Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 74022 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74022 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
“I heard what happened,” I say, meeting her eyes. “I wanted to see if you are okay, but I also wanted...I wanted to see Boston.”
Chantelle smiles, and nods, “I’m okay, and I’m sure he’d love to see you.”
“What you did for him, Chantelle...it was so incredibly brave.”
Chantelle’s smile wobbles, but she clears her throat and says, “Thank you, that means a lot.”
“You’re exactly what he could have ever needed, and I want you to know, I’m so sorry I ever made it harder for him to find his way to you. But you have to know, I think he always knew it was with you, he was just afraid of you, because you accepted everything he was trying to run from. Sometimes, I think he only wanted me because he thought I was so pure, and that purity might help him get away from the darkness inside.”
Chantelle reaches out, squeezing my arm and smiling softly, “I think you’re right, and don’t ever be sorry about it. Boston had to find his way. We all did. And the events that led us here, they suck, without a doubt, but if it weren’t for them, we wouldn’t be where we are. So, maybe everything happened how it was supposed to.”
I nod, stepping forward and hugging her. She hugs me back, and for a moment, we just stand like that. When I finally pull back, I say, “I’m so happy for the two of you, and I hope we can all still be friends.”
Chantelle nods. “Of course we can. We’re in this together. And I know he’ll be glad to see you...”
I take a deep shaky breath. “Can I go in?”
Chantelle points to a door just down the hall. “He’s in there. Go on in.”
I stare at the door, and then look back to Chantelle. “You’re an incredible human, Chantelle. Thank you, again.”
Her eyes soften, and it almost looks like some light comes back into them.
“As are you, Penny.”
With that, I make my way down the hall towards Boston’s room.
To make things right in my life.
Once and for all.
~*~*~*~
NOW – BOSTON
Didn’t expect to see her.
Was beginning to wonder if I’d ever see her again after what she saw in me, but here she is, standing at my door, staring at me nervously. Still as beautiful, and still as pure, as she has ever been.
“Can I come in?” she asks me, her voice soft.
I nod. “Yeah.”
She walks in and stops by my bed, staring down at me. “You look...awful.”
I shrug. “Feel it, too. How are you?”
She nods, and stares down at her hands, “My leg is much better. Listen, Boston, that’s not why I’m here. Can I say something?”
I study her, but nod without speaking.
She inhales deeply, and then speaks, “What you did...it terrified me. Seeing you like that was nearly too much to handle...”
“Penny-”
She puts up a hand, “Please, let me finish.”
I zip it.
“It was nearly too much, but...when you got taken, I thought about never speaking to you again, and knowing that you would have been gone thinking that I hated you, and I realized, I simply couldn’t live with that. Not for myself, but for you. Because what you did for me, it was brave, and strong, and I know you took it too far but...you saved my life, Boston. And you’re not a monster. You’re not even close. And thinking of my life without you in it, makes me feel empty.”
She stops speaking and stares at me, and I hold her eyes for a minute. “Really appreciate you sayin’ that to me, Penny.”
She swallows, and reaches out, taking my hand. “You’re not the man for me, but I think we’ve both known that all along. I’ve lived with too much pain, I need some light, I deserve some light. Unfortunately, your club and your life, it isn’t for me. But you, the club, you all mean something to me. You’re my friends. Hell, you’re my family. I don’t want to lose that.”
I grin at her. “You were never goin’ to lose that, Penny.”
A tear rolls down her cheek. “You don’t hate me?”
I shake my head. “Fuck no. You’re my best friend, nothin’ you could ever do would make me hate you. I don’t regret a single moment with you, but you’re right, I’m not the man for you.”
She smiles and squeezes my hand. “Does this mean we can still be friends?”
“Never fuckin’ stopped, honey.”
I see the stress leave her body, and she exhales. “Chantelle...she’s amazing. I’m so happy for you. And I mean that.”
I grin at her. “Fuck yeah she is, and thank you.”
“So, does this mean I get to keep working with Cassie? Because, I’m not going to lie, I adore her.”
I nod. “Job is yours. Always has been. Always will be.”
Now the light really comes back into her face.