“Okay, baby,” I said softly. “Let’s go.”
I didn’t need to see his eyes to know he liked that endearment. His smile said it all.
We all managed to finally make it inside, leaving the chaos behind us, and when I spotted Declan, Killian, and Mace, they were already staring at me.
“Hey.” I offered a small wave, the sight of each of them like a stab to the gut. They looked like they hadn’t slept in days. And Mace appeared to already be drunk by the way he slurred, “Hey there, baby mama.”
I moved away from Garrett and embraced them, hoping to offer at least a little bit of comfort. Surprisinglyenough, each one of them returned my hug with force, holding on like they needed to receive it just as much as I needed to give it. I tried my best to ignore the lingering smell of whisky on Mace’s clothes before moving back and taking my guy’s hand, but I couldn’t help but worry. “I’m here if any of you need me, okay? Anything at all, you just let me know.”
“We’re good,” Declan responded, offering me a grin. It was small, barely there, but it still managed to reach his eyes. “Just take care of our brother.”
I nodded, feeling that statement down to my bones. I wanted them to know that was exactly what I planned to do, and by the chin tilt I got from Declan, I think I made it clear.
“I can’t believe you’re here,” Garrett said, leaning in so close his breath whispered against my skin.
I tipped my head back and lifted my hand, removing the sunglasses that obscured his eyes from me. “I should have been here all along,” I admitted. “I screwed up. I made a mess of everything and I’m so, so sorry about that. There are so many things I need to apologize for, but we can talk about that later. Right now, I just want to be here for you.”
He squeezed his eyes closed and dropped his forehead to mine as his free hand came up to wrap around the nape of my neck. I let out a pained gasp at the uncomfortable sting his touch caused.
He shot up and looked me straight in the eye. “What’s wrong? Are you hurt?”
Before I had a chance to answer, he was spinning me in place and moving my hair over one shoulder, uncovering the white bandage on the back of my neck. “Gwen, what did you do?”
My body tingled all over as he slowly removed the bandage to reveal what I’d done during the little detour after my flight.I heard the sharp intake of his breath as he read the words I’d had permanently inked on the skin at the base of my neck.
I am his and he is mine.
I inhaled through my nose, willing my knees not to buckle as I turned to face him. “You’re permanent,” I whispered, his face going blurry through the tears filling my eyes. “I just… needed you to know that.”
“Fuck,” he hissed, shoving his face into my neck. “I’d give my soul to be anywhere else with you right now.” His arms banded around me, gripping so tight it was hard to breathe. “I don’t know if I can do this.”
I looped my arms around his shoulders and held on just as tightly. “I’m with you, Garrett.” My voice cracked on that promise. I knew I’d made that exact same promise before, and I’d broken it when I broke us, but I needed him to believe me this time. “I’m not going anywhere. If it gets to be too much, just squeeze my hand, because I’ll be holding on the entire time.”
He stood to his full height, staring down at me with so much love and sadness. “Promise?”
“I swear on my life,” I answered fiercely. “I’m not letting you go.”
And I didn’t, not once. I stayed by his side, holding his hand while he grieved the loss of someone he loved.
I just hoped it was enough.
THIRTY
I staredat my reflection in the mirror as I inhaled deeply through my nose and blew it out past my lips.
The service was done, and a small group of the closest friends and family had gone back to Will’s parents’ house after the burial. I stuck close the entire time, trying to keep my finger on the pulse of Garrett’s mood. For the most part, he was silent, but there were times when his hand would squeeze mine, and I knew he was reminding himself that I was there. I’d only just left his side for the first time minutes before, needing to use the restroom and take a breather to get my head on straight. Spending the whole first half of my day at a funeral had brought up unpleasantness that I needed to get control of.
I wanted all my focus to be on soothing Garrett, and I couldn’t do that while being bombarded with memories of my own loss. I pulled in one last breath and twisted the knob on the sink before holding my wrists under the cold water. I’d just started feeling better when the door swung open, giving me a start.
“Oh shit. Sorry. I didn’t realize anyone was in here.” I caught the reflection of the woman I’d briefly metearlier in the day, Will’s sister, Lyla. She looked to be about my age, with sun-streaked blonde hair and red-rimmed amber eyes. She was stunningly beautiful, even though her face was a pale mask of heartache and despair that I was all too familiar with.
“No, it’s fine. I was finished anyway,” I said quickly before she had a chance to leave. I dried my hands on the small towel hanging next to the vanity and turned to smile. “All yours.”
Her smile was sad and looked painfully fake. “You’re Gwen, right? Garrett’s girlfriend?”
That statement gave me pause. “Well, Garrett’s… something. I’m not quite sure what you’d call us.”
“Oh.” Her forehead wrinkled in confusion. “I just assumed with how close you two looked—”
