Total pages in book: 151
Estimated words: 139803 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 699(@200wpm)___ 559(@250wpm)___ 466(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 139803 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 699(@200wpm)___ 559(@250wpm)___ 466(@300wpm)
“Axel.”
I looked up through my tears to see my beautiful little fighter standing in front of me. She draped herself over my lap and tightly wrapped her arms around me, holding me tight as I cried on her shoulder, squeezing her body to mine. I needed to feel her, hold her.
If Meghan could get through all of that shit that she did, I knew I could get through this.
But I also knew that it didn’t mean this shit wouldn’t hurt.
It was going to hurt like a bitch.
Dr. Gresham walked over to us. “Sorry to interrupt,” he sadly apologized. I didn’t look up. Meghan soothingly ran her fingers through my hair. “Alli’s discharge papers are being processed, and she’s packing. I’m extremely sorry that I couldn’t help her.”
Julian released a sigh. “It’s not your fault, Dr. Gresham. Not everyone can be helped. They have to want to save themselves first.”
I stood up with Meghan in my arms, not wanting to release my hold on her. “Can we go?” I quietly asked Julian. “I’m done here. I just want to fucking go home.”
Julian nodded and clapped his hand to my upper back. “It sucks fucking balls right now, bro, but it will get better. Lean on her,” he said quietly, jerking his head toward Meghan. “She can handle it.”
I looked down at Meghan, only to find her already looking up at me with those beautiful, moss green colored eyes. She placed her hand on my cheek. “I love you, Axel.”
I sighed, leaning down to softly kiss her. “And I love you, sweet girl.”
Though Meghan helped ease the pain some, it didn’t mean my heart wasn’t still ripping apart in my chest as I was forced to let my sister go.
50
Meghan
* * *
Axel was passed out with is head resting on my thighs, his body stretched out across the rest of the couch. I hadn’t stopped running my fingers through his hair since he had laid down.
I couldn’t even begin to imagine the pain he was feeling inside. I wanted to make him feel better, but all I knew was to just be there for him. I knew all wounds eventually healed with time and proper care.
Julian leaned over and pressed a kiss to the top of my head. “He asleep?” he asked quietly.
I nodded as I looked up at Julian. “What happened after I left?” I asked him.
“Alli gave up,” he said quietly. I frowned, my eyes moving back to Axel. My soul wept for him and the pain he was going through. “She was hoping he would leave you.” My heart froze in my chest. I had just come to terms with the fact that Axel was putting me above his family, that he considered me his immediate family now. “Easy, baby.” Julian brushed his lips over my forehead. “Axel will never leave you, baby girl. He made a really hard decision today when he chose between you and her, but he made you a promise. He’s not ever going to break his promise to you.”
“He’s so selfless,” I whispered as I looked back down at him.
“Only for you, baby girl. For anyone else, he frankly doesn’t really give a shit. All we can do is hope that Alli will one day find her way, but there’s nothing any of us can do for her—not even a professional. She has to want the help, baby girl, and she’s fighting that help every chance she can.”
I sighed. “I hate this for him.”
Julian sat on the arm of the couch and rubbed his thumb down my cheek. “I know you do, baby girl. Fuck, I hate it for him, too. But he’s got you, and I’m here for him, too. Axel is like a brother to me. We’ll help him through this, baby girl.”
I leaned my head against his side. “Why did she have to let him down?” I asked softly.
Julian pressed his lips to the top of my head. “I don’t know, baby girl.”
With a soft sigh, I continued running my fingers through Axel’s hair, wishing that I could take his heartache away and make it my own.
* * *
✶ ✶ ✶
* * *
Axel tiredly walked into the kitchen the next morning. I knew he hadn’t slept worth a damn. He had tossed and turned all night to the point that Julian actually put me on his side of the bed, and he took the spot between me and Axel because he was worried Axel was going to accidentally hit me in the face or in my belly with all of the moving he was doing.
“Good morning,” I softly greeted, handing him the cup of coffee I had just finished making for him since it was his normal time to get out of bed.
He leaned over to gently kiss me. “Morning.” He took the coffee and stepped out of the kitchen.