Either way, it was a subtle reminder that I seemed incapable of meeting the most basic necessities of life without a gentle nudge.
“You need to take a minute for yourself. Step away for a few.”
At first, I furrowed my brow in outrage, but as I continued to shake my head in denial, the more my resolve crumbled. I knew his plea came from a place of genuine concern rather than an assumption that he understood me better than I understood myself.
“I won’t leave him alone, I promise,” he reassured me.
As much as it pained me to leave my dad’s side, I knew I needed a break to gather my wits and recharge from the internal struggle I had endured over the last twenty-four hours. I was holding on by a thread, refusing to let the dam break, fearful that once it did, I would be swept away by an unforgiving current and wouldn’t recover. It was something I couldn’t risk until I was alone, safe from the prying eyes I knew would judge me—ones I refused to allow any power over me at the cost of my own fragility.
Rising to my feet, I leaned over and kissed my dad’s cheek before placing my trust in Jameson and seeking refuge in the first secluded spot I could find.
Chapter Seven
Jameson
Iarrived at the hospital around five a.m., after the guys and I had secured the scene at Dustin’s. I couldn’t bring myself to go home, not when I knew Arizona was alone in Rockwood. Nothing or no one could have dragged me away from being close by. I felt a deep pull from within to be there for her in any way she’d allow.
To respect their privacy as best as I could, I paced the hospital corridors, sat on the floor outside Dustin’s room, and tried watching television in the waiting room until the urge to check on Arizona became too strong to resist or ignore. Seeing her, nearly despondent with worry as she kept vigil over her dad, was heart-stopping.
I recalled the exact second when time ground to a halt as Cruz drove the fire engine up Dustin’s driveway. If it hadn’t been for the adrenaline and sheer determination surging deep in my marrow to rescue him at any cost, my actions might have been less risky. Instead, I defied orders and tossed protocol aside by rushing into the greenhouse before securing the scene.
The second I saw where the fire was located on the property, I felt like a freight train on a mission. Every instinct in mescreamed that Dustin was inside, trying to douse the flames and salvage what remained.
While I knew I was in for the fight of my life, I was unprepared for the onslaught of fear that slammed into my chest when I discovered his lifeless body inside. How I managed to get him outside remained a fog. The chaos that ensued was a mix of anxiety unlike anything I’d ever experienced before. The only thing I remember after collapsing to my knees as the ambulance sped away with sirens blaring was twofold: first, I was thankful Ari wasn’t on shift, and second, I desperately hoped Dustin’s number wasn’t being called.
I didn’t usually rely on faith, yet the desire to embrace it was strong.
While Ari’s strength was unmatched, if anything were to happen to her dad, it would undoubtedly put that statement to the test.
I sat at his bedside, shifting my eyes between him and the outside view of the mountains, and felt a dramatic shift in my chest. I couldn’t narrow it into focus other than the awareness we only had one life was the kick in the butt I needed to no longer sit back in the shadows.
Life was too short not to take chances, even if it meant putting everything on the line.
“Excuse me.”
I turned to see an older gentleman in a lab coat, accompanied by a nurse who seemed oddly familiar, yet I couldn’t quite place her, standing in the doorway.
“Did Arizona go home to rest?” she inquired, surprise evident on her face.
“No, she just stepped out for a short break,” I answered before shifting my focus back to the doctor. “Do you need me to?—”
“Yes, I would like you to do the same while we perform a quick exam.”
“I promised Arizona that I wouldn’t leave his side.”
“It will only take a few minutes, and you can wait just outside the door.”
“Okay. Before I go, may I ask how much longer you intend to keep him sedated?”
“Are you a family member?” the doctor asked.
“No, just a close family friend.”
“I’m sorry, I can’t share the patient’s treatment plan with you without the family’s consent.”
I nodded in understanding.
“Jameson.” The nurse called for my attention as I rounded the corner and stepped out into the hallway.
