Finding My Forever (Beaumont 3)

Jimmy’s blood.

“Liam,” Harrison says. He looks up and that patented smile he has for his friends is gone. It’s replaced with so much pain, more than when Josie was dismissing him when he first came back to town. Tears rush to my eyes as I take in the sight before me. Liam looks broken.

“Liam?” my voice breaks. He doesn’t acknowledge my silent question, but pulls me into a hug. He holds me tight, his tears dampening my neck. I don’t want to take his tears as a sign, but I can’t help but think my husband is gone.

I pull away and cover my eyes, wiping away the tears. “Did he… is he…” I choke on my words as strong arms keep me from falling to the ground. I can’t keep the tears at bay any longer. Jimmy and I were just starting to build a life together and now it’s gone.

“He’s in surgery, Jenna. I don’t know anything else until they come and find us.”

I look up quickly. “Surgery? That’s good, right?”

Liam shrugs. “I don’t know, but he lost a lot of blood and wasn’t conscious.”

“Oh God,” I cry.

“Come on, let’s go sit down.” Harrison has to drag me away. I don’t know if Jimmy is behind that door or if Liam just stopped there, but I don’t want to leave. What if Jimmy needs me? I don’t want to be too far away from him.

The guys lead me to a waiting room. It’s much smaller and quieter than the one we were directed to when we first came in. I sit down and melt into the couch. Deep down I know it’s not comfortable, but I have a feeling my body knows we’re going to be here for a long time. I won’t leave Jimmy’s side.

“I’m going to go make some phone calls,” Harrison says, placing a kiss on my forehead. “I’ll bring back some coffee.” I watch him walk away. He gets about halfway from us and falls against the wall. You can see the sobs take over his body. It slips my mind sometimes that Jimmy has another family away from Little One and me.

“I’m sorry, Liam.”

He looks up at me, his eyes glazed with tears. “What on earth are you sorry for?”

I take a deep breath. “For bringing Damien into your lives. I should’ve left when he showed up. I knew he was dangerous and now Jimmy’s in surgery and I don’t even know if he’s going to make it, and it’s all because of me.” My voice cracks at the end, my body splintering, shattering. I don’t know how to keep it all in.

Liam pulls me into his arms, rubbing my shoulder. “People are sick, Jenna. You can’t predict what they’re going to do. This could’ve easily been me if Sam was around. I love you like a sister and am so thankful that you pushed Josie back to me, so don’t ever be sorry. You didn’t ask for this.”

Liam turns toward me so he can look at me. “I’m a man blessed with a lot. I have the love of my life, my son, my career and my family – that includes you, Jimmy, Katelyn, the girls, Quinn and Harrison. Without these things in my life, I’m nothing. Each one of you gives me something to look forward to. You – you’re the one who not only makes my wife smile, but you gave one of my best friends a new life. Don’t be sorry, Jenna, be determined to bring that fucker’s ass down for doing this to our family.”

I’m speechless. I’ve never had friends like Josie and Liam before. They’re rare gems and when you mix in Katelyn and Harrison, Liam’s right. We’re a family.

I lean into Liam and close my eyes. His hand returns to my shoulder, holding me there, giving me the comfort that I need. I hope that I can offer him a little bit of support. I know he’s hurting, we both are, each in our own way.

“Hello?”

“Sorry to call so early, but the shop is closed today.”

I sit up and look at the clock – it’s four a.m. “What’s wrong, Josie?”

“It’s… oh God Jenna, Mason… he was in an accident and he…”

I swallow hard and hold my breath. I know she’s going to deliver the worst news ever. I’m supposed to keep the girls overnight so he can surprise Katelyn with dinner. He said that during football season he loses his romantic side and needs as much help as possible.

“Josie?”

“He’s gone, Jenna. Oh God, he’s gone.” Silent tears fall as I listen to Josie cry on the phone. I don’t know what to do. I’ve never been faced with death. Josie, Katelyn and Mason are my only friends.

“I’m on my way. Where do I go?”

“I don’t… I ca…”

“Where are you?”

“Katelyn’s,” she says through a shuddering breath.

“I’m on my way.” I hang up and immediately cross my arms over my chest and hold myself. He can’t be gone. He’s the only guy I can trust. He knows everything about me and I didn’t even have to tell him. He just knew. He said he’d protect me and now he’s gone.