Page 71 of Wicked Oath
“I’ll make sure he does.” I can’t stop the smile that spreads across my face despite how tired and worried I am. “Thanks, Daddy. Thank you for being understanding.”
“You love him, don’t you?”
“I really do.”
He gives my arm another squeeze. “So let’s make sure he gets through this.”
In the next few hours, all I feel is fear as I wait in the waiting room, yearning for news of James. Dad and Owen wait with me. They called Mom and Grandma and informed them of the news. Dad also called James’ mom, who sounded slurred on the phone. She might not have even understood that James is in trouble, and it hurts my heart to know she’s addicted to pills because of her husband’s death. With how much I love James, I could see myself becoming an utter mess if he died. I need to stay strong, though.
As I wait, I need something to pass the time, so I call Lucy. “You’re forgiven,” I blurt out the minute she answers.
“I am?”
“Life is too short to be angry, and I know you meant well when you told Owen about James. I can’t live my life without my best friend in it.”
Lucy lets out a squeal on the other end. “Yay! I’m so happy. I was terrified I ruined our friendship.”
“You could never do that.” I glance over at Owen, who’s scrolling on his phone. “So, you said Owen actually acknowledged you for once?”
“He did! I could barely contain my excitement. I think he thinks I’m mentally slow for how stupid I acted, but I don’t care. I’m just so happy he finally noticed me!”
“That doesn’t mean he’s in love with you, Lucy. Keep that in mind. I just don’t want you to get your heart broken.”
She scoffs. “Don’t worry about me, Olivia. I’m gonna make Owen fall in love with me eventually. He’ll have no choice when he gets to know me.”
“Ok, then. I wish you luck in your endeavors.” I don’t comment on how futile I think her dream is. My brother is a stubborn man. When he has his mind set on something, he doesn’t lose focus. If he’s not into Lucy now, I doubt he ever will be. The thought makes me sad that my best friend could be wasting her life on a man who’ll never love her back.
After hanging up and waiting several hours more for news, the doctor finally arrives and announces that James survived and that he’s stable and awake. “You can go in to see him,” the doctor tells me.
Hearing the good news, I practically fall to the floor in relief. Owen catches me as I stumble, smiling at me.
“I’m glad he’s alive for you, Olivia. And I promise I’ll make more of an effort with him going forward.”
I pull Owen into a deep hug. “Thank you. I know you just want to protect me but trust James to do that from now.” He nods, squeezing me back.
After I detangle myself from Owen, I head to James’ room to see him propped up in the bed, alive.
I rush to his side. “I didn’t trust what the doctor said to be true, but seeing you alive, I’m happier than I’ve ever been in my life.”
James smiles in his effortless way. “I’d die for you, Olivia. You need to know that.” His chest is bandaged, and his skin is sallow, but he still looks like my James—the one I fell in love with.
“Just don’t, though. Ok? I’d miss you too much.”
“Duly noted.”
“My dad has forgiven you for your actions, so we can be together in peace.”
His head slumps back against his pillow. “That’s good, at least. I just need to get a new slew of men to work for me. That’s not going to be fun.”
“Well, you have me, at least.” I grab his hand. “You’ll always have me.”
“Even when I told you the truth, you didn’t turn away from me. Why?”
“Because you had a very good reason for wanting justice. I could never fault you for that. And you’ve only ever shown me kindness and love. I could never hate you for that.”
“You’re too good, Olivia Donovan.”
“Kelly, you mean. I’m yours. And we both know I’m not always good.”
