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)
“She overdosed,” I told him, my voice breaking as tears began to slide down my cheeks. “She took most of her antidepressants. I don’t know how long she’s been like this, but mom is calling 9-1-1.”
“Fuck,” Julian swore. “We’ll delay the trip. Meghan and I will meet you at the hospital.”
“Meghan won’t—” He couldn’t drag her out of the house before she was ready.
“She will,” Julian cut me off. “Meghan will do whatever is necessary to make sure she can be there for you in your time of need. Don’t doubt her, bro. It might scare the fuck out of her to venture out into public, but I know she will for you.”
“Fuck.” I nodded my head. “Okay.”
I hung up the phone and held my sister to me as I tried to swallow back my tears as much as possible. I needed to keep a level head. I hated that my parents refused to get Alli the right care. I was pretty sure Alli had finally hit rock bottom.
And I hadn’t been there for her like I had promised I always would.
Instead, I was focused on Meghan and trying to help her.
Sis, I’m so fucking sorry I failed you.
* * *
✶ ✶ ✶
* * *
I looked up from my sister’s face when the hospital room door opened. Julian stepped through with Meghan’s hand clasped tightly around his. She was a bit pale, and her body was trembling next to his. I could see her pulse rapidly beating at the base of her neck, revealing how much being in public bothered her.
“Oh, Meghan,” I whispered as I stood up.
She rushed into my arms, allowing me to wrap her up in my safety and security. “Julian told me about your sister.” Her voice shook as she spoke. She was so fucking brave for coming here.
I tightened my arms around her. Julian moved around the bed and gently ran his hand over my sister’s dark hair, a sad smile tilting his lips. Before college, he was her rock as much as I was. Hell, even Vincent had been.
She probably felt so alone now.
“How is she?” Julian asked me as he looked up, letting his sad, blue eyes clash with mine.
I blew out a soft breath. “She’s going to be okay. She’s just knocked out from the antidepressants.”
“Axel?” my little sister cried out. She ripped open her dark eyes, locking them on me.
I released Meghan and moved closer to Alli, grabbing her hand in mine. “Hey,” I breathed. “How are you feeling?”
Her eyes moved to Julian. Tears flooded her eyes. She hadn’t seemed to notice Meghan yet despite the fact that I had been holding her when she had looked at me. “I want it to stop,” she cried, tears sliding down her cheeks. My heart clenched.
“Hey.” I brushed my thumbs over her cheeks. She sobbed. “We’re going to get you help, Alli,” I assured her.
“Why does everyone want to leave me?” she cried. She looked up at me, desperation in her eyes. “I can be better, Axel,” she whimpered. Fuck, my heart couldn’t take this. “Please don’t leave me.”
Tears burned in my eyes. I hated leaving her, but Meghan needed me, too. Julian grabbed Alli’s other hand. “Darlin’, maybe it’s time to look into more serious help,” he told her gently. She shook her head. Julian squeezed her hand. I reached back behind me with my free hand, silently coaxing Meghan to hold my hand. She placed her hand in mine, and I pulled her to stand next to me while Alli’s gaze was on Julian.
Meghan stepped closer to me, her eyes locked on where Julian was holding Alli’s hand. I pressed my lips to her temple “Shh, sweet girl,” I soothed. “Julian has known Alli as long as he’s known me.”
“Listen to me, Alli,” Julian told her, his tone hardening momentarily. My little sister nervously swallowed. “You see that woman standing next to your brother?” Julian asked her as he flicked his eyes to Meghan before focusing back on Alli. Alli turned to look at Meghan, and her eyes washed with tears again. “No,” Julian told her sternly. “Look back at me.”
She slowly dragged her eyes from Meghan and focused back on Julian. Meghan stepped even closer to me on instinct, reaching up to rub her chest. I wrapped my arm around her waist and pressed my lips to the top of her head, holding them there until I felt her relax a bit. “Meghan hit a low worse than you did, Alli,” Julian told her bluntly. Meghan flinched. I brushed my lips to her forehead. “She got help, Alli. She faced all of her demons all while she cried and fell apart. She’s the strongest woman I know because of it. You need help.”
“I don’t!” she cried. “I can do this. I’m not crazy.”