“Good. I’ll go and let you get some rest. My phone is on. Call me whenever, any time. I’ll pick you up tomorrow.”
“Call Lily. Tell her I’m sorry when you see her. I’ll tell her myself when I get out of here.”
“I will. I’ll see you soon. I’m going to find her and make sure she’s okay.”
The white walls blurred into an empty tunnel as I headed for the exit. All I wanted to do was go home and be alone to sort my feelings into something I could handle talking about.
Chapter 24
Lily
Hours had passed. I had called and texted Luke several times with no answer. I was getting frantic. It took some time to get someone to secure the door. Then, embarrassingly, I had to have Rose pick me up because I was too short to drive Luke’s truck. I’d locked it up and left it in Liam’s driveway. After Rose and I dropped Rocky off with Jed, I decided to make the drive to the hospital and check on them myself.
I finally made it to Liam’s room and peeked in the doorway. He was lying in bed, his eyes opened and staring at the wall when I stepped through.
His head whipped toward me and his face fell. “Lily. I’m so sorry,” he said softly.
“Liam, there is nothing to be sorry for. I’m just glad you’re still here.” I crossed to him and took his hand. “I don’t know you that well yet, but I know enough to say I would miss you if you were gone.”
He smiled at me. I squeezed his hand.
“Is Luke still around here somewhere? He hasn’t been answering his phone.”
Liam’s eyes showed concern. “No. He didn’t call you? He said he was going to.”
I shook my head.
“Go to him, Lily. Don’t let him push you away.”
I stood straighter. “He won’t push me away. I’m done with that. Any idea where he went?” Liam shook his head. “He said he was going to find you. Try his house.”
I leaned over and kissed his cheek. “You’re not alone, Liam. You’re part of the family. You are Uncle Liam, okay? Don’t forget it,” I whispered.
His head jolted back with surprise, then a small smile lit his face. “I won’t forget. Find our boy,” he murmured.
I nodded, then headed out, driving as quickly as I dared to Luke’s house.
I ran to the front door and pounded on it. No answer.
I tried the doorknob. Locked.
I stepped back to kick it in like Luke had done earlier, then reality struck me. There was no way could I kick in a door. I pounded again, then rang the bell.
“Damn it, Luke, let me in!” I shouted. Still, no answer.I knew he was in there. His truck was in the driveway. He had to have picked it up, then come home.
I stopped for a minute to plan my next move, then remembered that Luke had given me a set of his keys. With shaking hands, I pulled them out of my pocket, found the right one, and let myself in. I rushed through the doorway and frantically looked around. I found him on his couch.
He quickly wiped his cheeks with his hands and stood up when he saw me. “Lily, what are you doing here?”
“What am I doing here? Where else would I be, Luke?” I burst out. The adrenaline left me once I saw he was okay. Cold fear replaced it when I saw the blank expression in his eyes as I took a step toward him.
He stepped back. “I need to be alone right now. Can I call you later?” He was cold, distant. My Luke was gone.
I felt myself start to retreat. But I managed to gain some courage and stood my ground. “I don’t think you should be alone right now. I can just sit with you, or I could fix you a snack, or a drink?—”
“No, thank you. I want to—I just need to... Damn it, Lily, just go, and I’ll call you later. I can’t do this right now,” he barked.
I flinched, but I wasn’t about to give up. “Dothis? Is nothing going to change? You can be there for me, even when I don’t want you to, but I can’t be there for you when you so obviously need me? I’m not going. You don’t have to talk to me, but I won’t let you be alone.”
