Page 135 of Forever Wild
“You can’t force something like that. He has to want it.”
She has an answer for everything. God, I love her for that.
“Do you think he’ll go now?” I ask. It’s something I’ve beenthinking about. You hear all the time about people who have a traumatic medical event and turn their life around. Unfortunately, you also hear about people who don’t. I can’t guess which he’ll be.
“I’m not sure,” she says, and I appreciate her honesty, even if it stomps out the little hope I had of it being true.
“Go back to Briar Lake,” I tell her as a new sort of determination settles over me. I can’t change the past, but I can be here now. “Finish your internship and then decide what’s next for you. I need to be here. Iwantto be here.”
She has that stubborn look on her face. One that’s so familiar it loosens some of the tightness in my chest.
“This isn’t me pushing you away or trying to make decisions for you. I want you here too. Always. God, I don’t know what I’d have done without you the past couple of days. But I’ve got this.”
She still looks conflicted.
“You deserve to finish what you started.” I wink at her playfully as I add, “Go get my house ready.”
Everly finally laughs. She takes a few more seconds to consider before she concedes. “Fine, but promise me if something changes, you’ll ask for help? If not from me, from Tyler or Bridget or anyone else. We all want to be here for you however we can. We all love you.”
Her words feel like an acceptance of something I’ve always known but am finally really understanding. I don’t like letting other people help. I’m not sure that will ever change. I grimace but ultimately nod my agreement.
She pushes up on her toes and brushes her lips over mine. “I’ll be back Friday night.”
“I’ll be counting down the hours.”
40
USE IT FOR SOMETHING GOOD
EVERLY
Saturday afternoon I have lunch with Bridget and Grace in the hospital cafeteria. I got back into town last night and convinced Jack to let me keep his dad company while he went to practice. They have a game tonight and I know he’s struggling to be here and focus on the team.
He’s only left the hospital to shower and change clothes, but I think seeing his teammates and getting a little normalcy back will be good for him. His dad is getting released from the hospital in the next few days, if things still look good. I don’t know how he’s managed it on his own.
“When do you have to go back to Briar Lake?” Grace asks.
“Tomorrow night.” My stomach dips and bottoms out at the thought of leaving again. With everything going on it’s made me realize even more that my life is here. There is nothing pulling me back there except the job, and even thatfeels irrelevant.
“It’s a really nice thing you’re doing for him, looking after his dad so he can have a break,” Bridget says. “You’re the only one he would trust. Several of the guys and their wives have offered, and he hasn’t let anyone else help.”
“Yeah…” I trail off. “I guess so. I’m not really doing much. I sit with his dad while he’s awake. We’re reading this new romantic thriller together.” That makes me smile. He likes to give me shit for my books, but then when I ask if he wants to read something else, he tells me to keep going.
“I have to get back.” Grace checks the time on her phone. “Lunch again tomorrow before you leave?”
“You guys don’t have to keep doing this.”
“Are you kidding?” Grace stands with her tray, and Bridget and I do the same. “I’m sorry for the circumstances that have brought you back here, but I want to take full advantage of seeing you as much as possible while I can.”
“Same,” Bridget says.
On the way back to the room, I am feeling grateful and a little lighter. I adore my friends. I don’t know what I’d do without them. As I turn the hall to Jack’s dad’s room, I spot James standing outside on his phone.
I approach him slowly. He smiles at me as he continues to talk to someone.
“Yes, I know she can be difficult but that’s the job,” he says in a gruff tone. He’s quiet while I assume the other person on the line responds.
He has an almost bored look as he listens.
