Page 87 of Every Single Vow
“No. No,” I mumble.
He doesn’t get to win. Billy Sterling doesn’t get to win like this.
Another cry leaves my throat, a panic rising as I try to kick at my window.
That’s when I realize, he’s won.
One more breath fills my lungs before the water engulfs my entire body.
Letting the realization settle in my bones, I let my mind go back. Back to a time when a little boy saw me.Really saw me.
His golden hair.
His blue eyes.
The peace he brought while I was in the middle of the storm.
Suddenly, his face appears. So real it’s like he’s here. Like he found me.
Thud
My eyes close.
The faint sound of my name being called through the rush of water.
Thud.
My chest aches.
Thud.
I’d give anything for one more moment.
Anything.
I drift off with a singular promise.
I’ll always love you, Cooper Mayson.
Chapter fifty-eight
Cooper
My thumb casually strokes against Dakota’s hand. The one that has an IV taped against her smooth skin.
She lays peacefully in a hospital bed, still looking like the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.
“You need to get that hand looked at,” my mother says quietly, placing a kiss on the top of my head. “It looks gnarly.”
When we spotted the truck down in the ravine, it took us nearly fifteen minutes to get to it. Then it felt like it took a lifetime until I was hauling my unconscious wife out of thesubmerged vehicle. My fist beat that windshield until it finally shattered and I was able to get her out.
By then, the ambulance and fire crew had been called. Brady was on shift, and I couldn’t respect him more for how he took charge, barking orders left and right before she was transported directly to the hospital. That was nearly ten hours ago, and she still hasn’t woken up.
The doctor said sometimes the body needs time after a traumatic event. Like nearly drowning after a horrific car accident.
“My hand is fine,” I dismiss.
“Hey, Papa C.” I turn at Arizona’s voice.
