“Ella, what happened?” Kirsten’s eyes danced over the baby on my lap.
“Ryder was helping me.” I closed my eyes, hating that I’d have to live this nightmare again.
I broke down, giving as much detail as I could stomach, omitting anything that would reflect badly on Ryder. It was more than apparent Ryder still held a lot of resentment for being locked away. I didn’t want to overstep and give more than he would want me to share.
Oblivion
Chapter 35—Rellik
Oblivion: the state of being unaware or unconscious of what is happening
I blinked awake, the light painful on my eyes and my head swimming. I was high, my body liquid.
“Stay,” a voice commanded as I felt pressure against my shoulder. I struggled against the force but couldn’t move.
“His vitals are good,” another voice called out. “You dodged a bullet, son. So to speak.”
I drifted back off into oblivion, but it wasn’t Katie’s face I saw. I stared into Ella’s wide, frightened eyes when she thought she had lost me forever. Before that moment I’d never thought anyone would care if I died. Truth be told, I thought they would be relieved, not having to carry the burden of knowing me any longer. I lived with reckless abandon, convinced that death would finally cease the perpetual ache of losing the girl I loved. I never thought it was possible to have that feeling again. My heart was broken, but so was Ella’s, and those pieces fit together. In my darkest hours, she found something in me to love, even when I couldn’t love myself. In all of the evil I’d done, I’d somehow managed to save her, and she would save me from myself.
“I love you.”
Those words. Ella was the only reason my heart still had the will to beat. I couldn’t leave it unsaid again. I needed to make sure she knew that I loved her.
I had no idea how much time had passed since I had been shot, but as my eyes blinked open, all the pain in the world couldn’t stop me from smiling at the sight of Ella. The fluorescent lighting overhead looked like a halo around her beautiful face. Perfect for the angel she was to me.
“You scared me,” she said with a smile as her eyes clouded over with tears.
“I love you.” I couldn’t waste another minute without letting her know how I felt.
“I love you.” She wrapped her thin fingers around mine and squeezed my hand.
I tried to sit up, but the pain was too much, and I groaned in agony as a nurse patted my left arm. “Don’t try to get up just yet. Give your body time to heal.”
“Where’s Macie?” Panic began to set in as I realized Ella’s arms were empty.
“Your mother is holding her.” She glanced over her shoulder as my mother stepped forward.
“How are you feeling?” my mother asked as she rubbed her hand over Macie’s back.
“Complete.” I reached my hand out, and my mother dipped lower so I could run my fingers over Macie’s head. My mother smiled as she took a step back, and Phantom took her place next to me.
“You scared the hell out of us.”
I sighed, not wanting to hear how I put our band on the line for Ella.
“But now I know why. Next time, call me first. I would have been there with you.”
“I will.” I nodded as I stared at Ella, unable to take my eyes off her.
“All right, enough of this sappy shit,” Hangman called from the foot of the bed and everyone laughed, easing the tension.
“Don’t say shit in front of his mom, man.” Trig slapped Hang on the chest.
“You just said shit in front of his mom too.” He slapped him back, and Trig hit him in the back of the head.
“You just fucking said it again,” Trig snapped, and Ella got lost in a fit of giggles.
“All right, boys. This is a hospital.” The nurse gave them a stern look with her fists on her hips. The both mumbled apologies as she shook her head. “Let’s let Mr. Bentley sleep. He needs his rest.”
I gripped Ella’s hand so she wouldn’t go as the others filed out of the room.
“You know how they say when you are close to death, your life flashes before your eyes?”
“Yes.”
“It’s not true. All I saw was my future. All I saw was you and Macie. I won’t ever put that in jeopardy again. I promise.”
Monster
Epilogue—Rellik
Monster: Ryder “Rellik” Bentley
It had been two years since I was shot. The wound had healed long ago, leaving behind a small scar that was a constant reminder of the moment Ella told me she loved me for the first time. The other events of that day faded into the background, letting my past remain where it belonged. Coach was dead, and Bryce committed suicide after hearing that his father had been killed and the police were looking for him.