“That’s a beautiful idea, sweetie.” Claire slips an arm around Tessa’s shoulders, giving her a quick hug. “I’m going to go do my rounds. I’ll be back soon. Hunter, I’m assuming you’ll be staying?”
I nod, not taking my eyes away from Madison. Waiting. Hoping. For her lashes to move. For her fingers to twitch in mine.
One by one, everyone shares a memory with her. Sarah goes first, recalling their first girls’ night together and the terrible karaoke with animal face masks—Tessa and Halle snicker at the memory. Connor fumbles through five different memories, unable to settle on one, before Asher sighs and, without warning, hangs up on them. I can’t help the corner of my mouth twitching.
Jace follows, remembering the time his parents and Claire tried to set them up on a date fresh out of high school, and they both mock-gagged and laughed in their faces.
Then Asher leans in, grinning. “Madi, please wake up so I’ve got someone to steal muffins from.”
I shake my head, laughing quietly at him as the guys step out, giving the girls some space.
Halle moves closer to Tessa, taking her hand and holding it tight.
“Hey, Madi girl. It’s Halle. Remember that time when you dared me to get on the bar and dance? I hit you back with a double dare, and Connor laughed at us, saying we were too chicken to do it. You went all in, though, and I had to follow, of course.” Her thumb rubs over Tessa’s knuckles as she keeps talking. “We ended up dancing like maniacs. I almost slipped, and you caught me.”
Her smile wobbles. “I think half the bar was cheering, and the other half was pretending they didn’t know us. It was one of the first times I did something without overthinking it…” Her voice trails off as she smiles sadly at Madison.
For the first time since Madison fell, it feels like we have enough strength and hope between us to pull her toward us, instead of waiting for her to come back on her own.
A single tear slips down Tessa’s cheek. She scrubs at it quickly, puffing out a breath like she refuses to let it win.
“Hey, sweet stuff. It’s Tessa.” Her lips twitch, that familiar bite of sarcasm slipping through. “You know, it’s actually pretty rude of you to fall off a cliff. I mean, did youhaveto? You could’ve at least gone a little higher up and jumped from the lookout like a normal person.” She tilts her head, eyes shining. “Always stealing the spotlight.”
Quiet laughter moves through the room. My thumb strokes over Madison’s hand.
“Remember when we came back from summer holidays and started our junior year?” she continues. “I’d spent so much time in the sun, my hair turned this awful red, and the girls at school that first week back wouldnotlet it go.” She shrugs, like it doesn’t matter. “I pretended I didn’t care, but you knew. You always knew.”
My fingers tighten around Madison’s hand.
“The first party of the school year—Sabrina’s—you showed up with ketchup. Actual ketchup.” Tessa lets out a huff of laughter. “You dumped it straight over their heads and said, ‘Now who’s the redhead?’ Then you smiled that don’t-fuck-with-us smile, linked arms with me, and walked away.”
The image flashes through my mind so clearly, and Ismile at my girl. She’s never afraid to be loud for the people she loves.
“They never said another word after that,” Tessa says, her voice going quiet. “We went on to have the best year. You’ve always had my back. We’ve been doing this life together for so long, I can’t imagine it without you.”
Her voice cracks on the last part.
“Please wake up.”
Silence settles over the room, thick and heavy. I rub my thumb once more over Madison’s knuckles before carefully letting her hand go. Standing, I circle the bed and pull the girls into quick hugs.
“Call me if you need anything,” Halle says as they turn to leave.
My nerves flare when the door clicks shut.
I spin and take in the room. The lightness—the hope that filled the space moments ago—drifts away, leaving the air heavier. I take in a shuddering breath and sink back into the chair. My hand reaches into my bag, fingers closing around the envelope tucked into the front pocket, and I pull it free. Tapping it against my palm, I tip my head back and close my eyes.
This is the last one.
I couldn’t do it without her.
Hunter,
It’s time. I can’t do this anymore.
I don’t feel anything. I don’t want to keep fighting. I don’t want to.
This isn’t your fault. None of it ever was. It was a series of choices I made, and I will forever be sorry. To you. To Halle. I’ll never forgive myself for makingthe two of you live this life. You’ll be better without me. Life will be easier. Find your sister, bring her home to you.
