I shook my head with a smile. “Don’t mess with me, old man. I’ve made a decision, and believe me when I say that this is the hardest fucking decision I have ever had to make in my whole life.”
Humphrey’s smile disappeared as he looked at me seriously. “Okay, Dean, anything you need. I’ll go get the doc for you.”
Chapter 23
Tyler
It was a couple of weeks later and things were starting to get strange. I would go to visit Dean in the hospital, but he remained unconscious. Humphrey was very quiet and, sometimes, I would find him staring at me with a somber look on his face. Something was off, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. When I visited yesterday, Humphrey hugged me when I left and told me to take good care of myself. I frowned and asked him why he was saying it, but he just shrugged it off and said that I needed to eat and sleep more. He even joked that Dean wasn’t worth all the stress and that running away with him would be better. We laughed, but it didn’t stop the nagging feeling that something was amiss. In fact, I thought it was so amiss that I found myself getting ready a hell of a lot quicker than normal to go and see him.
Jeremy wanted to come, but something was telling me not to bring him. In the end, I made an excuse that Jimmy wanted to play in the pool with him, so we could go back to the hospital later. That seemed to keep him happy.
I rushed to the hospital as fast as I could and took the lift to the second floor. Once out, I rushed to Dean’s room, but the closer I got, the more the sinking feeling seemed to barrel down on me.
Once at the door, I took a deep breath and pushed it open. I walked in and saw an empty bed. No one was there. There was nothing even to suggest anyone had even been there. The bed was even made up with new sheets.
I felt a noise behind me and when I spun around, I saw Evan standing there, looking sheepish. My panic rose. “Evan?” My eyes pooled with tears. “Please don’t tell me he’s—”
He shook his head. “No. He, erm…” He placed his hand on the back of his neck and it was then that I saw he had a letter in his hand. “He left this morning with his uncle. They’ve flown back to the UK.”
My eyes widened as the tears streamed down. “But he’s sick. He can’t go back.”
“I told him he needed to stay for a couple more weeks, then he was deemed fit to fly. He’ll get more care once he gets back home.”
I shook my head, wondering if I heard correctly. “Sorry? Two weeks ago he said this? Every time I’ve visited he’s been unconscious.”
Evan bit his lip and looked down. “He regained consciousness about two weeks back. He’s just been waiting for the moment he could fly back home.”
I stumbled a little and reached out for the bed. I sat on the edge and just stared. How could he do this to me? I thought this was what he wanted. He had chased me, for fuck’s sake. Not the other way around. He came for me again, only to break my heart again… and now he’s fucked off? The bastard!
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Evan motioning with his hand. I looked up and could see it was the letter he was holding. “He asked me to give you this.”
I nodded and took it from him. I didn’t want to say anything because I was afraid I’d say something I’d regret. I was angry at him. I was angry at Humphrey. But, mostly, I was angry at Dean for being a coward and running away. He should have stayed and faced me. Instead, he got Evan and Humphrey to cover for him so he could plan his escape.
Yes, saying nothing was a good idea.
Once I took the letter from Evan, he stood there for a moment and watched me. When I didn’t say anything, he cleared his throat. “I’d better get back to work.”
He walked out of the door, leaving me with the letter in my hand. I paused for a moment and stroked the letters on the envelope. I then ripped it open and started reading.
Tyler,
By now, you must know that I’ve recovered enough to go home. I know you’ll be angry at Evan for keeping this from you, but please don’t be. He wants what is best for you just as much as I do, and it’s this reason I’ve decided to let you go.
I’ve failed both you and Jeremy, and nothing in this world will ever begin to make up the hurt I’ve caused, the danger I’ve brought, and the unimaginable pain I’ve left you with knowing I let that scumbag take our son. I have let you down in the worst way, and I’m truly sorry. If I could wave a magic wand and take it all back, I would…but I can’t.
I’m a selfish man, Tyler. I hunted you down and pursued you relentlessly because I was thinking about my own needs above anyone else’s. That selfishness brought you danger which, for me, is beyond repair. I will never forgive myself after what I’ve done to you, and for what I’ve done to Jeremy. You are both better off without me. In fact, you were doing fine without me. You have brought up a beautiful, intelligent boy, and I am extremely proud of that. Our son will never want for anything, and I can go away a happy man knowing that he has the best mum in the world. I will support you, Tyler. I promise you that. I will send money once a month so that you have everything you need to bring up our son. Anything you need, just ask and I will get it for you. That, at least, you can rely on.