He’s gone…. My best friend. The man I thought of as a brother. Gone just like that. She showed no remorse. Just pointed the gun and shot him. I sit quietly in the hospital waiting room as Jen gets checked out. However, I’m not alone long as I hear heels clicking on the floor.
“Ayden” says a voice.
I look up to see Jen’s mother staring down at me. Her voice full of hatred and her eyes burning into me. How can she be so ungrateful? Her daughter is safe, her ex husband and sister are locked up. Her life can return to normal. She can move on and enjoy it, unlike poor Tucker.
“Jen wants to see you.”
I quickly stand up and walk towards the room. I need to see her, I need her comfort me. Why is it everyone I care for leaves in the end? First my mother, then grandmother, my father and now Tucker. Jen is all I have left and I refuse to let her go.
A hand grabs hold of my elbow and I turn to look at Jen’s mother. “This is the last time you will see my daughter, do you understand?” My jaw drops open and I just stare at her. “She’s going to go on and forget about this. She doesn’t need a reminder of what happened.”
“Why?” I gasp, feeling as if something has hit me in the chest. “Why would you be this cruel?”
“Cruel?” she repeats as she throws my hand down by my side. “I am protecting her. I don’t know what has happened between you two, but it ends today. If you care for my daughter, you won’t punish her.” She folds her arms across her chest. “You tell her what you need to, but you make sure this is last time you speak.”
“Ms Hopkins...” I protest.
She holds her hand up which makes me stop. “Like I said, if you care for her your let her go.”
Her words hit me hard and I simply nod. I turn on my heel and walk towards Jen’s room. I want to break down now. I open the door and look at Jen just lying on the bed. Her blue eyes meet mine and my heart thumps against my chest. This is it…. My first love. I begin to replay all those moments we have shared in my head.
Her mother is right and I have always known that it couldn’t go any further. I swallow back the lump in my throat and walk towards her bedside.
“Oh Ayden” she cries, standing up and wrapping her arms around my neck. “Please tell me Tucker is okay.”
I hold her tight against me and just shake my head. Her whole body sags against mine and I hold her closer. I inhale her sweet scent, knowing it will be the last time. Its official, everyone I care about is gone. Her words hit me… “Its just I felt sorry for you in Summerton. You lived all alone and there was no sign of a family.” What is they say, that lies can become reality?
I will be alone now, with just my job to keep me company. It hurts hugging her and I pull away. Her blue eyes looking up at me in wonder. I can see it written across her face, she thinks I’m the hero. I’m not. I’m about to break her heart and walk away.
“Jen,” I sigh, I can’t help it. My forefinger and thump take hold of her chin. “I need to go and sort a few things out. The station needs a report and I need to make a few calls.”
“You’re coming back, right?”
“Yes,” I lie. “I’ll be back…” I don’t why I do it. Maybe I’m just a sucker for punishment. I lean down and press my lips firmly on hers. Those lips I will remember forever. They’re softness, the way they feel perfect against mine.
“I love you” she moans, as her fingers grip in my hair and she her tongue glides across my bottom lip. “Never leave me, Ayden. Never leave me.”
I slowly pulling away and just simply nod. “I promise” I give her another kiss on the forehead and quickly restore myself. “Be good and do what they say. I’ll be back in a while.” I turn on my heel and leave the room. I was hired to protect her, shame, because the only person she needed protection from was me.