“Sorry, my man,” Connor says quietly. “Ace was sitting by your door. You know him, always wanting to be near whoever needs it most. Is he okay to sleep in here? If not, I can take him back out, but he’ll probably end up scratching at your door all night.”
“He’s okay. I could… uh, use the comfort,” I say, my voice rough.
“That’s what he’s for. Unless you need me too. Then I call shotgun on being the big spoon.”
A huff of laughter slips out of me, feeling surprisingly easy.
“No spooning,” I say. “But I’ll take your dog.”
“At this stage,” he grumbles, a soft smile playing at his mouth, “I think he’s everyone’s dog. First Asher, then Halle, Remi, and now you.”
“Yeah, but you’re his first daddy.” I smirk.
He chuckles, tapping the doorframe once before easing it shut.
“Hey, Con,” I say, stopping him before the door closes. “I’m… I’m glad you guys are here tonight.”
Connor meets my eyes. Understanding passes between us without words, and he gives a small nod as the door clicks shut.
27
I PROMISE
HUNTER
Me: I’m so sorry.
I stare at the message I sent to Madison until the screen dims and locks itself. My heart hasn’t stopped hammering since the moment I woke this morning. Sliding my phone back into my pocket, I tip my head toward the sky, dragging in a breath of warm air as heat already clings to my skin.
She would have loved the sunrise this morning. All the deep oranges bleeding into yellow, streaking the sky like it’s on fire. She would have made me stand there and watch until the colours faded and the blue took over.
A warm hand brushes my elbow, pulling me back.
“Momma Claire.”
“Hi, Hunter.” Her smile is soft and tired. “You look and smell better.”
A weak chuckle slips from me. “I’m sorry for how I acted yesterday. I was?—”
She shakes her head before I can finish. “You watched the love of your life fall and didn’t know if she was going tosurvive. There’s nothing to be sorry for.” Her gaze sharpens as she looks me up and down. “Are you okay?”
“Honestly?”
She nods.
“No.” The word tumbles out rough and raw. “I’m fucking riddled with worry and guilt. I need her to wake up.” My jaw tightens. “I need the chance to make things right.”
“You’ll get your chance.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because she has you in her corner. Her friends. Everyone in this town. With all our strength and love, she’ll pull through.”
I swallow, fingers tingling as the weight on my chest eases slightly. “Everyone stayed over last night. They, uh… helped me see that, too. That we have to be strong together. I even managed to do something I’ve been avoiding, something that will make her happy.”
“The letters?” Claire raises a knowing brow.
“How did you know about them?”
