I held my breath as he turned to me again, silent pain etched in his forehead. “This is a time for our family, honey.”
“But Sarah is here. She’s in the bed with him.” The words were bratty and entitled.
Dad narrowed his eyes.
“I don’t understand why he can have his girlfriend here, but I can’t have my boyfriend.”
He took a deep breath. “Because Sarah might lose Peter, too. She’s been a part of his life for a long time.”
“I graduate in three months and can’t bring a boyfriend? Garrett just wants to support me.”
Dad leaned closer, lowering his voice. “Honey, it’s not that. We want what’s best for?—”
“Is there a problem, sir?” Garrett stepped into my bubble with Dad.
Dad’s response was hesitant. “Uh, yeah, Garrett. This is a time for our family. There’s really no reason for you to be here.”
Garrett nodded as his cheek feathered. “With all due respect, Mr. Thompson, I want to be here for your daughter.” Garrett’s fingers tensed on my back. Was he sending me a signal—to say something or defend him? My brain scrambled to find my next move. I’d rehearsed some of what I would say, but the beeping monitors kept distracting me.
My words stammered, “I–If I’m here, Garrett will be here too.”
My soft, sweet Dad set his jaw and squeezed his eyes shut for a brief moment. “To be honest, I’ve got bigger fish to fry than”—he waved his hand in a circle around us—“whatever this is. I don’t want to be arguing when those monitors start beeping.”
He returned to his seat, leaving Garrett and I standing by the door. His fingers dug deeper into my spine as Bea restarted her strumming. He leaned toward my ear and whispered, “If they don’t want me here, I’m not staying.”
I looked up at him, relieved. “Yes, I think it would be best if you just waited. I promise I won’t be long.”
He scoffed. “Are you joking?”
“What? You said?—”
“No, I meant us, Hollie. You’d let them throw me out, and not come with me?”
“No one is throwing you out.”
He shook his head, looking hurt. “You said we were in this together.”
“We are, but my brother is dying, Garrett.”
He gave me a half smile. “I’m sorry. You’re right. I’ll hang by the door. Take a few minutes then we’ll get some dinner.”
A few minutes?
I swallowed down the swell of emotion in my throat as Garrett moved to the door, placing his hand on the knob. My eyes darted to Peter in time to see Sarah straighten his ball cap. With feet like lead, I approached the bed. Sarah reached out her hand to me and I grabbed it.
“Hey, Holls.” Her eyes were red-rimmed and puffy, her nose and lips chapped. “I’m glad you’re here. I can move if you want me to.”
I shook my head. “Stay. You’re fine.”
Awkwardly, I scooped up his limp hand and hovered near the head of the bed. “I love you, Peter.” He turned into a beige and blue swirl as tears rushed into my eyes. A metallic click sounded, and I turned to see Garrett anxiously fiddling with the door handle. Conflict roared in my chest. I wouldn’t be in the situation if it wasn’t for mom. She was so set against us that Dad had to take her side in order to fix their marriage. If it wasn’t for her, I could have Peter, Garrett, and my family. We could all be together.
A hoarse whisper escaped my throat as I leaned forward to remove his hat, pulled down my mask, and kissed the top of his bare head. “Hang on for us. You’ve got so much life ahead of you. I—just don’t go yet, okay?”
I pulled away to see Sarah. She whispered, “You can’t stay?”
“Not right now. I’ll be back.”
Then I retreated into my prison.
