Page 174 of Stick It
I try to speak, but only a hoarse croak comes out. My throat’s dry as sandpaper.
He stands immediately, grabbing the plastic cup on the tray table and angling the straw toward me. I take a slow sip, the cool water soothing the ache in my throat.
“You’re in the hospital,” he says quietly. “They’re keeping you overnight for observation. Your vitals are good now, though. You’re okay.”
I nod slowly, my body still too heavy to do much else. “What…what happened?” My voice is rough, barely audible. “I remember…the tub. Someone… I couldn’t breathe. I—” My chest tightens as I remember the weight pressing me under, the panic clawing through me. The struggle. My arms flailing. My lungs burning. The terror. The rage. The cold. And then…nothing. “I thought I was going to die,” I whisper.
My last thought had been of the guys. And how we never had the chance to see where things went between us.
Bear’s face crumples.
Not dramatically. Not like in the movies. Just this small, devastating shift. His jaw tightens. His brow draws low. He lowers himself back into the chair like his legs can’t hold him anymore.
“I found him,” he says, his voice raw. “Kyle. Standing over you. I didn’t even realize it was you in the water at first. Just saw someone in the tub. Then I saw your hair.” He shakes his head. “I thought you were dead, Dylan.”
Tears spring to my eyes, hot and burning.
“I got him off you. The guys came in right after. I kept himpinned to the wall while Jax—Jax got you out. They brought you back.” His voice breaks on the last word. He sucks in a shaky breath, forcing himself to hold it together. “I’ve never been so goddamn scared in my life.”
“Bear…”
“I should’ve stopped him,” he says, voice rising with frustration. “I knew he was spiraling. Ethan came to me, said something was off. Said Kyle had a bone to pick with you. I kept my eye on him. I tried talking to him. Tried getting through to him. I gave him warnings, threatened to bench him. I did everything I could?—”
“This isn’t your fault,” I cut in.
His eyes snap to mine.
“No,” I say, firmer this time. “It’s not. You did everything you could. Kyle made his choices. This was never on you.”
“He wasmyplayer,” Bear says, shaking his head. “My responsibility. Your father would’ve—” He stops, pain flashing through his expression. “He would’ve had my head for letting this happen to you. I’m supposed to look out for you. And I almost?—”
“You didn’t,” I whisper. “You didn’t lose me. I’m still here. Because of you. Because of Jax. Because of all of them.”
Silence stretches between us. I reach out, my fingers brushing his hand. He takes it, strong and warm, and for a long time, we just sit there like that. Holding on. Him to me. Me to him.
My chest aches, but for the first time since waking up, it’s not fear that fills it. It’s something steadier. Stronger. Like even after everything, I’m not alone.
“Where are the guys?” I ask eventually, breaking the silence.
“I sent them home to shower and rest. They were hovering over your bed like mother hens.” He clucks in annoyance, but Iknow he doesn’t really mean that. He loves his players as much as he does me. “They’ll be here first thing, probably at the ass crack of dawn, if I know them.”
I smirk. I wouldn’t expect anything less. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if Griffin is hanging out in the waiting room.
Eventually, I close my eyes, exhaustion tugging at me again, but as I drift, peacefully this time, into the abyss, I keep Bear’s hand safely in mine.
When I wake, the calloused hand in mine has been replaced with a much finer, more delicate one. Cracking open an eyelid, I take in the fine lines, the familiar French manicured nails, and sparkling sapphire engagement ring.
“Mom?” Thankfully, my voice isn’t as wane this time, as I lift my gaze to meet hers. It’s almost a shock. I haven’t seen her in so long. She looks the same as always, except for the fine lines that have grown around her eyes and lips, and the fresh streaks of gray in her hair that is otherwise the same thick brunette as mine. She’s…older than I remember. Fragile in a way that tugs at my chest.
The second our eyes meet, hers flood with tears. “Oh, baby.” She’s up in an instant, smoothing my hair back, cupping my face between her palms like she can’t quite believe I’m here, breathing, alive.
“What—what are you doing here?” I’m still stunned to see her. Shocked.
She hasn’t answered any of my calls in months. Hasn’t reached out. Hasn’t…anything.
My gaze moves past her to Bear, who is lounging in a chair nursing a cup of hospital coffee. He grimaces behind her back. “The hospital contacted her. Don’t worry, I went and picked her up.”
Returning my gaze to my mother, I tell her, “You didn’t haveto come. I’m fine.” I know how much hospitals bother her—both of us—ever since…
