Easton

Liam took a seat as Scarlett wrapped herself around him. He felt her shaking, and he had to keep it together.

This weekend, he’d been so close to getting what he wanted. He’d seen the attraction in Easton’s eyes, and knew it was only time he needed to finally have the family he always craved.

Taylor, much to Liam’s shock, sat beside Axton. She was tense and looked like she wanted to be anywhere but at the hospital.

He didn’t blame her.

“It’s good Easton has you looking out for him,” Axton said. “He’s been so secretive about everything. How is he getting on with his child? His son.”

“We’ve not gotten a chance to meet him yet,” Karson said.

“He’s part of Easton, and we’d love to meet him,” Romeo said.

Scarlett sniffled. “When all of this is over and if Easton makes it through.”

“He will,” Liam said.

“We don’t know that.”

“I’m not going to sit in this room and think for a second he’s not going to make it through. He’s a strong man, and I know he’s going to make it. He has to survive.”

He didn’t see any other way for this.

Easton had to survive.

Scarlett held him a little tighter. “When Easton pulls through, we’ll have lunch or dinner. Or something. We’ll make it work.”

These men were Easton’s family, and Liam was more than willing to accept them, but they would only be allowed to come around if they had Easton’s best interests at heart.

He took care of his family, and he used any means at his disposal to do it.

****

Why was the time going by so fucking slowly?

Scarlett stared at the clock and couldn’t be sure if it wasn’t broken or something. It was like time was finally mocking her. Making her wait for the scariest outcome of her life. What if Easton didn’t make it? What would she tell her son? How would she be able to handle that kind of pain?

“I need to go and get myself a drink and some fresh air,” she said.

Liam got to his feet. “I’ll come with you.”

“No. I’ll grab you a coffee. You don’t need to come with me.” She patted Liam’s hands, trying to give him comfort. It felt impossible to do.

She knew he always went out of his way to comfort her, and no matter what she tried, she would be failing him.

“Black, no sugar,” he said.

“Okay.”

Without a look toward the others in the room, she made her way out of the tension-filled space and went straight to the vending machine near the elevators. She didn’t want to drink coffee, and without seeing some of the labels on the cans of soda, she opted for bottled water.

Bending down, she twisted off the cap and pressed the button for the elevator. Stepping inside, she closed her eyes, resting her head back against the wall.

“Hold the elevator,” Taylor said.

Opening her eyes, Scarlett watched as Taylor stepped onto the elevator.

“You’re leaving?”

“No. I just needed some air. Axton should be here for his best friend, and I’m here for him.” Taylor stood in the corner of the elevator. “I’m sorry you had to see that.”

“I don’t care,” she said.

“You’ve known Easton a long time?”

“No,” Scarlett said.

“You have a son.”

“We do.”

Taylor smiled. “Forgive me, but how do you have a son and not know each other?”

Scarlett stared at Taylor and Liam’s words kept playing in her mind. She didn’t owe this woman an explanation.

“I know enough about Easton to know he’s hurt by something that happened in the past,” she said. “Why are you so determined to live in it?”

“Carla was my best friend. She was pregnant when she died, with Easton’s child.”

“Did he kill her?” Scarlett asked. “I saw the papers about the incident. The exposé on his dad. Easton had nothing to blame.”

“He should never have been near her. If he’d just left her alone, she would be alive now.”

Scarlett stared at the woman and shook her head. “You don’t know that.”

“The only reason Nial Long killed her was because of Easton.”

“So you’re going to blame him all of his life?”

Taylor gritted her teeth and looked away. “You don’t understand.”

“No, you don’t understand. I get you’re upset about your friend dying and I’m truly sorry for what happened. I really am, but holding it against Easton is just fucking wrong.” Scarlett couldn’t believe she was having this conversation. “He didn’t kill her. He didn’t put his hands on her, so why should he be the one to suffer all the time for it? You don’t think he’s suffered enough? He’s not been plagued by guilt. He’s in that hospital bed because he was seeing his dead girlfriend and didn’t tell anyone about it.”

“Good! He deserves it.”

Scarlett reacted. She didn’t even know what was happening. One minute she was standing in her corner holding the bottle of water. The next moment, she had her hands wrapped around Taylor’s throat, pressing her up against the corner of the elevator.