She was in danger in part because of me. She lost her sister in part because of me, and she’s not been living her life to the fullest because she’s been sacrificing for me and her to be together. And then tonight—even after I told her there was nothing left for us when she wanted to talk several days ago—when I realized she was doing the same and putting herself directly in harm’s way to protect me…I’ve never felt so powerless.
She could’ve been killed.
No, I can’t ever allow her to be hurt because of me again.
I study every freckle, scar, and line along with every sound of her breath so I can memorize them.
I brush a gentle kiss on her lips and then move up to do the same to her forehead. I rest mine against hers for a moment with my eyes closed just savoring being close to her. I revisit the first time I was enchanted by her smile so many years ago in my mind.She won a race against me when we were teenagers.
She pulled her helmet off, letting her long dark hair free. She waltzed right over to me and flashed the most blinding smile at me.
“Good race. I’ll try to go easy on you next time, Dash Conrad.” Then she winked.
I was too stunned to say anything clever in return, so I said, “I’d never want you to go easy on me just so I can win, Valkyrie.”
She blushed the most beautiful pink shade I’d ever seen. “Valkyrie?”
“You earned this win. You battled for it and you’re over here showing the loser…namely me…some grace even after you won. I’ve seen you race before, and you always do the same in any race you’re in. It’s something that deserves a nickname like Valkyrie. Don’t forget it,” I told her and winked back.
“I’ll never forget. And I’ll certainly never forget you,” she said.
“Please live your life and be happy. I’m letting you go, Valkyrie. I told you I never wanted anything the easy way. But I’m keeping the pieces of you you’ve given me so my heart can remember you. I can’t give those back. And whether you ever intended to steal it or not, you took my heart a long time ago and I want you to keep it so that maybe you can carry a few pieces of me with you too.”
I pull back and stand up. I must be crying because a tear runs down her face. I wipe it away and whisper, “Push it to the limit, Valkyrie.”
35
LENNON
“Dillan wants to visit,” Dad says from the chair in the corner of this hospital room.
If I never see another hospital room after this, it’ll be too soon for me.
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea. I broke his eye socket and gave him a gash that will leave a scar he’ll never be able to hide. I scarred him for life. I don’t know why he’d want to see me,” I say.
Dad smiles. “He’s a good guy, Lennon. He just wants to make sure you’re okay.”
“We thought Jackson was a good guy too. He was our friend…he was my friend,” I say as my chin wobbles.
I’ve run through all the emotions since our showdown. But oddly enough, anger has taken a back seat to the sadness and the sense of betrayal. It’d be easier to be angry and hate someone I didn’t really know.
Jealousy is an ugly emotion which makes people do abhorrent things. Once he’s out of this hospital, he’ll be going to jail to await trial. Nothing about this is quiet now.
There have been reporters and press trying to get in here for days now. The world knows about my amnesia, and they’ve heard rumors about why I was originally declared dead. They know London was the twin who was killed and that Lennon…that I’m still alive. Physically anyway.
Dash was here apparently, but no one has seen or heard from him since the first night I was here. Which was almost a week ago now. I’m set to go home tomorrow. My shoulder surgery went well, but they kept me to monitor my progress since Jackson did such a number on it. I’m sure Hendrix had some say in keeping me here a bit longer too.
He’s been here every day along with my parents, unlike Dash.
“Well, you don’t have to see him right now, but I had a private investigator do some digging and the only person who turned up anything suspicious was Jackson.”
He sighs and stands before coming over to my bed and he kisses my head. “I’m sorry, baby girl. I can’t imagine the betrayal you’re feeling.”
“I’m not sure I can trust anyone again,” I admit.
“Oh, Lennon. You don’t mean that,” my mom chimes in from the door.
“Don’t I?”
