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His dark ink peeking from the pale blue gown he’s dressed in, winding down his biceps, curling up his collarbone.
And Jet’s pale face resting on the pillow, his jaw swollen.
I don’t know what to do with myself. I’ve never been so terrified in my whole damn life. Finding out Jet was in danger sure put everything in perspective. Imagining the future without him, and without Candy, was a suckerpunch to the chest.
Candy is stroking Jet’s hair, and I want to do the same, but instead I shove my hands into my pockets and stand there, looking on.
My blood is rushing too fast in my veins. My pulse is racing. I’m filled with restless anger at everything and everyone that hurt Jet. I want to punch a hole through the wall of the hospital. I want to kill his crazy father.
I shift restlessly from foot to foot.
Then Jet’s lashes lift. He murmurs something, and Candy lifts the mask off his face. She kisses his mouth, a soft, quick kiss, strokes his hair off his brow.
He gives her a small, groggy smile, then painfully turns his head, as if looking for something, or someone. One eye can barely open, but that doesn’t stop him.
My chest feels too small. I rub a hand over it as he scans his surroundings. His gaze lands on me, and even drugged to the gills, he smiles for me.
Oh, to hell with this. I approach the bed in two swift strides and sink down on the hard mattress, careful not to jostle him too much, then I put my hand on his face and kiss him full on the lips.
Shock is written all over his face when I lift my head. “J.”
His voice is hoarse and rough like sandpaper, but it’s the best sound in the world.
“I’m so sorry I ran. I’m never running again, Jet. I promise you that.” I push the hair from his eyes, trace the bruises. “I’m done with running. I’m staying with you and Candy.” Sudden doubt assaults me. “If you still want me to stick around.”
“Yes.” He swallows, licks his dry lips, his eyes warm and wet. “Idiot.”
I laugh, my eyes stinging. I can’t remember the last time I cried. Must have been a kid. The wetness on my cheeks is disconcerting. “I love you, Jet.”
/> “Me too,” he whispers, and I’m startled to find tears on his cheeks, too.
“You…” I don’t know what to do with all these feelings, dammit. “Don’t ever fucking scare me like that again, or I’ll string you up by your balls, you hear me?”
Candy snorts, and I gesture for her to come to me. She walks around the bed, and I pull her in front of me, between myself and Jet.
“Tell him,” I say, wrapping an arm around her middle, kissing her neck. “Tell him.”
“We love you, Jet,” she whispers. “So much.”
His throat works. “I…” He obviously can’t find a reply to that.
“Sh.” She puts a finger to his lips. “It’s okay.”
“I left the store,” he rasps. “Without you. I told Donna.”
“Told her what?” I ask, baffled.
“That he never finished school,” Candy replies for him. “That’s why you left? I thought… Never mind what I thought. Oh, Jet…”
“Explain.” I frown at them.
“We lied to her about it. I’ll talk to her, Jet.” She strokes his cheek. “Don’t worry about that. I’ll explain. She’ll take you back. Focus on getting well, and everything will be okay.”
He says nothing, and after a moment he dozes off, his face going slack.
Candy adjusts the covers over his chest. “We should let him sleep,” she says, her voice hushed and wavering.
I tug her to her feet, enfold her in my arms and we go out, leaning against each other, leaving a part of ourselves on that bed. Leaving him alone.
