Page 108 of Stay With Me

“You’re right. But, just, please remember what I said.”

“I’ll always remember. I promise,” she said in a voice so sweet that the words began to fall out of his mouth almost too quickly for him to stop them.

“I need you to know how much I… Just that I—”

He huffed loudly, and then lowered his voice while rubbing his hand over his eyes. “I want to tell you something. Like, I want to say things to you, but it’s not the right time yet. And I just hope you’re still around long enough for the right time to get here.”

“Nick, I’m not going anywhere. I promise.”

“Promise?”

“Cross my heart. Try to get some rest. I’ll see you this afternoon.”

“Okay.”

“Bye, Nick.”

“Bye.” He dropped the phone. “I love you.”

* * *

Bzz-bzz.

Nick jerked the phone to his line of sight.

Try not to be nervous. I’m sorry I couldn’t be there,Sammie’s message read.

He fumbled out a reply as he trembled with nerves.Don’t be sorry. I’ll just be glad when this is over.

I’m thinking about you! I’ll see you in a few hours,came her reply.

Can’t wait,he messaged back, then set the phone down to look expectantly at Dr. Reagan, the kindly old man who was veering dangerously close with what appeared to be a standard set of pliers.

“Uh…” Nick stammered.

“Don’t worry, Nick,” Dr. Reagan assured him. “This isn’t going to hurt. You ready?”

Nick sucked in his breath. “Yup. Let’s do this.”

Dr. Reagan placed a pair of pliers on the first pin, and Nick’s gaze involuntarily darted to the ceiling as he braced himself.

Click.

He allowed himself to glance back down and saw the pin was now gone. The air whooshed out of his lungs.

“Not bad, right?” Dr. Reagan asked.

“Yeah, not at all,” Nick agreed.

“You’re almost free, sport,” James said from across the room.

“And let’s try not to have a repeat of this, Nicholas,” Evelyn suggested in a firm tone.

Nick gave an assertive nod. “I think that is an excellent idea, Mom.”

Dr. Regan chuckled amidst a steady series ofclicksandclips.“A hiking accident, huh?”

“He fell off acliff,”Evelyn asserted.