“Not tonight. The doc is keeping a close eye on his vitals, but he’s hopeful Brick won’t need to go to the hospital. It was a clean shot, Starlet, didn’t hit any bone or arteries. Thank God.”
I need to see him…
“Here.” Angel places the clothes on the bed. “Brick’s cut and jeans.”
“Thank you.”
“Good night, Starlet.”
“Night.”
I wait until she leaves to grab Brick’s cut and hold it to my chest. His scent envelopes me, his citrus cologne and earthy smell. It brings tears to my eyes, because there’s still a chance this all I’ll have left of him—if he dies.
Ifis a mighty word. One I’m going to try and ignore. Brick isn’t going to die. He’s young and strong and has everything to live for—his patch and me. I lay the cut aside and pick up his jeans. Surprisingly, there’s not much blood on his pants. His wallet is still in the back pocket and I place it on the nightstand. Better check the other pockets, too. I find a diamond engagement ring in the front, which leaves me breathless.
A heart-shaped, one carat diamond set in yellow gold sparkles under the light. It’s beautiful and delicate. I examine the inside of the ring, finding an inscription.Now we’re free.A play on the words I wrote in the note I left him in the hotel room from our first night together.
Everything that means anything to me has always been ripped away. I slip the ring on my finger, it’s a perfect fit. Brick was going to propose to me at the cabin, and I would have said yes without hesitation. I stifle a sob and climb out of bed, kneeling beside the mattress like I used to do as a kid when I was getting ready to pray.
I bow my head and fold my hands. “I know it’s been a long time, God… too long for me to expect you to listen to anything I have to say. But this isn’t really about me, it’s about a little boy who never really had a chance to be happy. I can only guess you let us find each other because you thought Brick… Austin deserved a second chance at happiness. If that’s the case, please—please let him make it through the night. Let him come home to me…”
