Page 13 of Heal For Me

“Why are you there?” I growl. “Go home, Jailbird. Come here, just—just get out of there.”

There’s a pregnant pause as I rush to grab a shirt and throw shoes on, but I don’t like that she is silent. If I couldn’t hear the rain pounding in my ears, I’d have thought she hung up.

This is the phone call I’ve been dreading since day one of knowing Payson. I feel it deep inside me that something isn’t right. Something in her carefree voice, and the fact she’s discussing our wedding in past tense, like it’s not going to happen.

“I’m on my way, okay? Just hang out and I’ll be right there.”

“I love you, Ash. Please don’t ever think I didn’t.”

“Payson,” I beg, unable to help it now.

“And . . . just know that I was already too gone by the time you came into my life. You were a good distraction, but—” A shaky breath filters through my ear. “You should have left me broken.”

Not enough.

“Jailbird.” A tightness forms in my throat. The line goes dead, and I choke on my next breath.

“Fuck!” I throw the front door open, and Luca stands with his hand out as if he was about to open it.

“What is going on?”

“Payson.” Is all I’m able to get out. I hurry by him and head to my truck. The rain pellets at my back, but I can hardly feel it with the pounding inside of me. “Call her granddad’s! See what is going on,” I shout to him over the rain.

He holds up a thumb, and I slam my door.

Hang in there, babygirl.

She says she was too broken, but she’s so far from the truth. I’ll make it my life’s mission to show her there is more to her than the shattered pieces.

I blink back to present and drag a hand under my eyes. No tears fell, but it doesn’t stop the emotions from choking me.

Mum stares at me, so many unasked questions cross her face, but she stays silent.

“Dad coming up soon?”

“Yes. He was just showering, last we spoke.”

The time change has been difficult for Dad to get used to. I’ve only seen him here and there since he got in because all he seems to do is sleep. I guess that’s what happens when you age. Mum did just fine, though, so I think he is milking it.

“She’s so beautiful, Ashley.”

I drag my eyes back up to Payson’s face, admiring the same thing Mum is. “I know.”

Mum grabs my hand, brings it up, and kisses it softly. “I’m proud of you. A girl like Payson isn’t an easy task to take on.” She regards Payson again and smiles softly. “But they are aways worth it.”

“She is everything to me, Mum. I know our ages and her mental state are things that need to be considered, but I know if she would just wake up, we could do it. We can figure it all out together. I just need her to wake up.”

“It’s going to be a long road for Payson’s healing, Ashley. One that will require heaps of patience.”

“I know.”

She taps my hand, stands, and presses a motherly kiss to Payson’s forehead, then mine before disappearing to the bathroom.

“I need you to wake up, babygirl. I know I failed you before—several times—but I will never do it again. You just have to open your eyes.”

“Here.” Mum returns and holds a hand out to me. Inside of it is a small blue velvet box I immediately recognize. I shoot a look up to Mum. “You asked me to bring it, and I did. I’ve just been waiting for the right moment.”

My hand shakes as I grab it from her and pry it open to reveal what’s inside. “You think now is the right time?”

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