Chapter 41
Chapter Forty-One
By the time they got back to Eric’s house, it was almost three in the morning.
Emma didn’t want to leave Nell in the last few hours before she would check in at rehab.
Matthias hadn’t argued, and she was glad he’d decided to crash on Eric’s couch rather than return to the already paid-for hotel room.
Emma and Nell shared the guest room, attempting and failing to get a few hours’ sleep. Instead, they talked in whispered tones, much like they had as kids, not wanting to wake their parents.
In the faint glow filtering through the curtains from a streetlight, Emma rolled to one side and looked at her sister. “Tell me something.”
“Something,” Nell replied with a snicker.
Emma ignored the quip. “What happened back there? At Ashley’s house. When you were in the kitchen. Did she hurt you?”
“No.” Nell folded her hands behind her head and gazed up at the ceiling. “She seemed to know what you were up to. More than I did, really. She picked up a knife and pointed it at me. Said if I made a peep she would kill you.”
“I’m pretty sure she intended to kill me anyway.”
“I know. That’s why I did my best to sneak up on her.” Nell reached down and thumped on her cast. “Hard to be stealthy while dragging this thing around.”
“You did good.”
“I think you had her pretty well in hand by the time I got my licks in.”
“I’m serious. You did great. You might’ve saved my life back there.”
Nell snickered.
They grew silent. Emma thought her sister had dozed off.
But after a few minutes, Nell said, “I’m gonna be fine.”
“I believe you.” And Emma meant it.
“I have a plan.”
Emma listened as Nell mapped out her intentions.
Studying while in rehab. Applying to colleges that offered studies in Physical Therapy.
“I’ve been doing the research. I’ll need to get a bachelor’s degree first, and then a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree.
While I’m in school, I’ll start teaching yoga again. ”
“Sounds good. I’ll be your first student.”
“No, you won’t,” Nell said. “You’ll be in Erie.”
“I’m not leaving you to face this alone.”
“You won’t be. Erie’s not that far. You can drive down to visit me, and as soon as I’m able, I’ll come visit you.” Nell nudged her. “And Matthias.”
“I thought you never wanted to see Erie again.”
“Right now, I don’t; but I plan to work through my demons in rehab. All my demons.”
“Are you sure you’re okay with me not being here?”
“I’m positive. Matthias is terrific. I mean, the way he came busting through that door? The man’s a superhero.” Nell burst into giggles.
Emma couldn’t help but snicker. “Yeah, he is.”
“You’d be an idiot to let him get away.” Nell pushed up to brace herself on one elbow and looked down at Emma. “Besides, I don’t need you putting that added stress on me.”
Surprised, Emma asked, “What added stress?”
“The stress of knowing you gave up on the best thing that’s ever happened to you because of me.”
Emma stared up at the ceiling. In all of her circumspection over how to deal with Matthias and Nell and her role in both their lives, she’d never once considered her ultimate decision being an added burden for her sister. “Okay.”
“Really?” Nell sounded doubtful.
“Really. Then again, Matthias might decide I’m not worth the trouble.”
“Oh, poo.” Nell flopped back down on the bed. “That man is over the moon in love with you.”
I hope so. Emma didn’t say it out loud. Didn’t want to get into a further debate. But she truly did hope so.
Because she was over the moon in love with him.