymnast.
-YSA
I pull out my cell phone silently and don’t speak until the person on the other end of the phone picks up. Addison is asking me something, but her questions go unanswered. The phone clicks, and a deep voice rumbles through the speaker.
“Elena? What’s up?”
“He’s back.” My voice comes out shaky even to my own ears.
“He’s not back, Elle. I took care of him last time. Why do you think it’s him?” He tries to reassure me.
