by Eden O'Neill
This couldn’t be helped considering the situation with my mom, and I watched Greer leave the room, the back of her bib coveralls dirty from when those fuckers had tackled her to the ground. I should go to county lock up myself and finish the job I’d started on those ass wipes who’d attacked her. Thank God she’d been able to hold her own until I got there. She returned to the room with a first aid kit, pulling back her silky blond hair as she got on her knees on the carpet before me. I wanted to touch it, touch her as she pulled rubbing alcohol out of the kit and cotton balls.
She frowned. “Did you know those guys were going to attack me tonight?”
A curse left my lips when she dabbed my knuckles. My jaw moved. “Why would you think that?”
Silence as she touched me with alcohol again, and once clean, she smoothed some ointment on the knuckles. She pressed gauze to my hand after that, wrapping the whole thing with medical tape she tore free with her teeth. She shrugged. “I mean, you texted me right before those guys came.”
“So?”
Her frown deepened. “So it’s weird. You told me to wait for you, that you were coming like you knew something was going to happen.”
More silence as she wrapped my hand, and pride was a real fucking thing. I didn’t want to tell her the truth, hell all my truths. But in the end, I guess she deserved it. In fact, she deserved so much more than I’d given her in the past and probably could ever give. I worked my fingers bound with tape. “I was tipped off that a couple of guys were coming after you. Paid to do so by my grandpa.”
Her eyebrows jumped. “What?”
How long and fucked up the story was. I sighed, scrubbing my burning fingers through my hair. “My grandpa went to the frat looking for volunteers. Those guys, Garret and Hunter, I knew. They’re pieces of shit no one likes and willing to do pretty much anything for a buck and some entertainment for the night. Some of the other guys at the frat obviously knew about the coup since Grandfather poked around asking for someone to mess with you. The guys called me up, let me know about it. Apparently, Garret and Hunter were just supposed to handle you, scare you, but knowing those fuckers, I highly doubt that’s all they’d stop at.”
Absolute horror behind Greer’s eyes, her swallow hard. “Why would your grandpa do that? Why would he send people after me?”
And so the truth came out, all of it. Still livid, my body visibly shook. “Because you were right. You were right about fucking everything.” I breathed harshly into my hands, and Greer joined me on the couch.
“Right?” She touched my shoulder, and I faced her.
“My grandpa was keeping my mom in that coma,” I said, her mouth parting. “He was keeping her asleep and has been for twelve years. She woke up eight days after her accident, Greer. Eight fucking days.”
“What the fuck?”
Nodding, I stared away. “He said she was trying to take me away from him after my dad died, that he was trying to protect me because my mom was a whore. I guess my dad married an escort and Gramps didn’t like that. He didn’t think she could be a parent after my dad died.”
She covered her face with her hands, gasping. “Oh, Knight.”
“I’ve spent the last few days just trying to get her out of his care, but he hasn’t made it easy. There’s all this red tape I didn’t know about, legal shit, and I’m trying to work my way through it, but she’s still in that goddamn nursing home. He has power of attorney over her and her care.” I didn’t know if I’d ever get her out, if I could save her or even if she could be saved. Now that my grandpa knew that I knew, he may kill her. Finish the job he’d started before I got a chance to get her. I looked at Greer. “When I found out about all this, I mentioned your name. It fucking slipped about you being right about all this, and though my grandpa obviously didn’t remember you when he’d seen you those handful of times, he asked around. He found out you went to Pembroke. He found out you came with me to the nursing home. Your name was on the damn sign-in sheet.”
She shook beside me, staring off, and her lips trembled as she looked at me. “So he sent someone after me?”
“Probably because in his sick, fucked up way, he believed he was protecting me. Protecting me from you and all the chaos you bring.” I covered my face. “Thank God he hadn’t found out you’d been there that night with Bryce. A loose end he’d have to shut down.”
Because he would have wiped her way, done so just to prove a point. That Greer Michaelson was trouble, trouble I needed to stay away from. True, chaos accompanied her whenever she seemed to be in my life, but that wasn’t her fault. She was a victim, always the victim, and I’d made that so fucking worse for her in the past it made me sick. I’d hurt her. Hurt her so many times and still continued to do it. My grandpa just shy of put a hit out on her head tonight, and if she hadn’t been able to hold her own…
I didn’t even want to think about it, maddened to the point of insanity. Small hands made their way around my bicep, tugging at me, and I realized how clamped up I was.
She touched my face. “He’s why you threatened me.” That realization she discovered now too, cringing with damp eyes. “Oh my God, Knight.”
I brought chaos into this girl’s life, none of it deserved. I shook my head. “I fucked up, Greer. I fucked up, and I hurt you.”
“No—”
I removed her hands. “I fucking did, and I don’t even have the words. All that terrible shit I did to you…”
Her hands touched me again, and I didn’t fucking deserve it, none of this. She should run the far fuck away, who I was a monster just like every other demon that plagued the town I came from. I could add my grandpa to that list now, a true devil in sheep’s clothing. He may have had his own reasons, but the end far from hell justified the means. He was just as cruel, just as sick as everyone else.
Greer’s fingers curled against my jaw, and I actually shuddered, taking her hand. I kissed it. “I’m so fucking sorry.”
“Just stop. Stop, okay? Look at me.”
I did, cringing. “How can you even look at me right now?” Because she was and not in the terror she should. There was so much sympathy in her eyes, empathy even. She was being understanding when she fucking shouldn’t.
She let go of me after that, but only to jerk her pant leg above her ankle. On her pale skin was a scar, the gruesome remains of a bite mark in a location I was well aware of. Old Man Peabody’s dog had bitten her there, another way I’d failed her. I let her get fucking bitten that day. I should have taken care of that dog sooner.
“I have to admit,” she said, chewing her lip a little. “Back then, I didn’t understand. It’s still hard for me.” She let go and touched my jaw. “But now, I need to.”
Her mouth touched mine, and I couldn’t breathe, my arm gripping around her and bringing her close. She shouldn’t let me kiss her. She shouldn’t let me have any of this, but I pulled her into my lap, teasing her mouth open with my tongue.
She sighed as her arms fell around me, her heat giving my body life. My phone rang, and I wanted to ignore it, to have this and not let her go, but I knew I couldn’t.
I eased her away. “It might be my lawyers about my mom,” I said, pulling it out. “They’re trying to get me through all this red tape with my grandpa.”
They were trying to get me her, and not only did Greer understand that, she waited for me to look at my phone. I saw Nigel, my grandpa’s driver, and was instantly livid. My nostril’s flared.
Greer frowned. “Who is it?”
“My grandpa’s driver,” I said before taking a breath and swiping to take the call. “Nigel, you can tell my grandpa—”
“I’m at the hospital with him, sir.”
I sat up. “Hospital?”
Greer looked at me, frowning again. She moved closer, but I didn’t move, the phone firmly planted against my ear.
“Yes, sir,” Nigel continued, his voice gruff, strained. “And I wish I could bring you better news, but…”
I heard
the pumping blood in my ears, my eyes staring at nothing but everything as I waited for him to speak. He did, and I just about allowed the phone to leave my hand.
“You know how his heart was,” he continued, emotion in the man’s voice. “I got him here quick, sir, but… it was just too late.”
“Knight, what’s going on?”
I faced Greer, Nigel still speaking to me. I could say nothing to her. I could say nothing to him. He was telling me my grandpa had died.
He was telling me my grandpa had had a heart attack.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Greer
Life had a way of handing us things beyond our control sometimes, and in Knight’s case, that ended up being what allowed Knight’s mom to both be taken and returned to him in the end. A lot of that red tape his grandpa put him through to keep his mom away ended up dissolving, though tragically considering the circumstances. His grandpa had fought him to the end, and that may have been the very thing that had triggered his heart attack, something Knight not only dealt with but had been the bigger person in the end. He handled all the arrangements, was there for his grandpa even in death and even with divided attention. His mom was priority now that he’d finally gained power of attorney over her, but even still, he gave his grandpa a proper send off.
Like I said, way bigger than probably most would have been.
His grandpa’s “protection” had been under the form of pain and suffering, a heavy hand, and Knight not only rose above it, but did all he could to correct. His mom was out of that nursing home the next day, flown up state for the best care and his doctors. He took care of her, was by her side even while balancing school and his grandpa’s funeral. He got everything done, and when she ultimately woke up, came back from a twelve-year coma, he was by her bedside again. She couldn’t speak, of course. It wasn’t like in the movies where someone got up, love in their eyes as they embraced the family who’d long been waiting for their return. The process was tragically slow, an eye blink, some finger movement, and mumbled words. The doctors said it’d take weeks, months, or maybe even years of therapy, and she still may not return to who she used to be. But even still, Knight didn’t give up hope. Even still, he was there.
And I was too.
I was at lunch when I got Knight’s text that day and dropped everything the minute I saw it. It said three words.
Knight: She’s coming home.
I’d known this was a possibility today since he’d gone to see her, and after telling him how excited I was for him, he’d said he’d send a car to pick me up after my last class. He wanted me there, there with him when his mom returned home. Needless to say, I was more than excited and honored that he trusted me enough to be there for him. Things with his mom had been tumultuous to say the least, slow, but I’d been there. I’d been there too when she’d first opened her eyes, by his side and taking in the world. His mom hadn’t recognized him, of course, and from what I understood, he hadn’t told her. Everything was so new for her, still very slow. Knight and her doctors were taking things day by day, but still, she must have been doing well enough in her therapy for them to green-light her return home. This was a really happy day, and I was so excited for him.
Knight sent a town car to come get me after my final class of the day, and after going back to my dorm to get an overnight bag, I climbed in for my ride. My roommates wished me luck before. They all knew the situation and I was happy for their support. Especially Haley who not only stepped back from the situation with Knight but had shared the most support. I had such good friends and roommates and knew how lucky I was.
In the town car, I gazed out onto the road. I was going back to Maywood Heights today, Knight’s hometown and where his grandpa’s estate was. The estate had been in their family for generations, a place I once lived too for a short time. I was kind of nervous to be going back there, but the circumstances were way different than those final days when his grandpa had fired my mom. I knew all the facts now, the background, and was not only overwhelmed by it but by who Knight was. He’d been protecting me since we were kids, and I couldn’t help smiling when I thought about my boyfriend.
Oh, yeah. That was new as well, so many things changing. Through all this, Knight and I came back to each other, so different from how we’d both begun. Even when we’d been kids. He was so much gentler now, his experience with his mom only helping.
I texted him during the duration of the ride to Maywood Heights, asking him for updates. He couldn’t give me much, just that she was home and laying down but simply hearing from him made my heart soar.
Knight: I’m so glad you’re coming. You don’t even know.
So different than how he was, but then again. I think I was different too. I was stronger, changed in the best way. I texted Knight how close I was, and as we pulled past that welcome sign greeting me into the town of Maywood Heights, I got a buzz in my pocket from Mom.
Mom: Wish Knight and his mom luck for us. Ben and I are thinking about you both. Love you!
Mom and Ben, of course, knew everything too, and once more, Mom was that supportive rock I loved. Knight corrected everything with them, speaking to the school personally about their jobs. I didn’t know exactly what all the talks entailed, but Mom and Ben had their jobs back within hours of him reaching out. Knight even apologized to them personally, profusely. Once more, my mom hadn’t shown any feelings of anger or resentment. She was just so kind spirited, always had been. As an extra special apology, Knight sent both Mom and Ben off on a second honeymoon, a cruise to the Caribbean which was where they were currently now. I kept getting pictures and had been too jealous since I was still at school and forced to live vicariously through them and their Facebook photos.
Me: Thank you. I’ll pass that along. Not sure what state his mom is in today, but I’m hopeful.
Mom: We are too. That boy deserves that. He needs his mama.
I’d especially agree if she was anything at all remotely like mine. She’d been there for me my whole life, my rock.
I told them to enjoy the rest of their time on their vacation and after giving me their love, I noticed the car slowing down.
“We’re coming up on Reed Manor, miss,” the driver said, stealing my attention.
Reed Manor, a distant memory in my thoughts, and I leaned forward, peering through the tinted window. Steel gates opened to the wide property of a well-trimmed lawn, rose bushes lining the path toward an exquisite fountain. Just behind was the grand estate Reed Manor and still as beautiful as I remembered as a child. A gray brick castle, Knight’s property sat tucked behind a sea of well-trimmed hedges and flower boxes filled with elegant daisies. The place was literally like a castle out of a storybook, and I spent lots of time hiding in as many places I could find. It’d been fun for me, like a little adventure of my own to explore.
Knight’s driver pulled us up to the doors, and after letting me out, I told him I’d take my own bag to the door. Knight wanted me to stay for the weekend, and since things with classes were going so well, I hadn’t had a problem with that.
I wheeled my bag up to the door and started to knock before it was pulled open, a woman in a white coat and an elegant grin behind it.
“Greer, welcome. Knight and his mom are upstairs. I’ll take you to both of them.”
Recognizing the woman as Dr. Chopra, one of the doctors caring for Knight’s mom, I thanked her and followed. From what I understood, she’d be overseeing his mom for around-the-clock care now that she was home and had been very nice in the times I’d seen her. It’d been a lot. I’d been a frequent visitor during his mom’s rehabilitation process and at Knight’s side whenever I could be.
I kept pace with the doctor, my bag taken by one of the maids of the house. I recognized her too, an older woman who still worked here after my mom and I had left. She said she’d leave it in my room and would show it to me after my visit with the master of the house.
The master of the house turned out to be upstair
s, inside a room facing the sun. Light literally bled upon my shoes once Dr. Chopra opened the door, and the first thing I noticed after the sun was Knight and his mom. It was basically drowning them in it, Knight sitting in an easy chair with his hands folded. He was leaning forward, staring at a woman in bed hooked up to many lines.
“Go ahead,” Dr. Chopra whispered, closing the door behind me when I went inside. I honestly didn’t want to disrupt the peace of this room, but the moment the door closed, dark eyes shifted my way, a gorgeous guy rising from his chair.
“Dove,” fell from Knight’s lips as he crossed the room to me, hard and perfect muscle gripping me into an embrace. He basically picked me up off my feet, my weight nothing for him. “I’m so happy you’re here.”
He kissed me after that, hands in my hair and everything as he pushed it out of my face.
“Your drive okay?” he asked, easing a heavy arm around me, and I nodded, so happy to see him too. The moments I wasn’t with him, I found it hard to breathe, how much really had changed. I think I found myself falling in love with this boy, so hard and damn fast.
I smiled. “I did. How’s she doing?”
Panning, I studied the woman so gorgeous beneath silk sheets. She was hooked up to a lot of monitors, but nothing like when she’d been at the hospital. She actually looked at peace here, her long, dark hair resting on her shoulders.
A smile and Knight tugged me over to her with him. We sat down together by her bedside, his hand still in mine, but I couldn’t help noticing the worry that twisted his brow. This was a recurring expression during this whole process as well.
“She’s sleeping now. Just sleeping.” Leaning forward again, he rubbed my hand between his. “I know it’s dumb, but I can’t stop looking at her. I think a part of me is scared she won’t wake up again.”
He said this shyly like he was ashamed when he shouldn’t be. I mean, the woman had been in a coma for more than half his life. “That’s not dumb. It’s normal. I’d be worried too, but I don’t think you have to be. You have the best doctors now.”