Her voice is louder now, firmer even when she says, "Ander, you need to go."
"Rosie," I shake my head, trying to calm myself and remind myself that she's hurting. She doesn't need me going all fucking caveman in the hospital on her brother. She needs comfort and someone to help her process everything that's happening.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to lose it. I just—"
"Go home, Ander!" She all but yells at me this time.
Before I can react, she steps back, crosses her arms over her chest, and looks at Izzy. "Can you take me home?" she walks right past me.
Izzy looks dumbfounded and not sure how to respond. Her eyes flash back and forth between my breaking heart and Via's shattered one, but this isn't about me.
"Here," I say, tossing the keys to my truck to Izzy. We all rode here together, so they had no ride other than me. If I can't be the one to help Via right now, I damn sure won't be the one to pressure her and make it worst, either. Via keeps walking away from us, not looking back.
"Are you sure? How will you all get home?"
"Yes, just please take care of her."
I told myself I wouldn't fucking cry. I don't cry, but apparently, I do. Because as my heart breaks for the woman that gives it a reason to beat, the only thing I can do is cry for her.
Izzy pulls me into an awkward hug. Her face says more than her mouth does. I don't need her pity. I need her to take care of my girl.
"Izzy, just don't let her shut down for long. Tell her I love her and I'm here when she's ready—I'm always here. We will find a ride to your house to get my truck and then go to the island to get your car. I'll give her some time, but I'll check in on her when we get back into town. I don't want to force her."
Izzy sighs and forces an apologetic, sympathetic smile my way, then turns and chases after Via. Jett smacks his hand across my shoulder and gives me a side hug.
"She'll come around, brother; she always does. You know that asshole fucks with her head."
I nod.
The first few days without a word from her were like a knife to the gut. One that not only stabbed me but also twisted and turned, wreaking havoc in the path of its destruction.
My heart breaks for her, and I'm fucking angry. If there's anyone in this world who doesn't need more pain added to the already devastatingly long list of reasons to lose hope, it's her. I know. She will blame herself for this one, and she shouldn't. She has every right to hate me. The thing is, I don't blame her one bit. This one is on me.
Had I not forced her out of the house that night and taken her down to the island, even though she was hesitant, none of this would have happened. Liam would have spewed his venom. Everyone would have been distraught for a few hours before that infuriatingly positive woman of mine, with her soul-piercing eyes, got them all to see the bright side of their negative, which is Liam. Everyone would have been safe in that home. There would have been no one to go out looking for, so there would have been no accident.
We've always faced our hard times together. We've been each other's safe place, leaning on the other when the weight of reality gets too heavy to carry alone. We've shared secrets and held each other's truths locked tight. When the darkness would threaten to succumb to either of us, turning to the other was the solution, and we would always walk through it together.
Never alone.
It's another one of the promises we made to each other. Some people may think it's a lot of pressure to put on one another. Too heavy. The truth is, what's too heavy is going through life without having someone to unload all your worst days on. Not the notion of only feeling alone but actually being alone in your struggles. I never want her to feel or be either of those.
I've tried calling and texting too many times to count, all of which have gone unanswered. I know I need to back off and giveher time, but this is so unlike her. Her face when she looked at me at that hospital after she stopped me from destroying her brother is etched in my mind, and I can't shake it.
I've never seen her so broken, and it's tearing me down that I caused this for her. The worst part is she won't even let me be there for her through it.
Ander:Hey baby, I'm just checking in with you again.
Ander:I'm here for you. I'm always here. I'll be here whenever you're ready.
Ander:I'm so worried about you. Please just say something.
Ander:Please let me be here for you.
Ander:I miss you.
Ander:Rosie, please. I love you.
After all the texts I sent, I decided that sending one more plea wouldn't hurt.
