“It’s simple, Tillie, we’re done. I don’t want you anymore. Now go! Get out of here. Now.”
She takes a step back, and a small sob escapes her mouth. “You don’t mean that. You’re just high on painkillers.”
“They haven’t given me any, and I’m seeing the clearest I have in months. This isn’t a joke.Get. Out!”
She steps back so harshly that she bumps into a tray, and the instruments fall to the floor. She turns and rushes out.
My stomach twists as my chest tightens, knowing I’ve just ended a really good thing.
But it’s for the best…
Isn’t it?
TILLIE
With my heart shattering into a million pieces, I rush out of Ryan’s room. Tears gush down my face as I scurry through the maze of the emergency department.
This morning, we were happy. We were in love.What the hell changed?
“Tillie?” Danger’s voice echoes down the hall behind me.
I stop and turn, waiting for him to catch up to me, even though I’m a sobbing mess. He grabs me, pulling me in for a hug, and I fall into his grasp, hugging back, needing comfort.
My heart is breaking, and I see no logical reason as to why it should be. “I don’t understand?”
Danger pulls back, looking at me, and sighs. “I do. But it’s not your fault, Tillie, just know that.”
“But why? Is he mad ’cause I fell on him and hurt his liver again?”
Danger shakes his head. “No. Car accidents are a sore point for Ryan. It brings back bad memories. I think he’s shutting you out rather than dealing with the memories. Don’t worry. I’m going to try to sort him out. He needs to see sense in this, or he’s going to waste away. I won’t let that happen again.”
“Should I stay away from work?” I ask through a sniff.
He shakes his head. “No. He needs to see you, to know you’re not giving up on him.”
Sighing, I swallow hard. “Okay, just take care of him at the house.”
“I will, don’t worry. And, Tillie, I’ll work on getting him to tell you everything.”
“That would be nice.”
“For now, go home, try to get some sleep and rest. You’ve had a massive day.”
“Thanks, Danger.” I hug him once more and turn, walking out of the hospital, feeling completely lost and out of reality.
Heading for a cab, I slide into the back seat and tell the driver where to take me. The entire ride home, I’m numb. I have no idea what’s going on with Ryan. I wish he had the balls to tell me. I feel like there’s this huge secret he’s keeping from me, and there is this side to him I know absolutely nothing about. It makes me question whether I even know him at all.
When I arrive home, it feels empty. Piper isn’t here, nor is Hunter. They’re still at Roxie’s, and with my cell still at Ryan’s house, I can’t call Roxie to bring them over. I was using Ryan’s cell at the hospital to call everyone.
So not only am I now single, I’m entirely alone.
As I curl up in bed, lonely and emotional, I cuddle into my pillow, letting silent tears fall into the crisp white fabric as I let myself wallow for the night.
Chapter Twenty-Five
RYAN
“What the actual fuck, dude?” Danger asks as he comes in to take me home after a sleepless night in a hospital room.
