Page 82 of Forever Only Once

“He got hurt because of that asshole,” she growled. I flinched at her tone.

Myra and Dakota both gave her admonishing looks, but Paris didn’t back down.

“No. You’re not going to blame yourself for this. What happened is not your fault. This is all on Thomas. Not you.”

“I know,” I lied.

I didn’t know if they believed me, but I didn’t care. I just wanted to go home. I wanted to be alone. I needed to make sure Cross and Macon were out of surgery, that there would be no ill effects. That they would be able to go home soon and pretend like nothing had happened.

I needed them to be safe.

There was a knock on the door, and Arden stood there, her eyes tired. She didn’t look on the verge of breaking down like I was, so I had to hope it meant there was good news.

Dakota and Paris turned on a dime, and both of them moved out of the way for Arden.

But it was Myra that I was looking at, her face pale, her eyes wide. She looked at Arden, and I wondered what had happened. Myra gave a slight shake of her head, and Arden nodded slightly. I knew I had to know what these two were doing. Did they know each other? Had they met before?

I didn’t know if it was any of my business, but something was off.

My head hurt too much to focus on it, though, so instead, I raised my chin and tried to pretend that I was fine.

I didn’t even know what that meant anymore.

“I said I’m sorry we’re meeting like this,” Arden said softly. “I wanted to let you know that both Macon and Cross are out of surgery.”

My heart shuddered, and I nodded, but I didn’t cry. I had a feeling I was done crying.

“That’s good news,” Dakota said, reaching out with shaking hands to grip Arden’s. The other woman clasped my friend’s fingers tightly and nodded.

“They’re going to be fine. The doctor just came out and told me. My husband’s in the waiting room, he wanted to give you some space, but if you need anything, we’re all here for you. You’re not alone in this, Hazel. I just wanted you to know that. Thank you for both of my brothers’ lives. I know it’s a bit much, but if you need to talk, we’re here.”

I nodded, but I didn’t really hear any of it. Saving? No, I was the reason they were in this hospital.

And I didn’t have them, not really. I didn’t have anyone.

I didn’t deserve them.

Arden looked between us all and then nodded before walking out, whispering something to Myra on her way by.

Myra gave a tight nod and then closed the door behind Arden.

No one was going to talk about the elephant in the room, about what we had just seen, and that was fine with me.

All I wanted was to go home.

I wanted to be alone.

“Now, let’s figure out what to do next,” Dakota said.

I shook my head. “Can I just have some space for a minute?” I whispered.

“No, space isn’t going to help,” Paris said, but Myra shushed her.

“I agree that space isn’t going to help, but is that really what you want right now?” Myra asked.

I looked at my friend and wondered what secrets she had, what other things we were all keeping close.

My past had almost gotten two people killed and had led another to getting his head blown off.