So yes, I may feel guilty, but I can’t allow myself to feel anything else. Landon did this. He brought this on himself. And if I saw him right now, I couldn’t be held responsible for what I’d do.
He hurt the one man that brings light into my world and extinguished his flame in the process. He deserves…
God, what if he dies?
No… what’s worse…
“What if Reed doesn’t wake up?” I sob uncontrollably just like I did when Reed first collapsed in my arms, the memory still raw. And it’s only when Luke rushes to my side that I realise I spoke the words out loud. “What if I lose him? What if he dies?”
Wake up, Reed. You have to wake up.
CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE
Hayley
Please wake up. Please, Reed. I need you.
I wake with a start, again, my eyes instantly flashing to Reed’s lifeless-looking body. After letting out a shaky breath and getting my bearings, I try to ignore my stomach when it growls. But when a throat clears behind me, I know I’ve been busted.
“You need to eat, Hayley.” Luke takes his brotherly love one step further, drawing my attention to where he stands by the door. “When was the last time you left the room?”
I haven’t, but I’m not about to admit that. “I’m fine. But if you want to get me some food, I won’t say no.”
“Not going to happen, Jackman. But I’ll happily go with you.”
“Luke,” I groan out his name but he stands firm, folding his arms over his chest. “Ugh, fine. But we’re walking quickly.”
"Of course. Let’s go.”
I swear I’m only gone fifteen minutes but when I get back, Reed’s breathing tubes are missing. With a gasp, I frantically rush to his side, cursing Luke for taking me away. “Reed, baby,” I whisper, my heart picking up speed. “Are you awake?”
“Not yet.” A voice comes from behind me and I freeze before spinning around.
I’m not alone.
“God, I’m sorry,” the woman says as she clings to a man beside her.
“Who—” I begin to question them but pause when recognition hits me. “Mr. and Mrs. Coombs?”
“That’s us.” Reed’s mum smiles softly but it doesn’t quite reach her eyes. Understandably. Her son’s currently lying in the hospital with a stab wound to his side. “We’ve been here about ten minutes or so,” she continues. “I thought you saw us when you walked in.”
Nope. I did not.“God.I’msorry. I’m in my own world. I didn’t mean to interrupt your time with Reed. I’ll leave you alone.” I hurry over to the chair and grab my bag from the floor, smiling awkwardly. “I’ll be out—”
“Wait, Hayley.” She reaches her hand out but stays by her husband’s side. “You don’t have to go. Reed would want you here.”
I frown at her use of my name until I remember they’ve seen my movie and have likely seen photos of the two of us doing the rounds. They know who I am. Just like everyone else. I’m the reason Reed’s here to begin with. “Thank you, but—”
“Please,” she cuts me off again, her eyes pleading with me to stay. And since I’d like nothing more than to never leave his side again, I drop my bag and nod.
“Thank you.” Mrs. Coombs sighs in relief and I force a grin, my gaze drifting back to Reed.
“Do you know how long ago they took the tubes out?” I ask, studying his features.
When I glance back at her, Mrs. Coombs frowns. “We weren’t here but the doctor said he started breathing on his own just before we arrived.”
“Did he wake up?”
“Not fully.”
