Page 105 of Long Story Short

My grip tightens around his hand as I lean in closer, bringing my forehead to my grandfather’s. “You don’t get to leave me,” I get out, my voice shaking. “Do you hear me?”

He doesn’t answer.

I can’t help it. A sob escapes me. My shoulders shake as everything I’ve desperately been trying to hold together finally slips. “I should’ve been here with him,” I rush to get out through my tears. “He was all alone. Scared. I should’ve⁠—”

“Josie.” Tyson’s voice is firm, but not harsh, just enough to pull me back.

His hand moves from my back to my arm, turning me slightly so I have to look at him. “There’s no way he could’ve known this would happen. He wasn’t alone. Beatrice is outside and has been with him the entire time. You’re here now, and that’s what matters.”

My entire body trembles as the tears keep coming.

“What if something’s really wrong? What if he doesn’t wake up?”

His eyes soften as he keeps his gaze pinned on mine. “We’re going to take it one step at a time.”

I nod, trying to let his words reassure me, but the fear of what’s going to happen to my grandfather doesn’t go away.

Tyson’s hand stays on my skin as I turn back to Pop. My fingers brush over the back of his wrinkled hand, memorizing the feel of it. Needing to feel his touch. “Please wake up,” I beg. “Please be okay, Pop.”

The machines continue to beep around me, and it’s just another reminder of where we are. Where he ended up.

For the first time, I realize just how close I am to losing him.

The thought hits me hard, because if I can lose Pop—the man who matters most to me in the world and the one family I have left—then I can lose anyone.

I can lose everyone.

My chest aches at the realization.

Because there’s someone else in my life now who I don’t want to lose. Someone I didn’t expect or plan for.

Someone standing right next to me.

My fingers tighten around Pop’s hand as I glance back at Tyson. His gaze is already on me, concern and affection written all over his face.

He’s here. For me. With me. And he might be the only thing keeping me together right now.

I don’t think I could do this alone, and because of him, for the first time in my life…I don’t want to do it alone. I want him by my side. I’m okay with needing him here.

As if he can read my mind, Tyson leans forward and presses his lips to my temple. “I’m here, Josie. I’m here with you.”

He has no idea how much those words go straight to my heart. How much I needed to hear them. How much I need him.

FORTY-EIGHT

TYSON

I don’t know how long Josie’s been standing next to her grandfather’s bedside. She holds his hand, her thumb brushing over his skin like if she just keeps touching him, he’ll wake up. Like she can will it to happen. Her body shakes with her cries, and it’s the most heartbreaking thing in the world to stand next to her and not be able to take away the pain.

I stay a step behind her, keeping a constant touch on her so she knows I’m here. I don’t want to go far. I want to stay close. Just in case she falls. Because with the way her body shakes, she might.

Josie’s entire body looks tense. Every few seconds, it looks like her grip tightens on him, like she’s trying to hold on to something that’s already slipping.

I hate how quiet it is in here. It does nothing to hide the sound of her sobs.

And I hate that I have to stand here, unable to help her. The only thing I can do is be a grounding presence, but it doesn’t feel like enough.

She stares at her grandfather with a devastated look on her face, and it crushes me.