“I know,” she whispered. “And I didn’t. I will regret that for the rest of my life.” She inhaled shakily. “I am so, so sorry,” she said again. “I need to come see you in Big Bear, I don’t care what time it is. I’m coming there.”
“You don’t have to drive right now,” I said softly. “I’m safe.”
“I should have protected you before,” she replied. “Let me at least show up now.”
“I don’t know what this looks like yet,” I said carefully. “Between us. I want to see you, and I know we need to talk. You can come in the next few days. After things settle a little?”
“Of course,” she said. “If that’s what you want. I knowyou’re upset still. But I want to make things right. I love you,” she whispered.
“I love you too. Please relay to Dad and Mason what happened. I’m not ready to face Dad yet. And I know Mason will do better if it comes from you.”
“I can do that.”
“Thank you.” I paused. “I really want us to be together again, as a family.”
“Me too, sweetie,” she said. “We will soon.”
It wasn’t fixed, and it most definitely wasn’t all healed. But it was the start of a relationship on the mend. And it was the first time in a while I’d felt hope for my mom and me.
CHAPTER 70
We left the hospital later that evening. My scans had come back clear, and aside from a few scrapes on my hands and a bruise on my head, they said I’d be fine. I didn’t even end up needing stitches, which I found quite ironic considering it felt much more warranted now than when I fell on the stairs during the BBQ all those months ago.
Jay pulled up to his cabin just as the sun was setting over the lake, the sky casting a soft, serene glow across the water. When we stepped inside, Luna rushed toward us.
I knelt carefully, scratching behind her ears. She whined and gently licked at the bandages on my hands.
“I’m okay, girl,” I murmured. “I’m okay.”
When I stood, Jay set the hospital paperwork on the table and turned to me, concern still etched across his face.
“Do you want to go up to bed?” he asked gently.
I shook my head. “I probably won’t be able to sleep until later tonight.”
It was only five o’clock. I’d had a few restless hours ofsleep at the hospital between scans, and I definitely needed more. But I was feeling reluctant. I really didn’t want to give my brain the option to dream up Dr. Pike’s evil sneer again.
He nodded, still tense. He hadn’t relaxed once since he’d found me.
“No worries,” he said softly, brushing his fingers against my shoulder. “How about a bath instead?”
I nodded immediately. “That would be nice.”
“I’ll get it started.”
He disappeared down the hall while I curled up on the couch with Luna. A few minutes later, he returned.
“The bath’s ready,” he said quietly. “I hope you don’t mind—I drew it in my bathroom.”
I opened my mouth to object, then closed it.
“I don’t mind,” I said, heat creeping into my cheeks.
I still hadn’t told him everything I’d been feeling. When Dr. Pike found me, I’d been on my way to tell Jay I loved him.
I still wanted to.
I just didn’t know when the right moment would be to express that now.
