Choosing Henley(57)

His mother runs her hands through his hair as she bends over to kiss his forehead. “My sweet boy,” she whispers, a tear sliding down her cheek.

I’m completely overwhelmed in the small room. Now that I can see him, now that I know I never want to wait for a single thing with him again, I can’t stop the words from coming out. “I love you,” I say out loud—loud enough for both his parents to hear. I don’t care though. All I want is for him to hear it. For him to finally hear me say it.

Patti and John both turn towards me, her with tears in her eyes and him with a grin that matches his son’s.

“Come here, sweetie,” he says, opening his arms, and I walk right into them, crying the moment his arms fold around me.

“Are you trying to steal my girl, Dad?” a gravelly voice says, and I open my eyes to see those perfect chocolate ones staring back at me.

His father pulls away from me, chuckling. “Not when I already have the love of my life,” John says back, wrapping Patti in a hug from behind.

I stare at him, unable to pry my eyes away from his handsome face.

“We will give you two a minute,” Patti says before they walk out of the room.

I feel another tear slide over my cheek. “I love you,” I say again.

“I told you so.” He grins cheekily from the bed. “Come here.” He moves over as I walk over to the side of his bed. “Lie with me.”

“I don’t want to hurt you,” I croak out.

“You won’t, beautiful. I want to feel you. Come here.”

I climb into the bed beside him, placing an arm around his waist and tucking my head into the crook of his arm. “I was so scared,” I confess, my body shaking again with soft cries.

“Shhh. I’m okay, baby,” he says, stroking my hair. “Everything is going to be okay.”

“I never should have waited,” I confess. “I never should have waited to tell you I love you. I always have.”

He lifts my chin with his finger, tipping my eyes up to meet his. “See? You just needed a little push.”

“Don’t you dare make a joke out of this.” I smack him with my hand and he groans. “Oh my god, I’m so sorry.” I panic, feeling his chest all over with my hands.

He grabs my hand, pressing it over his heart. “I love you, Beatle.”

“I love you, Jamison Henley.”





MY HEEL CATCHES on the paving stones and I curse out loud. I have no idea why the girls insisted on this weird ladies’ night out. About a week ago, they declared that we had all been ‘downright knockouts’ in our New Year’s Eve dresses and should take them out for another spin. Normally, we would have all gotten ready together to go out, but I had a late appointment who’d personally requested me at the salon. I had to get ready at the salon and meet them there.


It’s been a little over five months since Jami’s accident. He made a full recovery and moved me in a week later—Greyson-style. I still kept my half of the condo I share with Beth and continued to rent the room to Peyton. I was worried about leaving her with her nightmares. I was the only one who knew about them and Beth was never around to hear them.

Beth is still seeing that slimy asshole and has become more and more distant. Every time we try to talk to her about it, she gets defensive and the conversation ends up going nowhere. Even if this night is totally ridiculous, I am happy that she’ll be there.

I cross the courtyard to Bill’s, noting that the lineup seems nonexistent for a Saturday night. The bouncer at the door smiles and lets me inside. That’s odd. They always check our IDs even though we’ve been coming here since we turned nineteen. I shrug it off, slowly climbing the stairs in my glittery heels.

Being that it’s summer, I don’t have a coat to check, so I make my way straight down towards the entrance to the bar. I hear the music playing loudly and stop dead when I take in the bar. It’s like complete déjà vu.

It looks exactly the same as it did on New Year’s Eve except that it is completely empty. There are black and white balloons covering every square inch of the ceiling, their strings dangling down. Twinkle lights are wrapped around every beam, and in the middle of the dance floor, in the same outfit he had on that night, is Jami. He looks just as breathtaking as he did that night in black slacks and a black button-down dress shirt.

Suddenly, the song changes over and “I Need You” by The Beatles starts playing through the sound system.

You don't realize how much I need you.

Love you all the time and never leave you.

Please come on back to me.

I'm lonely as can be. I need you.