Page 59 of Where You Belong
“Their story has always kept me believing no matter what obstacles are put in your way, no matter what life has thrown you, there’s always a light at the end of a dark tunnel.”
“What do we know yet? Or are we still waiting?” Callum asks.
“They’re doing an ECG right now. They are worried about the amount of blood he lost. He may need a transfusion,” Alex says as the door at the end of the hall opens, and Madelyn comes rushing through.
She turns back and mutters to someone we’re down this way. A moment later, I spot Gage turn the corner behind her. My eyes flash to Alex and release a deep breath. He winks before flashing me a reassuring smile as if saying it’s okay.
The closer Madelyn gets to us, the more I see her bloodshot eyes from the tears she’s shed.
“Any word on Grey and if they found him yet?” Alex asks Gage, referring to Atlas by our last name. I drag my teeth over my lower lip, a ball of guilt lodged in my throat.
I tip my head down, staring at the tile floor. The mention of Atlas and what he did has my stomach twisting in knots all over again.
“I’m so sorry,” I choke out. “I would never want anything to happen to Corbin.”
“Haelynn, this isn’t your fault. Please don’t beat yourself up over this.” Ellie attempts to reassure me.
“She’s right. Sometimes people do bad things we’ll never understand,” Callum interjects. His voice is hard, commanding. “Corbin wouldn’t want you to blame yourself for this, either. This isn’t your fault, and no one here thinks so.”
He emphasizes the words “no one.” The silence that falls over the group is deafening. I almost wonder if everyone else can hear my heart race, the sound flooding my ears.
The urge to glance over at Gage eats away at me, knowing what Callum just said was untrue. Gage hated my father for his part in killing his uncle, and I don’t doubt for a second he blames me for what happened to Corbin.
“Isn’t that right, Gage?” Callum says, cutting to the chase.
My head jerks up, staring at him. A solemn look falls over his face, avoiding my gaze. It takes a second before he nods his head, peering over to look at me.
“Yes, sir,” Gage agrees. “This isn’t your fault, Haelynn.”
Madelyn reaches out, and I sag into her, slipping my arm around her waist in a hug.
“It’s okay,” she soothes me. She whispers in my ear that she’ll always be here for me and stay with me for as long as I need her.
When we finally break apart, she runs her thumbs beneath my eyes, wiping away the mascara streaking down my face.
“Huxton’s okay. He woke up shortly after you left. He needed to use the bathroom, not from the commotion or anything. When I heard his bedroom door open, I went to check on him and told him you had to leave for a bit. I told him your mom would be with him when he woke up, and you’d be home later.”
“Thank you.” I sigh. “I’m glad he didn’t hear anything.”
“Alex took care of talking with the police. They have someone staying outside in case he tries to come back. For now, they’re focusing on finding Atlas.”
“I just can’t believe this,” I whisper.
Time continues to drag on the longer we sit in the waiting area. Every time the door opens, my eyes dart over in hopes it’s someone coming to give us an update.
“Haelynn, I know this may not be the best time, but do you want to go for a walk with me? We can get a cup of coffee while we wait,” Gage asks.
He slips his hands in his pockets. My eyes dart over to Madelyn and Alex before looking at Gage.
“We’ll make it quick,” he assures me. “I know you don’t want to be gone too long.”
Madelyn promises to text me if the doctor gives any updates. I nod, walking with Gage down the hallway, a silence falling over the two of us.
“It’s long past the time I admit I owe you an apology.”
I peer over at Gage, not expecting an apology from him. I don’t say anything, not wanting to interrupt him, so I let him continue.
“I’m sorry. I will admit I misjudged your intentions when you first came to town and started spending time with Corbin. The guys have given me a lot of grief lately, asking questions and wanting to know what’s changed in me. There’s a lot I can’t discuss on a case we worked a few months back, but it, ahh…” His voice trails off as if trying to find the right words.