have left before I pass the fuck out.
She grabs my soap and washes me off, being careful with my busted hand. It’s swollen, but it’s stopped bleeding. I can’t even make a fist with it right now. She finishes up quickly and turns the water off before she gets out and grabs two towels for us. She begins to dry me off and I take it from her. Then she walks over to the his and her sinks and starts digging under them in the cabinets. Slamming doors open and closed.
“What are you looking for?” I ask.
“Medicine. You need …”
“No.” I interrupt her, knowing where she’s going.
She stops and stands, turning to face me. She hasn’t even taken the time to dry off yet. Her towel still sits on the counter folded. Her wet hair clings to her naked chest and she still has some makeup smeared on her face. “Grave, you need to take something.”
I shake my head. “I’ll be okay.”
She bites her bottom lip as if she wants to argue but I just told her I’m an addict. I have some tabs in my duffel bag in my closet but I’m not going to tell her that because I’m not going to take them. I can live with the pain. “I just need some rest.” I assure her and walk over to the counter. “Will you stay the night with me?” I ask.
We’ve always stayed at her house. One, because I liked being at her house. It felt like home to me. And two, because I never wanted her up at Kingdom around the guys.
“Of course.” She sighs, letting go of the fact I’m not going to take anything for the pain.
APRIL
I stand in the cooler at Roses when I hear the bell ring. “How may I help you?” I call out, walking behind the desk. The smile drops off my face when I see who it is.
Lucy stands there in a pair of blue jeans and a long-sleeve white shirt. Her blond hair is up in a high ponytail, and her face clear of makeup. Her brown eyes look sad, but she manages to give me a smile. “Hey,” she says shyly.
“Hey.” I cross my arms over my chest.
She bows her head, staring at her tennis shoes. “My brother told me that I owe you an apology and a thank you.”
I just stare at her.
She looks up at me. “I’m sorry—”
“I’m not the one you owe an apology to,” I interrupt her.
She lets out a long breath. “I told him I’m sorry.”
It’s been five days since we found her dying in her bedroom. Grave hasn’t mentioned her once. But I think about her all the time. Wondering if she’s okay.
“I was just jealous.” She sighs. “I knew from the moment I saw you two together at the Airport the night of his fight that he loved you.”
I feel what little anger I have for this woman fade. I walk out around the counter and over to her. I open my arms, and she all but falls into me. “I really am sorry.” She begins to softly cry. “I just wanted him to love me like that. Like I loved him.”
I rub her back, not sure what to say. You can’t make someone love you.
“Thank you.” She pulls away from me, rubbing her tears away. “I’m sober. And I understand what I’ve done is wrong.” Her eyes meet mine. “I’m going to rehab. But I wouldn’t have that opportunity if it wasn’t for you.”
I place my hands on her shoulders. “Don’t let a man ever make you think your life isn’t worth living, Lucy.” She sniffs. “You’re beautiful, and you need to put yourself first. Always.” She really is pretty. Her blond hair brings out her big brown eyes. I hate that she put so much of her life into Grave’s. But just because he doesn’t return the feelings doesn’t mean it’s not worth anything. “I wish you the best, and I hope you find what you’re looking for.”
“Thank you,” she says again, pulling me in for another hug. When she pulls away, she sniffs again. “You are what he needs. You’re going to be the one to save him from himself.” And with that, she turns and exits the shop.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
GRAVE
I SIT UP at my desk at Kingdom. I managed to sneak in without being seen. I was gone for almost two weeks when me and April broke up. Then I took some time off after Lucy’s