The room clears out, leaving distraught Maddie. “Hey, Peach.” She smirks as a tear rolls down her cheek.
“Hey, handsome.” More tears follow as she takes in my new face.
“It’s okay. Honestly, I’m doing better physically than I am mentally.” I pause, taking a few breaths. “It was time for Grant to be caught. I had to do it while Spencer and Scarlett were out; I didn’t want them in harm's way. But it seems I’ve put them in there anyway.” Her eyebrow furrows as concern creases her forehead. “There is so much I want to say, but–” I take another breath, because fuck this is painful. “I'm hurting.” My face is on fire, and my ribs seize up every time I try to breathe in for air.
“Let’s talk tomorrow or whenever you're ready. I want to hear it all, Levi. The thought of never hearing you or feeling your touch was excruciating. I’m happy with sitting here listening to you breathe; that in itself is everything. Just be with me. That’s all I want, Levi.”She is incredible.
“Perfect, Peach. You are perfect. Let’s just be.”
Chapter 54
Extended Stay
Scarlett
My heart was in shambles. First, I left Levi in that hospital as instructed. Yet, I find myself questioning, if the roles were reversed, would he have left me? On the way home, I texted him three times. Is that absurd? Probably. Will that stop me from texting him three more times? No. The truth is, it was rarely the case. There are six messages left that have been delivered but never read.
Second, I have to walk into this house, the house where my brother nearly lost his life.
Guilt.
Guilt is an intense emotion. Guilt clings to you for dear life, no matter how hard you try to shake it off. It's regret, shame, disgrace, and it’s all holding on, weighing me down as I walk through the doors of our house.
Regret for being out, shame for not saving Levi, as he has saved me.
Disgrace for having fun and enjoying myself, all while he was being broken and beaten.
Guilt for not killing Grant. All of it hits me like a brickhouse; stuck under it, like the wicked witch, as it crushes me from the outside in.
My heart beats like I've run a marathon. Spencer opens the door, leading the way. He turns to me, stopping before we enter fully. “My parents are just inside. They’ve been cleaning the house.” Relief washes over me, one less thing to witness, the carnage that happened before the fight.
Stepping through the door, I hold tightly onto Spencer’s hand, his true lifeline, as he guides me into the kitchen, where Anna and David stand. “Hello, sweetheart.” Anna rushes over, pulling me into a warm embrace. “Don’t worry, sweetie. David and I will help you navigate this. Levi is safe and strong; his bones will heal. Why don’t you and Spencer run up and gather some clothes, then we will go home, and tackle throwing Grant’s belongings away tomorrow.” I squeeze her harder, because without her, where would we be without their love and sacrifice?
My eyes move to David. The man who saved my brother.A kind grown man. Releasing my grasp of Anna, I dart over to David. Throwing myself in his arms, wrapping myself around hismuscular stomach, and I squeeze him. With my racing heart, I hold on as I cry into his navy-blue cotton shirt. I hug him for saving my brother, and I squeeze him for saving our lives. I love him for loving us, for doing something no one else has ever done, protect us.
David wraps his large arms around my small frame, only making me sob harder. A soft touch, from a father, who knew? Who knew being loved right could feel so extraordinary? My hands grab onto his shirt as it wrinkles underneath my grasp, holding onto him, silently begging him never to leave, to keep us. His hand rubs my back, letting me feel every emotion that rips through my body.
“It’s okay, honey. Let it out.” With his soft-spoken words, he holds me tighter. Allowing me to fall onto my weak knees.Please don’t leave us, please, please keep us.
“Th–thank you. For sa—saving us,” Stuttering between my cries, I try to compose myself, now that I have completely drenched his navy-blue shirt, turning it dark blue.
He releases his hold, looking down into my now red eyes. “I would save you both a million times over, and I’ll never stop. You are family, and we look out for family. We love you both, endlessly.” With his words, tears fall again, as I feel the love he so preciously gives me.
Blowing out a long breath, my eyes bounce between everyone around me. Anna with tear-filled eyes, Spencer with wet streaks down his cheeks, and David with a smile. “I never thought it was possible to be loved endlessly, or at all. Thank you for not only saving us but also loving us and for cleaning this mess. I don’t know how to repay you.” Looking around at the clean house, wondering what it looked like hours ago.
Spencer walks up, hugging me tightly. “No need to repay us, Scar. Just love us back, baby.” He steals my lips in front of his parents, but honestly, I don’t care, because I steal his right back.
Spencer takes my hand, leading me to my room, where we need to pack clothes for my extended stay at the Collins’. As I pack, my phone beeps.
Levi
Hey, I'm doing good. They’re going to let Maddie stay with me tonight. She can be VERY persuasive. How is it going over there? You good?
Reading his text, I can feel my lips pulling into a smile. Maddie absolutely can be very persuasive.
Me
I’m glad she’s staying with you. I’m packing now to stay with Spence. I'll be there first thing in the morning.
