by Bella Emy
I give him a small, sad smile. “You could never let me down, Pops.”
“I love you, son.”
“I love you, too, Pops.”
He lets out a sigh and picks his cup back up off the table, refilling it. “So, now that all that’s out on the table, I should be out of here within the next couple of days.”
“Really? That’s great.” I’m happy to hear he’ll be able to go back home soon. I know Mom must be thrilled about it as well.
“Yeah, I’ll be able to go back to being your mother’s pain in the ass soon.”
I chuckle. “I’m sure she’s looking forward to that.”
“She is,” he says, then nods.
As those words leave his lips, my mother walks back into the room. “Hey, Ma. Look who’s up.”
“Maddox,” she begins. Her expression is frightening. “You need to go back and wait for Adelyn.”
My heart stops at her words and it’s as if I can’t breathe. “Adelyn? Where is she?”
I push away from my father’s bedside and meet her as she walks toward us.
“She’s with Rick.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
“How’s she holding up?” Grant asks upon arriving at the hospital a few hours later.
I take a sip from my coffee cup and keep an eye on Adelyn across the waiting area as she sits with her sisters, best friend, and some of Rick’s family members. She’s completely zoned out with a far-off look in her eyes. Her expression is pale, her eyes are wet, and she looks as though she’s seen a ghost. Can this day get any worse?
When I was sitting in Pops’ room and Mom walked in, she opened the gates to some very traumatic news.
She’s with Rick.
At first, I figured that was a good thing. He’d woken up while I was visiting my dad, and Adelyn got to see him. Everything could go back to the way it was and I could figure out how to let the woman who has a hold on my heart go for good. They’d get married and start a family, and I’d stand off in the background watching it all play out alone. I’d be there to support both of them because they’re my friends and that’s what friends do. At night, I’d go home to no one and live in my miserable existence which no one would know about but me because why the hell would I want to bring anyone else down with me. They’d all think it would be fine and dandy and Maddox Martinelli is doing great while on the inside I’m actually dying. But like I said, no one would need to know.
No one but me, myself, and I.
Anyway, when I left Pops’ room and started down the hall, I was greeted by a doctor that had performed Rick’s surgery.
“We’re doing all we can do…” were the words he used. That had to be better than, “We did all we could,” meaning Rick didn’t make it through.
But he had made it through. He’s still alive, and yet, he’s not all there. Rick’s in a coma. Those words crushed my soul. To know that my best friend literally took a bullet for me, and now because of it, he’s lying unresponsively in a hospital bed in a fucking coma? That shit doesn’t sit right with me.
I wanted to lash out, to break something… let all my anger out like I would have normally done back in the day.
But I couldn’t. I had to control myself. I had made promises, and my promises needed to be kept.
“He’s in stable condition, which is good, but he’s unresponsive,” Doctor Monroe said, as he gave me the news of my friend’s condition.
And as I entered the room and witnessed Adelyn breaking down at Rick’s bedside while she gripped onto his hand, I walked toward her and then she collapsed into my chest. My arms wrapped around her as she sobbed.
I felt her crying on me. I felt all her emotions being released on me. She didn’t utter a single word for a long time. All she did was cry.
And all I did was hold her. Because she needed me. In that moment, at that very time, she needed me, and I had to be there for her. Even if inside I didn’t feel strong. Even if inside, I wanted to break down right alongside with her.
But I couldn’t. I had to keep it together for her. And I did. Sure, I shed some tears. How could I not? It’s my fault everything that happened to Rick. But I did my best not to let her see me upset, and I think I did well with that.
“Maddox, is she all right?”
I avert my gaze back to Grant and realize I still haven’t answered him minutes later. “She’s hanging in there, but barely. It’s been a nightmare of a day.”
Grant nods. “Yeah, so I’ve heard. I couldn’t believe it when I found out. I got here as fast as I could.”
Thank God for Grant and the rest of the guys. Their support is so needed right now because I don’t even know how I’m holding it together.
And then I look back at Adelyn and realize it’s all for her and the promise I made to Rick. This is how I’m holding it together, how I’m getting through this fucking day from hell.
“She’s going to need you now more than ever, you know that, right?” Grant’s voice snaps me back to reality.
I nod. “I’m here for her, for whatever she needs.”
“Good,” he says after sipping on his coffee. “Because if God forbid something happens to Rick and you’re not here for her, she won’t do well. Mad, trust me, I’m serious. She won’t.” He emphasizes the last two words. “When you left all those years ago, if she hadn’t had Rick, she’d be a basket case today. That’s why she cares about him so much, you know?”
“Huh?”
Grant motions to Adelyn, still sitting beside Julia, Orion, and some of Rick’s family members. Rick’s mother and father are in his room with him now. How we were all able to pull Adelyn away for a bit to grab a bite to eat is a miracle. I didn’t think she’d ever leave Rick’s bedside.
“She’s in shock right now. Sure, she cried, but she’s thankful he’s alive and made it through the surgery. But being that he’s in a coma and we won’t know if he’ll—”
“When,” I cut Grant off. Fucking when not if because there is no way I am accepting the idea of Rick not making it through.
He looks at me narrow eyed. “When,” he corrects himself. “When he’ll wake up, it’s still going to hit her from time to time. You’re going to need to be there for her until he comes to and is back to his old self again.”
“He’ll pull through,” I insist. He will. He has to.
Grant nods. “He’ll pull through, but Maddox, you’ve got to be the strong one here. In case he doesn’t, and I hate to say this because I know this isn’t what you want to hear. But in case he doesn’t because you know there is a chance… as hard to imagine as it may seem, you’re going to need to be strong for her.”
I look over at Adelyn. Her sorrow kills me. After a moment, she looks over at me with emptiness in her eyes as her friends try to comfort her. Even so, I’m the one she’s looking at.
“You see that,” Grant says.
“What?”
“She’s looking at you.”
Guess he noticed, too. He continues speaking. “Sure, she’s got her friends and family, but you’re the one she’s looking for to help her get through this, even if she’s not saying a word right now. Are you going to step up and be there for her?”
I snap my gaze over at him. “Of course, I am. I made that promise to Rick when he was lying in my arms, bleeding out.” The memory causes my eyes to swell up with tears again. “I promised him, and I’m promising her. Grant, I love that woman.” The words spill out of me before I have a chance to stop them, and I instantly wish I could take them back.
But I can’t, and from his expression, I know he’s heard me and they haven’t passed him by.
Grant chuckles softly. “You don’t say.”
“I’m sorry. I don’t know why I said that.”
“Because you mean it, Mad. You love her, and fuck if she doesn’t love you still, too.”
I take in the vision of Adelyn and I can’t even deny it. I love her. So damn much it scares me. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for her.<
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But I don’t know if I was ready to let the world know. That was never my plan, never my intention. I didn’t want anyone knowing.
But him saying she loves me still, just like Rick had said… What the hell, how come I never got the memo?
Facing Grant once more, I say, “How do you know that? I mean, why am I the last person to know this? Rick told me the same thing as he was… fuck, man. How is this happening?” I grip the side of my head with both hands and lean my head down. I can’t do this. “This can’t be happening. This isn’t the way things are supposed to be.”
“Are you sure, Maddox? Because from what I’m seeing, and obviously what everyone else sees, it’s always been what’s meant to be. It’s always been the two of you.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Thirty-one days. It’s been thirty-one days since the shooting, and there’s still no change in Rick’s condition. Adelyn never wants to leave his side, but somehow, she easily gave in yesterday afternoon without a fight. I think she’s tired. I think we’re all tired.
I texted her not too long ago that I’ll pick her up so we can visit Rick once again, but she texted back saying Julia dropped her off on her way to work. Luckily for me, I’m off today and I’ll be heading over there right after I leave where I am now: Mom & Pops’.
Doctor McLaughlin sent him home two weeks ago, which made everyone feel relieved. Sales continuing to go up at the store are also helping, making everyone feel less stressed. Of course he hasn’t been allowed to go back to work. But not because of doctor’s orders… it’s because of Mom’s.
I sit back further into my seat and watch Mom as she folds some laundry on a chair. And of course when I offered her my help, she started laughing at me like a mad woman; she never lets me help around the house anymore. She tells me I work too much and shouldn’t worry about the chores at home. Still, I find little things to do around the house and help when she’s not looking. Now that Pops needs to take it easy for a while and won’t be doing all the little projects around the home like he used to, I’ve been sneaking those in. For some reason, she’s not like this with my brothers. Maybe it’s because I was gone for so many years and they weren’t. I’m not sure. However, I’m pretty sure she’s noticed that the faucet is no longer leaking or the door to the back porch is no longer creaking, but she doesn’t have to know it was me.
Mom places a gray T-shirt against her chest and folds it before placing it in the basket to her left. “How’s Rick doing? Any changes?”
I swallow my sip of water and place the bottle down onto the table. “Unfortunately not. They still don’t know when he’s going to wake up.”
“He’s stable still, right?”
I nod. Thank God for that. “Yeah, he’s still stable. I think that’s what’s keeping everyone’s hope alive.”
“I’m sure, but that’s good to hear.” Mom smiles and picks up a pair of Maverick’s jeans before folding them. Then she looks at me again and says, “Someday your brother will do his own laundry.”
I chuckle. “Yeah, right after he moves out.”
She laughs. “It’ll happen. He just has it so easy here, but I know one day he’s going to find the right girl, fall in love, and move out with her. Watch.”
“Mav doesn’t strike me as the type of guy to settle down with anyone soon, Ma.” I stand up from my seat and push my chair in, then I grip onto the back of the chair.
“It’s all part of growing up. You’ll see. And then maybe you will get married soon, too.” Her face lights up. “Mason is already halfway there.”
Yeah, Mason and Mariah. I still don’t feel like Mariah is in this for the long haul. But everyone else seems to be convinced. And Mom? The greatest thing for her would be to see her three sons all married and having kids.
I just smirk and shake my head. “Yeah, um, I think there’s a better chance that Mav and Mason will get hitched and have kids before I do. I’d put my money on them if I were you.”
Mom scoffs. “Maddox, I don’t know why you’re so negative about that stuff. We all know how your story plays out, except for you it seems.”
I suck in a breath. What? Where is she going with this? “What do you mean?”
She shrugs. “I know Adelyn is off the market, and she would have been the one I would have imagined you ending up with all those years ago. But how about her friend? Julie? She’s just as pretty.” Mom winks.
I roll my eyes. Leave it up to my mother to try and set me up. “Julia?”
Her eyes light up again. “Uh huh. That’s the one. Julia. She’d be a good match for you.”
Julia Anderson, Adelyn’s best friend, who could pass for her sister with darker hair and green eyes. She’s a beauty, that’s for sure. But since she’s no longer dating that doctor, if she ever gets serious with anyone else again, I have a feeling she’d want it to be with Mason.
“What do you think, sweetie?” Mom waits for me to respond like my life is being decided on by my response.
I chuckle because it’s all I can do. “She’s great, Mom. But I don’t think she’s for me. Plus, I think she’s got the hots for Mason.”
“She does, doesn’t she?”
I nod.
Mom scrunches up her nose. “Fine, we’ll just keep looking then. Just don’t end up with the other one.”
“The other one?”
“Yeah, you know… the other girl always with Adelyn with the blonde hair and ridiculous chest.”
I want to crack up, but I hold myself back. The way she pronounced ridiculous chest like she’s embarrassed is too much. She’s referring to Orion.
And then I remember the rest of her statement and ask, “Hey, and what’s with all this we business? I have no intention of finding a girlfriend or whatever right now. But if I did, and I love you, Ma, but I wouldn’t need help, thank you very much.” I raise an eyebrow in her direction, making sure she’s heard me loud and clear.
She scoffs. “Well, you’re no fun, are ya? Sheesh.”
I grin, tilting my head. “Where’s the big guy?” I need to divert this conversation to safer grounds. My love life is not something I really want to be discussing with my mother right about now.
She smiles again. “Your father is in the back room resting. You can go see him if you want. He should be up by now.”
I figured he was asleep when I had gotten here. He does that a lot these days.
I walk over to my mother and plant a kiss on the top of her head. “Okay, I’ll go see him and be back before I head out.”
I head over to the doorway, and right before I leave, I hear her clearing her throat, letting me know she wants to say something else. I turn to face her.
“Good, then we can continue our conversation later.” She winks at me.
I chuckle to myself and then respond, “Or not,” before heading out into the hallway.
I make my way over to the third floor of the hospital, and once I do, I see Adelyn, but she’s facing the opposite direction, looking into the vending machine.
Damn, she’s fucking sexy as hell.
She’s got the most beautiful figure wrapped up in skin-tight light denim blue jeans. They hug her ass cheeks so well, but dammit if I wouldn’t love to be the one doing all the hugging.
Wait. What the fuck am I saying? I need to get a grip and think of something else.
I shake my head and look the other way, but in an instant, my gaze incessantly goes back to her. Damn.
I inch my way closer to her and hope to God I say something useful when I reach her.
“Hey, Ad.”
Way to go, Maddox. You nailed it.
Can I fucking facepalm myself right now?
She spins around and greets me with a small smile. Fuck if she isn’t the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. Her lips are painted with a light pink hue matching her blouse. Her hair is wavy and pulled into a half up do. “Hey, stranger. How’s it going?”
I shrug. “Same old, same old. How’s it going over here
? Any news?”
She shakes her head with a small frown. “Nope. Everything is still the same as before. I just came to grab something to snack on, but I’m thinking coffee might be a better bet.”
We begin walking toward the waiting area.
I nod. “Can’t go wrong with that.”
She smirks and tucks a loose strand of hair behind her ear, then leans against the entrance of the waiting area. “I need the caffeine. I didn’t get much sleep last night.” She looks away, and I can’t help but notice that her smile has faded and she’s got that same far off look she had before.
“Damn, I’m sorry.”
She closes her eyes and then opens them again, looking at me. “Today was supposed to be the day.”
The day? Why is she saying it like that? What day?
Wait, what’s today’s date? March twenty-fourth? No, that was Thursday… today is Saturday, March twenty-s…
Oh, shit. March twenty-sixth. Their wedding date.
As the realization hits me, I know she sees it on my face. She lets out a soft chuckle and the tears well up in her eyes. It’s been a few days since I’ve seen her on the brink of tears, but here she is yet again.
How can I blame her?
“Can you believe this, Maddox? We were supposed to be getting ready for our wedding today… instead, here we are at the fucking hospital, not knowing when he’s going to come back to us. I can’t take not knowing anymore… it’s slowly killing me.”
The tears finally fall down the side of her cheek and it breaks my heart to see her like this. How can I help her? How can I make this all right? There’s nothing I can do or say to fix anything. I’ve come to realize that over the past few weeks and it sucks. When you’re used to helping people all the time and being there for them, when things are out of your control and there’s nothing you can do to fix things, it makes you feel helpless and useless, and all the fucking “-less” words you can think of. And frankly, it sucks.
Before I can think of anything else to say, I do the only thing that I can think of, the only way I know of comforting her right now. “Ad… come here,” I say, embracing her in my arms.