“Or for any other reason, ”Riley calls after me as I make my way to the door, “I’ve still got the M&M’s after all,” he tacks on playfully, and I spin around to see him pop a few into his mouth before his lips pull into a smile that has those damn fae prince canines popping.
“Don’t you dare eat them all, Riley Benjamin,” I threaten, narrowing my eyes at him as he eats another handful, but I’d let him eat the whole bag and never say a damn word against it if that’s what made him happy.
He just smiles around his mouthful, and gone is the trepidation. I do a mental happy dance at the shift in his mood.
But then, he has the audacity to smirk at me. “Then you better hurry back, yeah?”
I blow him a kiss.“Before you know it.”
I leave him to his assessment and follow my brother back to my room, my heart somehow feeling lighter and heavier at the same time. My mind wars with itself because while it’s clear that Riley still craves me in some way, I can’t shake the heavy, sinking feeling in my gut. Good things seem to be a fleeting thing if my life history is anything to go by. I want to cling to the good and never let it go, but then I feel guilty because what if I accidentally smother it? I couldn’t live with myself if I were the catalyst to cause more suffering that Riley doesn’t deserve.
By the time we reach my room, once again, my selfish heart feels so unsettled.
I feel so drained in every way, and I think I’ve reached my limit of overthinking everything for the day.
“I’m gonna text Creed and maybe take a nap until the nurse gets here,” I rasp, shuffling to the bed in defeat.
“I’ll be here, Bug,” he whispers back, offering me a reassuring smile while he settles himself on the couch in the corner of the room.
I open my phone to find that Creed’s created a group chat for the three of us and it makes me smile. I answer his questions and snicker at Creed and Riley’s banter before his meeting starts and the chat goes quiet again. I lay down and close my eyes, but my mind is restless. Asher’s voice cuts through the silence.
“It’ll be okay, Collins. This is just day one in the journey of recovery and healing for all of you. These things take time, and you’ll both have your own moments to work through, but I have every confidence that the three of you will come out of this stronger…and you’ll do it together. Don’t get lost, Bug,” hemurmurs softly, getting up to sit on the other side of the bed next to me. When I turn to face him, tears gather in my eyes at the sincerity bleeding from his words. “Just love them through it. Even on hard days.”
Sorrow grips my heart when I realize his advice comes from a place of yearning. Asher had nobody to help him through his recovery, save for when Creed was there to get him into rehab. But even then, Creed had his career to focus on and couldn’t be there through most of Asher’s recovery. What’s worse, the person he’d chosen as his forever had left him alone. Dani completely abandoned him, and he was forced to fight his demons on his own.
I use Riley’s shirt to swipe at my eyes and meet my brother's gaze as I give him my truth. “You’re a good brother, Ash. I’m glad you’re here.”
He clears his throat and looks away, knowing I don’t just mean here in the hospital with me, buthere. Alive.He didn’t give up all those years ago, and because of it, I still have my brother.
I scoot over just enough to make room for him to sidle up beside me. He tucks me into his side and his hand finds my head, fingers stroking along the top of my hair. It’s so much like he used to do when I was a kid.
“Get some rest,” he says softly, pressing his cheek to the top of my head, lulling me into a state of sleepy tranquility. “I’ll be here when you wake. Creed, too, knowing how that psycho can’t stay away from you for long.”
I fall asleep with a smile on my lips, feeling a little better.
Chapter 17
Creed
“FLETCHER MCGOWAN.”
Turn around.
Creed, turn around.
JUST PULL A FUCKING U-IE AND TURN AROUND, MAN.
“I’m not turning around!” And now I’m yelling…at myself.
I pull into a parking spot at the hotel where Cort Records has reserved a conference room to meet with our new potential manager. Cort himself wasn’t too thrilled about the accommodations, considering all meetings were typically held at the recording studio, but with the state that one of his band members was in, he was willing to bend for this one.
I’m about to fire off texts to Riley and Collins separately to check in on each of them, but then I think better of it and do the rational thing. I create a group chat between the three of us and label it “Cuddle Puddle”.
ME: How are we feeling?
ME: Everything okay?
ME: Do you need anything?
