“It’s okay,” she assures me, drying her hands on a napkin.She doesn’t even flinch or seem mad.I can only feel concern and the love she projects on everyone and everything she cares for.“You ready?”
I slowly nod, hoping I am not mistaking what I’m picking up from her, that I’m not building up a scenario in my head because it’s what I hope will happen.“Yeah.”
She takes pity on me when I don’t move and reaches for the door, pulling it open.I twist and find Luke watching me with concern.“You good now?”
I take Summer’s hand and glance down at her.“Yeah,” I reply softly.
He doesn’t move from the doorway.He’s watching Summer.“Thank you.For what you’ve done today.What you’ve done for us.”
She lets go of my hand and engulfs my brother in a hug.“You’re welcome.I’m really glad he’s okay.”
I narrow my gaze when his hands fall to the small of her back.I grasp her hips and pull her back.“Okay, that’s long enough.”
They chuckle, and I don’t remember telling a joke.“You’re so fucked,” Luke teases.“This is going to be so much fun.”
I glare at him.“Rule: don’t be a dick when our brother is in hospital.”
He holds his hands up as he turns to walk to the lift we came up in.“Okay.”
I retake Summer’s hand in mine and follow him.I’ve never felt as tired as I do right now.I’ve pulled all-nighters and have worked through the next day without even wanting a nap.If I closed my eyes now, it wouldn’t be a nap.No one would be able to wake me.
When we reach the waiting room, Teagan is there with more of her family members passing out food and drinks.When she tries to hand me a sandwich, I refuse, but Summer doesn’t.She takes one for herself and one for me.I’m grateful she doesn’t force me to eat it because I don’t know whether I could keep it down.
Instead, I space out, watching as people leave and return.Some return lighter than when they left to see Isaac.Some return crying.Jaxon comes back wearing his guilt like armour.He didn’t do this.He didn’t force Isaac to go.He didn’t force any of us.So he doesn’t have a reason to feel guilty.
It’s another thing Andrew Black needs to pay for.I hate that my brother has taken so much responsibility over every bad thing that happens.I loathe the thought that he went into that hospital room and blamed himself.
Isaac isn’t the only one who idolised Jaxon growing up.We all did.
I may not be able to stop Jaxon from taking on all the blame and responsibility, but I can make sure the reason for it is gone.
It’s time Andrew Black dies.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Summer
