Page 118 of The Brickwall and the Bombshell

We both followed our dreams, and those dreams led us here—to a time and place where two people whose life view is jaded, find love in an unconventional way.

“I love her.” I’m not sure who I’m telling that to. Sophie. Myself. Greer, if she can hear me. But I just need to say it. I need everyone to know how much I love this woman.

“I know,” Sophie says, reaching up to lightly touch Greer’s arm, just above the bandage, which is one of many.

She has one around her head due to a laceration on the back. It’s small, but head wounds bleed a lot, so they cleaned it and wrapped it. Her left eye is a little swollen and a faint bruise has bloomed on her cheek.

There’s also her shoulder, which is the worst of her injuries, outside of the head trauma. Thankfully, the blade missed anything important, and once they confirmed there was no damage to her lung, they sterilized the wound and bandaged it up. She might need to keep her arm in a sling for a while to allow it to heal, but no lasting effects.

Other than that, she has a cut on her arm and hand that both required a few stitches, and a slash on her stomach that wasn’t as deep and will heal on its own.

Now, we just need for her to wake the hell up.

“She loves you too,” Sophie says quietly. “I don’t want to overstep, but I think you should know she loves you too. But you also need to know that even though Greer might seem tough on the outside, her heart is tender. She deserves someone who’s going to take care of it.”

There’s a hint of warning in her tone and I think it’s Sophie’s polite way of telling me if I break Greer’s heart, I’ll have her to deal with, which quite honestly, scares the shit out of me. But she doesn’t have anything to worry about, because breaking Greer’s heart is the last thing I’d ever want to do.

Her pain is mine.

Her heartache and struggles are mine.

But also her love.

Sophie didn’t have to tell me Greer loves me, because I’ve seen it in the simple things—the secretive glances she gives me when she thinks I’m not looking, the smile she saves just for me, the way she runs me a bath on nights my knee is hurting because she knows it’s what I like, and being the first person to ever ask me who I lean on… then silently offering to be the one.

My throat aches as I hold back another round of emotion.

Standing, I lean over Greer’s bed and press my lips to her cheek, whispering in her ear. “Wake up for me, baby. I need you to wake up…”

Is it strange to miss someone when they’re right in front of you?

Because I fucking miss her. I need her smartass remarks and cutting stares. I need her laughter and the energy she brings to a room. I miss her voice and the way it soothes even the deepest parts of my soul.

Just as I’m settling back into my seat, I hear a faint sound.

“Mack?”

Sophie and I both stand as Greer’s eyes flutter open.

“Greer.” Sophie’s choked sob fills the room and Greer turns to look at her, raising her hand to Sophie’s cheek. “You scared me, bitch.”

A faint smile spread on Greer’s lips as her eyes blink slowly. “I’m okay.”

“Yeah,” Sophie says, nodding as tears stream down her face. “You are… You’re going to be just fine.” Taking a deep breath, she wipes at her eyes before bending down and placing a gentle kiss on Greer’s cheek. “I’m going to head down to the waiting room and tell everyone you’re awake. I’ll give you two a minute.”

I watch as she leaves and when I look back down at Greer, she’s crying.

“Don’t do that, baby,” I beg, catching her tears with my thumb. “No more tears, okay?”

“I ruined her reception. It was the perfect day and I—”

“You had no control over anything that happened tonight,” I say as I kneel beside her bed. “The only person we’re going to blame for any of this is Lydia. And maybe fucking Freeman, but the jury is still out on that one.”

Her eyes go wide. “Freeman?” Her mouth opens and then closes. “What does he have to do with it? Wait, did he invite her?”

Nodding, I run a hand through my hair. “Yeah, they met at a bar a few weeks ago and she was his plus one to the wedding.”

Greer shakes her head. “This is all so crazy. I can’t believe that she is the person who has been stalking me. It’s surreal to have a name and know, but it’s also freeing. I mean, I’m obviously a little worse for wear, but the weight of the unknown I’ve been carrying around for the past few months has been lifted. I’m not happy about putting a stain on Sophie’s wedding day, but…” She pauses, taking a deep, cleansing breath. “I’m so fucking relieved.”

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