Page 18 of Remnants

Nora

FIFTEEN

She chose him.

After everything I did. She took that sick motherfucker and left me.

“Stop it,” Mac orders as he continues to drive us outside of town to a hospital. I wanted to fight him but honestly, I hurt too much physically and emotionally. A crap ton of painkillers would be nice about now.

“Stop what?” I grumble while glaring out the window. Rain is beginning to hit the car and there is thunder off in the distance.

“She is trying to save your ass,” Mac says with a sigh as he pulls into the small hospital. “She promised she would see you soon. She promised she is choosing you. Have some faith.”

I sigh as he pulls up to the entrance. “Bub.” I hate how my voice cracks as I speak. “I don’t want her in trouble.”

Mac pats my leg as he waves someone in scrubs over to help me.

“Listen, I think we need to give Katie a little more credit. I know you’ve been having to play her protector, but kid, you didn’t see her when I picked her up from the doctor.

She’s a strong woman and I think it took a strong woman like you to help that part of her wake up.

Have faith in your girl.” I don’t want to listen to him.

I would rather close off and shut down now to save myself the pain of thinking she may not come back to me.

James has been able to manipulate her into staying every other time, why would it be different now?

“You’ll take care of Sam, right?” I know I don’t have to ask, but I still do—mainly because I know this is where he and I part and I don’t want to be alone. Mac nods and gives me a reassuring smile.

“Let me get him set up in my hotel room and I’ll be back. You’re not alone, kid.”

Not alone.

I’ve always been the leader, the decision maker, the hero.

And when you’re those things, your life is lonely.

Sure, everyone flocks to you because they need you, but when you need help, when you’re the one hurt and scared, there’s no one there.

But that’s not the case here. Katie came back for me despite me trying to stop it from happening.

And I know she’s taking James to the hospital to try and keep me out of prison.

She is with me, and even though she’s not next to me, she’s here.

So maybe Mac is right—maybe I need to have a little faith in my girl.