“And you deserved to be cheated on, humiliated . . . cast aside?”

I didn’t say anything as I shifted on the bed. I didn’t want to talk about E anymore.

“In here it is easy to avoid what is bothering you, but tomorrow you are going to be out there again and you can’t run forever. Trust me. I tried that once.”

THE DOCTOR LOOKED over the cuts on my arms. I was slowly starting to heal, both inside and out. As scared as I was to leave this place, I was going stir-crazy after four days of this. I wanted to see Jenny again and find out everything about her life since I had left.

“You’re all set. Take care of yourself.” He patted me on the shoulder as I slid off the chair and walked back to my room.

As I changed into my street clothes, the nurse popped her head into my room with a bright smile on her face. “Your sister is here for you. I have her waiting down the hall at the front desk.”

“Thank you.” I smiled. I glanced around the sterile space and took a deep breath before heading out into the hallway. Jenny’s eyes met mine and she ran down the hall toward me, pulling me in for a hug.

“I missed you,” she said, and I pulled back as I tucked my hair behind my ear. It was overwhelming. She looped her arm in mine and began walking with me down the hall to the double doors. “Come on. I have someone waiting for you.” I stopped walking, unsure if I could handle seeing my mom yet. I had run off, no explanation, and she had no idea if I was even alive for all of this time. “It’s going to be fine. I promise you. I’m with you now.”

I slowly began to walk again. The nurse who stood by the doors slid his card so they would open, and we made our way to the elevator. The doors opened and a nurse stepped out as we slid in and pressed the button for the first floor.

Chapter Forty-One

ERIC

THIS ISN’T YOUR fault.” Cass leaned back against the wall next to me as I stared at Tuck and the twins.

“I just need to take some time off.” I flexed my hands, my fingers still throbbing from my fight with Derek.

The doors opened in front of us and we all stopped talking as our eyes fell on Sarah and her sister, Jenny.

Sarah looked completely shocked, her eyes wide, but Jenny was smiling at all of us. They stepped forward, their arms linked together.

Cass flew forward, wrapping her arms around Sarah as they both laughed.

“I am so glad you are okay,” Cass whispered, and kissed Sarah on the cheek.

“I didn’t think you guys would be here,” Sarah said, and I took a deep breath, not realizing how much I had missed the sound of her voice. I stood there just watching as everyone hugged her and told her how much they’d missed her.

Eventually the conversation died down and her eyes met mine. Everyone took notice.

“We’ll wait out at the car,” Cass said as she placed her hand on Sarah’s shoulder, then all the guys but me followed Cass toward the front doors.

“You okay?” Jenny asked, and Sarah nodded, her eyes still on me. Jenny followed the others, leaving only Sarah and me.

She took a step closer and I stayed against the wall, my hands shoved in my pockets.

“I didn’t think I would see you again,” she said shakily.

“I’m so sorry, Sarah.” I shook my head as I swallowed down the lump in my throat.

“I’m the one who should be sorry. I put you through a lot of shit.”

I laughed as I thought over how much we had been through the past week. “I’m just glad you’re okay.”

“Are you okay?”

“I am now.” I wanted to reach out and wrap my arms around her, but I forced myself not to move. “I thought you . . .” I cleared my throat as I tried not to relive the feelings of helplessness when I didn’t know if she was even alive.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered, and took another step closer.

“Hey, I’ve gotten to meet Jenny. She’s a lot like you, but her taste in music sucks,” I joked, and Sarah smiled. God I loved to see her smile.

“We will have to fix that.”

It didn’t slip by me that she had said we.

“The world is waiting.” I pushed from the wall and began walking toward the front door with Sarah at my side.

Jenny was waiting just outside the doors, leaning against her car. The band was standing around a dark SUV parked in front of her.

I blew out a heavy breath and turned to Sarah. I hated spending a second away from her, but I knew what she needed right now was her family. Jenny and I had talked for hours about Sarah’s life, and I knew I had to do what was best for her, not me.

“Don’t party too hard,” I said with a smile that I knew didn’t reach my eyes.

“You’re not coming with me?”

I shook my head and she wrapped her arms around my neck. I slowly let mine circle her body, not sure if I would ever be able to let her go.

“Please don’t leave me, too,” she whispered against my ear, and I stiffened, hating myself for having to walk away.

Tucker’s hand landed on my shoulder and he pulled me back. I reluctantly let go of Sarah and watched as her sister opened the car door for her to get in.

“Come on, man. She’ll be fine,” Chris said, then through the windshield of her sister’s car I watched Sarah fasten her seat belt.

Chapter Forty-Two

SARAH

THERE WERE NO words to describe the pain of watching E get in his car and pull away. I was left with a virtual stranger. Jenny grabbed my hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze before pulling out onto the road.

“Mom is really excited to see you,” she said as I reached out to turn off the annoying pop music that blared through the speakers. I found a station playing classic rock and turned up the volume to let Jenny know I didn’t feel like talking.

My entire world had changed so quickly I didn’t even know who I was anymore. I didn’t have a boyfriend or a band. Suddenly, I had my family back . . . and E was gone.

We drove for nearly three hours and only stopped to get gas and a bite to eat. I didn’t say a word to Jenny, but she didn’t seem to mind the silence between us.

We turned off on a tree-lined street with small, two-story houses lining the way. The car slowed and pulled off in front of a pale blue home with white shutters. I looked over at Jenny.

She smiled brightly at me. “It’s going to be fine. I promise.”

I nodded and she slipped out of the driver’s side as I opened my door and pushed to my feet. I groaned and stretched as I stared at the house.

Jenny came to my side and linked her arm in mine as she had at the hospital. “Come on.”

I reluctantly walked toward the front door and waited for Jenny to open it and step inside.

“Mom?” she called out as I followed her in. The house was small but clean, and the walls were lined with pictures. My eyes danced over then as I examined how sad I had looked as a child.

“Jenny, have you brought her home?” a familiar voice called from another room, and I clamped my hand over my mouth to keep from crying out. I hadn’t realized how much I had missed my mother until I heard her voice for the first time in too many years.

“Come on.” Jenny’s eyes lit up and she headed down a narrow hallway. She paused at a closed door and looked to me before pushing it open.

As I stepped inside, my eyes scanned the bedroom. It was pale pink and the curtains were white lace. The sun shone through the curtains, covering the walls with a crazy shadowy pattern. My eyes fell to the bed, with a matching pink blanket, and my mother propped up with pillows. She looked so much older, and almost frail. She was bedridden from a bad case of the flu. Jenny said my mother’s health had deteriorated over the years, but it didn’t prepare me for seeing her, once so beautiful and active, now so much older and weak.

“Mom?” I could barely hear my own voice.