His Obsession (The Off Your Rocker Duet #2)

Chapter One

COLT

They say the moment before you die, your life flashes before your eyes.

Did something like that happen to Dee?

I wonder if she felt nothing but bliss before she flat-lined? I hope so, and that wherever her soul is right now, she’s happy and not seeing the mess that I am without her.

I tighten my grip on her hand and lower my head to the gurney, hiding my tears from the bastards hovering around me. I sit in silence, waiting.

Waiting for what, I don’t even know.

It’s not like she’s just going to wake up.

Dee lies still—too still. Her face, as beautiful as ever, is pale. Her skin is cold to the touch, her body lifeless.

Even with all those people around us, I let go of her hand. I don’t know why. I was holding her so tightly.

I should have held on.

I should have fought harder.

I failed her.

And now, all I have left is the motionless body of the woman I love more than anything I’ve ever loved in my entire life.

If I could take her place, I wouldn’t hesitate.

“Mr. Slade, if you don’t mind me saying so, you’ve been here for hours. Miss Norman’s situation isn’t going to change anytime soon. Why don’t you get yourself something to eat and have a rest? You look exhausted, and we don’t want you to end up being a patient instead of a visitor,” the nurse says.

I glare at her. “I’m not leaving her! I don’t care if I have to spend the rest of my life here. I’m not leaving her side. Not ever! You got that?” I reply loudly.

“Mr. Slade, you know, eventually they will have to move her. You need to eat or drink something. People want to see you in the waiting room. Maybe they could help you if you let them?”

I want to punch her right in the face. “Cheer me up? You think I can be cheered up when my fiancée is lying here lifeless on this gurney? Who the fuck are you to tell me what to do? If you’re so fucking fantastic and know everything, then why can’t you bring her back to me, huh?

” I yell, my breath ragged with frustration.

She exhales loudly, venting her frustration. “Sorry, Mr. Slade, I didn’t mean to offend you. I just—”

“You. Just. What? Thought you could make the situation better. Well, you thought wrong. Now get the fuck out. I need some time alone with Dee,” I holler, pointing toward the door. She shakes her head and puts down the chart before walking out of the room.

Once she’s gone, I clamp my jaw tight, fighting the sting behind my eyes. But the burn doesn’t go away. It never goes away.

I stare at the body in front of me—her.

My fists clench at my sides. I’m angry. Furious at the fans, livid at the driver of that fucking van.

But mostly? I’m pissed at myself for letting go of her hand.

The rage burns deep in my gut, simmering just beneath the surface, ready to explode. My breaths come fast and shallow as I drag a hand across my face, wiping away the evidence of emotions I’m not prepared to deal with.

I still can’t believe this is real.

Dee agreed to marry me.

I told her I loved her—finally—after holding it in for so long, terrified that saying the words out loud would be the thing that drove her away.

And now look.

I told her…

… and she fucking left me.

Just like I always knew she would.

It was inevitable.

“Fuuuck!”

I shove the chair back, rising so fast it screeches across the floor. Rage surges through me, and I look around, desperate for something, anything, to take the edge off the pain clawing at my chest.

My hand closes around a glass. Without hesitation, I hurl it at the wall. It shatters on impact, the sound sharp, brutal, satisfying, but in the worst way.

It’s not enough.

I storm over to the counter, sweeping everything off in one violent motion.

Plates, bottles, whatever’s in my path crash to the floor, clattering and breaking around me.

I kick the wreckage aside, pacing like a caged animal, my hands buried in my hair.

My breathing stutters through ragged sobs that I’m too pissed to hold back.

I feel helpless.

There’s nothing I can do to fix this.

Nothing will bring her back to me.

“I’m fucking useless!” I roar, staring at her.

And she gives me nothing.

No reaction. No flicker of movement.

She lies there, still and silent—and it guts me.

It infuriates me.

The nurse rushes in, followed by two security guards. I lift my hands in surrender, exhaling hard through my nose, my chest still heaving.

The guards start toward me.

“Don’t you fucking dare try to take me out of this room,” I growl, my voice low and dangerous. “I’m not leaving her.”

They don’t stop. Don’t even flinch.

But then the nurse speaks up, “It’s all right, guys. He can stay.”

For the first time since I stepped into this hellhole, I’m actually grateful for her.

The guards back off, returning to their post by the door, eyes still locked on me like I’m one second away from losing it again.

As the nurse quietly begins cleaning up the mess I made, I pace the floor, guilt already creeping in beneath the rage.

I blow out a breath, walk over, and kneel to help. “I’m sorry. It’s just…” My voice catches. A solid knot lodges in my throat, impossible to swallow past. And for once, I’ve got no words left.

“Overwhelming,” she says softly.

I swipe a hand over my face, trying to erase the evidence of my breakdown.

“Mr. Slade, I understand how terrible this is and how much you must miss her, but I promise you, time heals everything,” she offers with a gentle smile.

I exhale heavily, gather the shattered remnants of the equipment, and place them on the counter. “Thanks,” I glance at her name badge—Shannon. “Please, call me Colt.” Extending my hand, she shakes it warmly before quietly leaving the room.

Returning to Dee’s side, I sit down and take her cold, pale hand in mine, pressing a tender kiss to its back. The chill of her skin sends a shiver through me, prompting me to pull the blanket up under her chin.

“There you go, baby. I don’t want you catching a cold,” I murmur, stroking her cheek. “I love you so much, Dee. I can’t do this without you.” Leaning down, I press a lingering kiss to her forehead.

“Colt?” Hux’s voice startles me. I turn to see him standing in the doorway.

“They said they wouldn’t let anyone else in,” I say, my voice hoarse.

“The nurse thought you could use some company. We’re all here…

the guys, Anna, Sia. We’re here for you, bro,” he assures me, closing the distance and pulling me into a firm hug.

I don’t usually go for this kind of thing, but right now, I need it.

I rest my head on his shoulder, letting the tears fall as he holds me tightly.

“Don’t worry. Your woman’s a fighter, Colt. She’s going to pull through this. She has to,” he says, his voice resolute.

I sniff, pulling back and wiping my nose with the back of my hand. “She better,” I reply, my voice thick with emotion. “She flatlined three times, Hux. Three. Fucking. Times. I thought she was gone. What if next time… she doesn’t come back to me?” The thought twists like a knife in my gut.

He pulls a seat up next to mine, and we sit down.

“Mate, there’s not going to be a next time.

The doc says she’s stable, and we just have to wait it out for her to come out of the coma.

And she will. Like I said, our Little Bean is a fighter, and she’s healing, and when she’s better, she will come back to us…

to you,” he promises, placing his arm around my shoulders.

“In the meantime, I’m here for you. You’re my brother, and I love you, even though sometimes I can be a dick.

I love Dee too. We all do, so we’re all here.

Mum’s on her way from England, and so are Dee’s parents. ”

I rest my head in my hands. “Great! It’s the first time Dee’s going to meet Mum, and she can’t even talk to her,” I remark, and Hux rubs my back.

Rutherford is going to kill me for letting this happen to his daughter!

“I don’t think Mum cares about that. All she cares about is you and how you’re coping. She doesn’t want either of us to fall off the wagon again,” Hux states.

I can understand where he’s coming from because I want a hit so bad right now.

Just one to ease some of this incredible pain.

Dee’s fighting for her life, and I wanna use. I am the epitome of a fucked up fiancé!

“I can see you’re struggling, bro, but you should see the support for Dee outside the hospital.

Fans are leaving letters and candles, flowers, and teddy bears.

You should come out and see. It’s like a shrine to Dee out there, man.

The fans love her for bringing you and the band back together.

The entire world is praying for her, Colt.

That’s how I know she’s going to be fine. ”

I rest my head on the edge of her gurney and hold her hand. “You hear that, baby? Everyone needs you to come back to us.”

“Thought you guys could do with coffee,” Johnny says.

I glance over at him, standing in the doorway with a tray holding three to-go coffee cups. He half-smiles as he walks in, handing a cup to Hux and then one to me. I shake my head, and Johnny and Hux both huff.

“The nurse said you were being stubborn. Just drink the fucking coffee, you damn martyr,” Johnny asserts, and I exhale before taking the cup from him.

“How are you doing?” I look at him like he’s fucking stupid.

“Sorry, I just wanna make sure you’re not thinking of doing anything you’ll regret later. ”

“I’m okay, on edge. I just need Dee to wake up.

I can’t stand the not knowing. The doctor said she’s had a serious operation and that she’s critical, but they’re not telling me everything.

All I know is that she hit her head and her leg is broken.

I can’t handle them telling me what’s wrong with her stomach.

I know it isn’t good, but I don’t know how to deal with it.

She’s cold, man! She’s so fucking cold. That can’t be a good thing, right? ” I ask, needing some reassurance.