VERSUS (Second Chances 2)

I curl my fist around it. “I’ll see to it that she gets it.”

“She hasn’t had it easy.” She tilts

her head. “She deserves to be happy.”

“I’ll do everything in my power to make that happen.”

She glances over at Eden. “I can tell that you will.”

***

I roll the piece of sea glass in my hand.

It’s been hours since Noelle left.

Eden hasn’t moved. Her breathing is still calm. Her lip is more swollen than it was earlier.

“I love you,” I whisper. “I wanted to tell you the night we graduated.”

I take her right hand, cupping it in mine.

“I’m sorry that I let you down.” I choke back a sob. “I’m so sorry that I hurt you.”

I rest my lips against her open palm. A smudge of dried blood is there.

I reach for a tissue to rub it off, trying to ward off the mental image of the accident.

The nurse who is watching over Eden had only sparse details to share. She got those from the paramedics who were on scene.

The roads were wet and slick. Eden’s car careened down an embankment and came to rest against a tree.

The airbag deployed.

That likely saved her life.

“I should have been there to protect you from all of it.” I press her hand to my cheek. “From everything you’ve been through.”

One of her fingers brushes against the side of my nose.

My eyes pop open. “Eden? Wake up.”

Her fingers stir again, branching out across my cheek.

“It’s me,” I whisper against her cheek. “Open your beautiful eyes.”

She does.

Slow flutters of her eyelashes reveal those gorgeous blue irises.

“Eden,” I choke back a sob. “I’m here.”

She swallows, wincing in pain.

“I’ll get the doctor.” I start to pull away. “Let me get the nurse.”

“Dylan,” she whispers my name so softly that I can barely make it out over the beeping of the monitor. “Am I dreaming?”

I huff out a laugh. “You’re awake. Thank fuck you’re awake.”