Chapter 49. Come Back to Us

Everything slowed down after the heated morning, excitement, and small victory.

The house felt quiet in a heavy way as Myla packed a bag for Hayden’s hospital stay.

Beck stood on the balcony, staring at the city’s skyline. The sky was gray with heavy clouds, the kind of color that warned of rain. His hands were squeezing the railing so hard that his knuckles whitened without realizing it.

Hayden’s wheelchair whirled softly against the floor as he joined him.

“I can see the gears in your head grinding,” he said quietly. 

He turned and tried to smile, but it was weak. “Are you really going to go through with this?”

Hayden didn’t answer right away. His eyes went past him, to the skyline, the lines of his face sharp and tight with hidden worry. “Yeah. I have to,” he said after a while. “I can’t keep living like this, B. I love you guys too much to keep making y’all live halfway with me.”

“I know it’s your life, your choice. But it’s