Page 76 of Breaking Bristol
“I’m proud of you, Bristol,” I murmured.
“Why?”
“You took your power back.”
She stiffened. “I don’t—”
“Don’t pollute what you did. You found your strength again, baby. That’s a beautiful thing.”
“I only did that because I thought you were dead.” She locked her eyes on mine. “I kind of like you, ya know.”
“I hate that this happened. I’ll never forgive myself for leaving you alone, and I’ll never forget listening to you stand up to him instead of letting him break you down.” I full-on smiled. “You wouldn’t know what a man was if the definition was tattooed on your forehead and carved into your fat fucking stomach.”
Her cheeks got pink. “Shut up. You were the one who was egging him on talking about all the places we had sex.”
“I know. I wanted to fuck with his head a little, too,” I admitted.
“Well, you accomplished that feat.”
She leaned forward and kissed me just as the door swung open.
“Good news, Dr. B.” Debbie came in with a bag and a folder. “You’re being released.”
“Finally. But I don’t need instructions on how to take care of myself at home.”
“It’s protocol,” she reminded me.
“Since when does that matter to you?” I lifted my hand, motioning to her cot in the corner.
“Pshh.” She shut the machines off and removed the pulse ox. “They’re not for you anyway. They’re for Bristol so she knows what you’re supposed to be doing so you can’t lie to her about doing more than you should.” She took my IV out and winked at me as she put a bright pink unicorn bandage on my arm.
She reached for the electrodes, and I shooed her away. “I can do it.”
“Can you get yourself dressed?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“Then I’ll be back with a chair.”
I shook my head. “I can walk.”
“Sorry, Doc. Protocol.”
When the door shut, Bristol got to her feet. “I like her.”
“Me too, when she’s not bossing me around,” I muttered.
“Come on. Let’s go home.”
I hated that I needed her help to get dressed, but I did. She’d brought me a zippered sweatshirt, a pair of sweatpants, and had to put my shoes and socks on for me. When she stood, I put a hand on her waist. “I love you, Bristol.”
“I know. I love you, too.” She kissed my temple and made a surprised noise. “I didn’t see her bring this in.” She opened a clear bag with my wallet, watch, and a silver chain that made my heart seize.
Bristol pulled out the necklace and started to put it over my head, but I grabbed the medallion, and it all suddenly made sense. I traced the new indentation with my thumb, and an uneven breath rattled my lungs. “Mikey.”
“Hey, what’s wrong?” she asked.
Without answering, I pushed to my feet, ignoring the stabbing pain in my ribs. It was difficult with one hand, but I put the chain over Bristol’s head. Her eyes held mine and filled with unshed tears. “I can’t take this.”