Page 107 of Feels Like Love
Finally, after the news came that Tessa’s surgery had gone well, I was able to relax a little. Wren and I celebrated by baking a cake together, and then we made love before falling asleep. I fell into a deep slumber, the knot in my stomach finally easing.
Another day passed, and I actually began to feel hopeful. Tessa was recovering in the Neurosciences Critical Care Unit. And Wren, River, and I were hanging out with Savannah and Maddox while Tristan spent time at the hospital. We got ice cream at Lick. And that night, we went to bed with smiles on our faces. It felt as if we might actually survive this nightmare.
But the following morning, I woke to the sound of Wren’s panicked voice. “Bennett,” Wren whispered, shaking me. “Bennett.” Her tone was more insistent.
“Wren?” I lifted my head and glanced around. Dawn was barely breaking, the room tinged with blue light from the early sun. “What’s wrong?”
“It’s Tessa.” She held her hand to her mouth, tears already streaming down her face. “She’s…” She swallowed, and I wished I could freeze time. “She’s gone.”
“What?” I bolted upright.
Wren nodded. She gulped in air. She was so upset, it was hard to make out what she was saying.
“Calm down, baby.” I pulled her to me. “Calm down. Shh.” I smoothed my hand over her hair. “Deep breaths. You’re okay.”
When her sobs finally turned to hiccups, she handed me her phone whereThe Vinewas displayed. “Here.”
I stared at it, knowing that once I read the words, I couldn’t go back. It was silly, really. It wouldn’t change anything, but I wished it would.
It iswith great sorrow that we share the following news.
Teresa “Tessa” Lockwood, local sweetheart, librarian, and lifelong resident of Alondra, died on April 22, at the age of 32, from complications following brain surgery.
Tessa is survived by her parents and sister; her husband, Tristan Lockwood; and her two children, Savannah and Maddox.
I couldn’t readany more, and I set down the phone with a heavy heart. How could this be? Tessa was too young to die. Tristan needed her. Her family needed her.
It made me think of Wren, and my chest tightened. If I were in Tristan’s shoes and it was Wren who… I couldn’t even go there. I didn’t want to imagine how devastated I’d be.
* * *
Tristan’s front door opened,and Wren walked in, River just behind her. She looked beautiful in a dark-purple dress, her golden hair shining like a halo. Sadness clung to her like all of us, her blue eyes rimmed with red.
I wanted to hug her. Hold her. Lose myself in her.
But I couldn’t. Because as far as everyone knew, we were just friends. God, this sucked.
River was the first to spot me. “Bennett!” He ran across the room and launched himself into my arms.
I caught him with an “oomph,” then laughed, holding him tight. Breathing him in. God, I loved this kid.
I’d barely seen him all week, and boy had I missed him. I’d been busy with work and trying to help Tristan with Savannah and Maddox or preparations for the service. As much as Liam, Asher, and I tried to be there for him, we couldn’t replace his wife. And we weren’t going through what he was.
A few people looked at us, but most were caught up in their own conversations or grief. I still couldn’t believe Tessa was gone. It was bullshit. Nothing about this was fair.
“What about me?” Liam teased, opening his arms for a hug.
“Oh, right.” River’s smile was sheepish. “Hi, Uncle Liam.”
They hugged then River glanced around before leaning in, lowering his voice. “Savannah’s been really sad lately.”
My lips turned down, but I tried to be strong for River. “Yeah. I’m sure she misses her mom. We all do.”
He stared at the floor and took a deep, shaky breath. “Bennett.” His tone was so serious. “I need to ask you something.”
“Sure.”
“So…I’ve been thinking about what would happen to me if something happened to my mom. I don’t have a dad like Savannah and Maddox. I’d be all alone.”
