Page 189 of Make Me Mean It

His head tries to turn as they lift him, gaze darting around like he’s looking for me, fighting weakly against the hands keeping him still.

“I’m here.”

I’m beside him before anyone can stop me, reaching down and catching his hand.

His fingers close around mine.

I lace them together tightly.

“I’m here, baby,” I breathe, keeping pace beside the stretcher, and something inside my chest cracks wide open when his eyes finally find mine.

He looks fucking scared.

Theo.

My reckless, stupid, impossible Theo, who laughs when people hit him and acts like nothing in the world can touch him.

Scared.

“Not a dream?” he slurs.

A sob tears out of me on something dangerously close to a laugh.

I shake my head, tightening my fingers around his.

“No.” I lean closer, making sure he can see me. “Still not a dream.”