My parents were never far from the hospital either. They came and went the same as Dom’s family did. I just couldn’t deal, though. People talked around me, to me even, but I couldn’t bother to pay attention. The doctor had wanted to keep me another night, but I’d convinced him to release me since I wasn’t going far. The nurses kept tracking me down to Dom’s bedside anyway. Eventually they quit trying to convince me to move back to my own bed and took my vitals there.
All of our friends were trying to relieve some of the burden for Dom’s family, but the Torres family was a stubborn bunch. It was incredibly apparent where Dom had gotten it from. Sofia was the heart of the family, and seeing her so broken was enough to rip what was left of my heart into tiny pieces.
The doctors were convinced Dom would be waking up in the next twenty-four hours since his body had finally started healing. But they didn’t know what condition he’d be in mentally when he woke up. Brain damage was on the tip of everyone’s tongue. My biggest fear was he wouldn’t remember me or that he’d blame me for distracting him and causing the accident. Every time my head went to that place, I wanted to give in to the panic attack waiting to take hold. But I was terrified if it happened, the doctors would want to sedate me. Waiting for the moment Dom woke up gave me something to focus on, though. I’m not sure how I’d even convinced everyone to leave me with him alone.
Each time I sat down next to him, I saw him hanging upside down in the truck again. It would be a long time before I’d be able to shake the images. I didn’t know if I’d ever feel safe again. I wouldn’t if I didn’t have Dom.
“Dominic, you need to wake up, baby.” I gripped his hand in mine tighter. “We haven’t had enough time together yet, and damn it, you promised me we’d have forever. Baby, I’ll say yes. We can get married as soon as you want. I just need you to open up those gorgeous brown eyes, and tell me everything’s going to be okay.”
My voice was hoarse from lack of use. I whispered the words I hadn’t wanted to say in front of everyone else. When he didn’t respond, I choked back a sob. “Dom, please.”
Staring at him with all the tubes and machines around him was terrifying, but as long as they were keeping him here with me I wouldn’t let them send me into a tailspin. More than anything, I wanted him to open up his eyes and tell me he loved me again. God must hate me to give me this amazing man and keep taking him from me. I was being punished for something.
“Please,” I pleaded. “Please don’t take him.”
I rested my head on the side of his bed, careful that I didn’t pull on my stitches as I put my hand on his chest so I could feel him breathing. I must have fallen asleep at some point. When I woke up, my sides were stiff and I was practically lying on top of him. Jesus, even in my sleep, I had to get closer to him. It took me a few seconds to realize where I was, but when I felt Dom squeeze my hand, my eyes shot up to his. He was looking at me, studying my injuries without moving.
I knew he was looking at the scrapes on my face and bruises from where the seatbelt had held me in place. The emotions in his gaze burned into me, and I tried to answer him without speaking because words weren’t enough. Tears welled up in my eyes, but I wouldn’t let them fall. I gathered every ounce of strength I had and leaned over him. My lips brushed along his lips, and I whispered into his ear.
“I love you so much.”
His eyes closed briefly as I gently rested my forehead against his.
“We’re going to be together. Forever. I’m keeping you, Dominic.”
Epilogue
Dominic
Six Weeks Later
“So I sent him a thumbs-up and a pineapple emoji,” Quinn said with a straight face. “It was a very interesting night.”
The girls groaned, but the guys all laughed. After Padre, Quinn had become versed in all things pineapple related.
“You’re as bad as a guy,” Riley said, shaking her head. I laughed even harder.
Brooke smacked at my arm, and I pretended to rub it like it hurt.
“What? We should experiment, see if it’s true from a medical standpoint.”
She pretended to glare at me. I laughed and kissed her forehead. Her arms wrapped around my waist, and she sighed into my neck. After six long weeks, we were finally on the mend. Brooke’s injuries hadn’t been as extensive as mine from the accident, but she’d had a hard time mentally accepting what had happened. Some days, it was a challenge getting her out of bed. Because we’d missed the beginning of the semester, we both decided to take the remainder of the year off and start fresh in August, which gave both of us the time we needed to heal.
Today was the first day we’d been back to Mount Bonnell since the accident. We’d brought all of our friends with us because we wanted to erase the bad memories and replace them with good ones. It was also important that we didn’t let the accident take something so special to us.
I tugged her away from our friends, and she followed easily. The beautiful smile on her face was starting to make an appearance more and more often. I just wished it would stay there forever. With any luck, I’d be able to keep it on there for a long time after today.
“Baby, I want to ask you something.”
She gave me a funny look and followed me farther out and closer to the edge where the view was better. It also allowed us to have a little bit more privacy. I caught Josh in my peripheral and knew he was in place.
Showtime.
I dropped down to one knee and pulled the ring out of my pocket. Her hands flew to her mouth and she gasped.
“Brooke Caldwell, I’ve been in love with you for four years. We’ve fought like hell to get where we are, and I want to spend the rest of my life loving you. Will you marry me?”
In the four seconds it took her to answer I died a million deaths.
“Yes, God yes, Dom.”
Her arms wrapped around my shoulders, and I lifted her off the ground in a huge hug. Our lips met, and I finally felt things click into place. After the accident, I was most upset about the fact I hadn’t been able to ask her this question on New Year’s Eve.
“I need to confess something,” she whispered after I’d kissed her senseless. “I knew you had the ring and I wanted to beg you to ask me every day since the accident.”
I smiled sadly. “I wanted everything to be perfect.”
She rested her forehead against mine. “I just want you.”
Josh gave us a few minutes, but eventually he made himself known. I shook his hand and let him hug Brooke. He’d been more than happy to repay the favor of taking photos for me. Caroline had convinced Brooke to go and get a manicure and pedicure yesterday, and I was all set to go. We rejoined our friends after a few minutes, and I lifted her hand into the air to show off my ring.
“She said yes!”
We were swarmed instantly. Hugs and congratulations everywhere. The smile never left Brooke’s face. My chest puffed up at the fact I’d put it there. Liam and Caroline were the only ones who held back. I knew this was coming. He’d given me the heads-up yesterday, and I appreciated it. Brooke’s gaze met Caroline.
Liam squeezed Caroline’s hand as she said, “We have an announcement too.”
Brooke’s eyes widened. “You’re engaged too? You’re—”
Caroline shook her head quickly. “No, we aren’t, but we’re moving in together.” She took a deep breath. “In Hawaii.”
I wrapped my arms around Brooke.
“We leave tomorrow.”
Letter to the Reader
Thank you so much for taking the time to read Keeping Dominic. I hope you enjoyed it! I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed writing this story.
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Other Works by Alyson Reynolds
The Relentless Series
Relentless
Restless
Selfless
Flawless
The Waiting Duet
Waiting to Breathe
Waiting to Fall
Finding Forever (Crossover Novella)
The Goldenboys Series
Keeping Dominic
Educating Liam (Coming July 26th)
The Royals Series
Taming the Princess
Prince Charming (Coming Soon)
Standalones
Stolen Memories
The Right Kind of Wrong
Blue Christmas
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Acknowledgments
To my husband and children. You love me even when I’m lost in my head trying to figure out what comes next. Thank you for being my world.
My beta readers, Raquel, Ashlie, Donna, Cori, Dawn and Ana. You guys keep me sane when I need it most. I love you all and thank you so much for everything you do—especially for being there when I need to bitch about my characters not doing what they’re supposed to.
My publicist, Linda, thank you. I can’t wait to continue our journey. Your support means the world to me and I’m already looking forward to the next one.
My readers. You guys are amazing. I still can’t believe I get to wake up and do this every day. Thank you for giving me the encouragement to continue.
Bloggers: Thank you for being the rock stars that you are. This industry needs you more than you know and you don’t get the recognition you deserve. The girls at BBB, AD Angels, BOB—you are my heroes. I love you all.
Thank you to Cat, my amazing PA and proofreader. I couldn’t make it without you. You crack the whip when I need it and you encourage me when the words won’t flow. Thank you for all the memes and gifs that make me laugh when I need it most.
Lindee and Emily, thank you for helping make this book gorgeous on the inside and out.
And most of all, thank you Stephanie, the amazing woman that this book was dedicated to. Thank you for being my friend for over twenty years. I miss your love and encouragement. Digging into this book allowed me to forget we had lost you for a few seconds at a time. One day I’ll see you again, and when I do, I want one of your amazing hugs.
About the Author
USA Today Bestselling Romance author. Wife. Mother of two. Avid reader. Queen of multitasking.
Originally from the south, Alyson likes to incorporate what she knows into her books. She's lived not only on the east coast, but the west coast and a few places in between. Alyson loves sharing stories about her crazy family to anyone who will listen. Her guilty pleasures consist of coffee, country music, brunch, and pedicures. And she will always be a daddy's girl.
When Alyson isn't chasing around her two kiddos, she's normally writing. Or reading. Her Kindle library is out of control. Alyson writes mainly contemporary novels and novellas with a bit of new adult mixed in.
www.authoralysonreynolds.com
Keeping Dominic (The Golden Boy Series Book 1) Page 20