“We’re taking her to Mission if you want to let the next of kin know,” one of the paramedics says before they rush off with Bliss on the stretcher.
“Do you know how to get in touch with them?” I turn to Ashton for help. If I have to, I’ll call an old friend of Eli’s and find out. I’d do anything for her now that I’ve realized how much she means to me. I’m still unable to process the quick changes of my heart.
“Her brother’s name is Royce. Shouldn’t be hard to find from the front desk. I’ll go talk to them. You write up the report. I’ll let you know when I hear something.”
Ashton runs in the direction of the hotel. I simply stand there in shock, thinking about what could have happened, how close I came to losing her. I have to give us a chance. This is more than some social boundary standing between us.
BLISS
After I was released from the hospital, my mother gave me one of her lectures. It was more exhausting than almost dying.
My life is a mess. That’s what the fall from the pier showed me. I was irresponsible and reckless. My emotions took over logical sense. Once upon a time, I was a clear-headed medical-school student. Now, I’m just a hot mess.
“Are you sure you’re going to be okay alone?” Cassy asks.
She came by after my mother left me with a headache. Her concern for me is more genuine than that of the woman who gave birth to me.
“Yeah, I just need to sleep. I’ll be fine for the rehearsal dinner,” I respond, picking up a piece of fruit from the platter Royce had delivered to my room.
She sighs and pats the couch where she’s sitting. “Real talk?”
I’m taken aback by her wanting to have a heart to heart. I haven’t done that in a long time.
I pick up my teacup and join her on the couch, every muscle in my body tense from what’s about to come.
Cassy pushes her hair to the side and puts a stern look on her face. I wonder if she uses this look with my brother. It’s quite frightening.
“I don’t think you’re this person. Royce explained everything to me. With what happened to Tilly.”
The sound of my sister’s name coming out of her mouth makes me tense up. I grip the teacup a little harder and try not to throw the liquid in her face.
“I don’t want to talk about her.” I adjust my leg underneath me and take a sip of my tea. The sting of the hot brew burns my tongue, but I welcome it.
“That’s the problem, Bliss. You haven’t talked about it, with anyone. You’ve held it all inside and turned to partying and drinking. It’s not healthy.”
Anger bubbles up inside of me. I slam my cup on the coffee table that’s between the two sofas.
Standing, I pull my robe tighter, mustering the meanest expression I can, but the tears that have been threatening all day fall before I can stop them. She’s right, but fuck if I’d admit it.
“Tilly is gone. There’s nothing to talk about. My parents killed her, and I couldn’t stop them. They knew the treatment was experimental, and yet they did it. They threw money at the doctors and expected them to fix her, but they couldn’t and she died. She died and left me here to fucking deal with all of this.”
I clutch my robe tighter around me as I get up. Turning away from her, I stalk to the mini bar. I need a fucking drink.
“Stop it,” Cassy says, twirling me around and grabbing onto my forearms. “You’re better than this. Smarter. Don’t let their mistake end your life, too.”
Her words cut deep, but there’s nothing I can do now. She doesn’t understand my pain. All the turmoil I’ve collected over the last two years has settled inside of me like tar, coating every part of me in darkness.
Shrugging her off, I open the fridge, looking for the reprieve I so desperately crave. Her exasperation sounds from behind me. It makes me pause for a moment. This woman I don’t know has taken it upon herself to be the first to help me. Royce hasn’t ever had this conversation with me.
I slam the fridge door shut and turn toward her, empty-handed. Her eyebrows raise in surprise as she crosses her arms, waiting for me to say something.
“Why do you care so much? It doesn’t make sense to me.”
“You’re about to become my family. Of course, I care. I don’t take my relationships lightly. Royce is your brother and he’ll always be there for you, but I want to be there for you as a friend. I can’t take Tilly’s place, but I want you to know you have an ally. Someone to count on when your mother gets—”
“Horrible? Bitchy? Aggravating?” I smile.
“Exactly. She’s not the easiest. We need to join forces.”
I laugh because if my mother is anything, it’s not easy. She’s a socialite. A perfect specimen of the entitled. She throws money at her problems or simply walks away. Royce is her star. Tilly was her moon. I’m what’s left.
“I’d like that. It’s been . . . a long time.”
She nods, picking her bag up from one of the chairs in the sitting room. “The bachelorette party is tonight if you change your mind. Desi and Emerson will be happy to see you.”
The thoughtful look she gives me almost makes me cave, but I can’t go out. Not with them. I don’t trust myself enough.
“I think it’s best I don’t.”
Holding out her arms, she offers me a hug. It’s been so long since I’ve had physical comfort from a female that I sink into it.
“I’ll see you tomorrow at the restaurant. Are you bringing someone?”
A smile passes my lips as I think about introducing everyone to Ashton. He’s going to be the perfect buffer.
“Ashton. He’s exactly what the party needs.”
“I like him
