Page 11 of The Monster I Am
Black smoke hits me square in the face, forcing me backwards as I wheeze painfully. Tai curses next to me, immediately launching himself forward to take my place while I try to catch my breath.
We’re now working with zero visibility, so painfully, all I manage to blurt out is, “Just grab someone, Tai.”
Just grab whoever you can reach.
He grunts, body tensing, and I can tell he’s got a hold of someone, trying to lift them up. I launch forward, limbs entangling with Tai’s as I feel for sweaty, hot skin and dig my hands into them.
I’m not even sure who we have until the unmistakable voice of Hunter yells out, “Stop!”, and I feel the crushing, agonizing blow to my chest, realizing which one I’m about to lose.
Present Day
I probably shouldn’t be here right now. If I were to wager a bet, I’d say my father is tracking my movements. But frankly, I just don’t give a shit right now.
Entering the Ridgeview Medical Center, I ignore the staff that try to speak to me.
It’s late. And knowing my luck, they will try to kick me out. But if they want to do that, they better call security because I’m not leaving quietly.
To my surprise, I’m not the only one here.
Tai is sitting on a chair in the hallway, a steaming styrofoam cup in his hand. He glances over at the sound of my approaching footsteps, giving me a tired smile.
“Figured I’d see you here soon enough,” he says knowingly. “Soph’s just talking to the doctor.”
I nod, taking the vacant seat next to him. When the doctor emerges a few minutes later shooting us both a small nod of acknowledgment, we jump to our feet, pushing the door wide open.
“Geez,” Soph gasps as the door hits the wall. “Could the pair of you be any louder or more obnoxious?!”
“Quiet isn’t really their forte, Soph.”
My eyes land on Bexley immediately, welcoming the much needed wave of calmness that starts to roll through me at the sight of her. She laughs weakly at her own comment—a soft, tiny smile breaking out on her face at our arrival.
I can’t help but return it, relieved that whenever I’m in this room, my world feels complete again.
Chapter three
Bexley
“Here,” Rylan says, gently guiding one of his earbuds into my ear. “Bonus track just dropped this morning.”
I help adjust it, giving him a nod to signal I’m ready. He hits play on his phone and immediately the familiar sound of Lawless Dragons starts. The bass and drums keep building to a crescendo until the whole band is blasting the fast paced song.
Melting back into my pillow, I close my eyes, letting myself get lost in the new music. Rylan’s eyes stay glued on me the entire time, but I’m too drowsy to notice much. Between the painkillers and the music, I feel like I’m floating weightlessly in a carefree void.
It couldn’t have come at a better time. I’ve been cooped up in this hospital for over a week. But finally, I’ve been told that as long as my final test results come back clear this weekend, I’m free to go home.
When I woke after the fire, the pain was all-consuming and blinding. It felt like I could still feel the flames lapping at my skin and taste the thick smoke in my throat. I guess that’s theconsequence of being burned alive in the one place you could still call home. Now that’s tainted for me too.
Once the pain was under control, I realized I had no idea where the hell I actually was. I was expecting the familiar bland walls of Ridgeview Hospital, but this place was nicer.
A lovely nurse by the name of Rosemary filled me in that I was at the Ridgeview Medical Center—the private hospital—and after a small panic attack, she assured me that I wouldn’t end up with some crippling medical bill since everything was already taken care of.
And I’m yet to confront the reason why.
He hasn’t voiced it out loud, and I haven’t dared to ask. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned about Rylan Astor, it’s that his love language comes in the form of money. I know better than to start an argument. That confrontation in his bedroom over Mom’s funeral still haunts my daydreams and nightmares.
Wait. Does this count as love language? I suppose you can feel love for your enemies in a twisted way when you’ve been balls deep in them.
Are you really still referring to him as your enemy, Bexley?
