Her mom held onto her, rocked her tightly, stroking her hair and cried with her. Both of them leaned onto each other for support. Both of them were reliving a traumatic experience they never wanted to repeat. Yet here they were, and Grace needed her mother, but she needed the man who was a part of her life now, who she couldn’t live without. She needed Evan.
“Grace?”
Zach’s voice was a lifeline as she stood from the chair in the lobby of the hospital. She hurried toward him. “Zach, is he okay?”
“He’s getting tests done. We haven’t heard anything else yet.”
Grace hugged him. “I couldn’t get to you.”
“I’m so sorry. I wasn’t getting service on my phone. I knew after some time that you had to be here by now. The media just found out about the accident and reporters are trying to find out as much as they can. We have him under a fake name. Come on, I’ll take you upstairs.”
He glanced back and nodded at Marla. “That’s my mom,” Grace said as they made an introduction and all headed toward the elevators. “Zach, how could this happen?”
“It was just a crazy accident. He was doing this stunt where he had to dive in and stay under for some time. They rehearsed so many times, and it was fine, they had rescue divers nearby. But today, it just, was a freak oversight. He couldn’t get the costume off some side latch.”
They stood in the elevator and waited as it accelerated slowly. “How long was he out?” Grace asked anxiously, trying to keep herself from losing control again.
“Not long. They figured it out pretty quickly. He was just tired, Grace. I’m sure that, on top of the lapse in judgment, made for a bad combination.”
“He wasn’t getting sleep,” she acknowledged as it dawned on her that their fight had caused him stress.
“No, Grace, don’t go there,” Marla warned her as they approached the waiting room.
Grace’s mother stopped her in her tracks and held onto her arm. Her green eyes peered into Grace’s with precision. “None of this is your fault, Grace. Nathan dying was not your fault and Evan’s accident wasn’t either. Do you understand me?”
“I just hope he’s okay.” Grace nodded. She glanced into the waiting room and saw Josh sitting in the corner, his head resting in his hands, along with other people who seemed to be a part of the filming crew.
“Josh feels pretty shaken up by everything. He’s not good with feeling out of control,” Zach said softly before they entered the room. “None of us have seen Evan yet. I chartered a flight for his mom and Hilary.”
They walked in and sat beside one another, and it felt as if hours passed before a doctor finally approached. His dark eyes seemed friendly, and Grace could only hope that meant good news.
“He’s going to be fine. We’re keeping him in for observation.” He was confident in his assessment, but Grace needed reassurance.
“But what about water in the lungs? Organ failure? Head trauma? How is he?” Grace asked a slew of questions, feeling overprotective as they all hovered around him.
“Lung problems could arise after a twelve-hour span, so that’s why we’re keeping him here overnight. We took x-rays and he seems to be okay from injury. He came in already awake and alert, so brain damage isn’t a concern. He did have hypothermia, so he’s getting rewarmed and we checked the oxygen levels in his blood. We’re watching his heartbeat and hoping pneumonia won’t be an issue, which could be common with near-drowning victims. He’s just fatigued.”
“Can we see him?” Josh finally spoke, his assessing glacial blue eyes focused on the doctor.
“Yes, but one at a time. He keeps asking if Grace is here.”
Grace’s head lifted and her eyes began to water. She looked over at Zach and Josh, and they nodded. Josh’s soft voice spoke. “He needs you, Grace.”
Grace entered the cold, dark room. The smell of antiseptic filled her nostrils as she peered across and saw Evan lying still in the propped-up bed. The nurse closed the door behind her and Grace quietly glided toward him, her eyes assessing him as he slept. His skin was pale, his lips had an underlying purple-blue tint, and she had to hold back jumping into his arms and kissing him, begging him to never let her go.
His chest lifted and fell in regular rhythm as his closed eyes fluttered. An IV was hooked into his arm, and blankets covered his body in an attempt to keep him warm. Grace pulled the chair beside his bed and she sat down, never letting her eyes leave him.
“I’m sorry for everything, Evan,” she whispered as tears flowed down her cheeks. He needed his rest, and she didn’t want to disturb him, so she just stared, grateful he was there. “You were right about it all. I was so stubborn. My mom and dad want to know me again, and I do want to know them. I’ve missed out on so much by closing myself off, but I’m not doing that anymore.”
She gazed at the ECG machine, the lines steady. “You’re my heart, Evan. You’re everything to me, so you better be okay. I love you.”
She bent forward and grabbed his hand, raising it to her lips as she kissed it. “You only ever going to tell me that when you think I’m asleep, doll?” his voice croaked out softly.
Grace’s eyes landed on his and she laughed through her tears as she kissed him. “Evan, you scared me.”
“Sorry, baby, but how else was I going to get you to forgive me?”
“This is worse than your losing a poker game on purpose,” she cried.
He winced as he tried to laugh, “Guess Jaime ratted me out. Remind me not to give her tickets to the premiere.”
“Not funny, Matthews.” Although it was great to know that he was joking after a near-death experience, Grace was still in shock over the events. “How dare you almost die on me? I won’t ever allow it again.” Tears prickled up and poured over as she brushed his hair back from his forehead. “What happened, Evan?”
His brow crinkled in concentration as he shook his head. “I honestly don’t remember much, Grace. The last thing I recall is getting in the water then waking up gasping for air.”
Her lips peppered kisses over his hand as she clasped it in hers. “Are you in a lot of pain?”
“Nothing millions of your kisses can’t cure,” he winked.
“Stop trying to be adorable. I’m trying to be angry at you.”
She reached forward and touched her lips against his as he gave a small moan of happiness and pleasure. His hand moved a strand of her hair away from her face. “Did you see your mom, Gracie?”
She nodded and kissed his temple. “I did. And I think everything’s going to be fine. As long as you promise to be.”
“I promise, as long as you don’t ever leave me again, Gracie.”
She shook her head. “Never. I’ll never leave you.”
“Promise? Even when I piss you off?”
“Promise. Rest, Evan.” She smiled as he closed his eyes. “I’m so in love with you, by the way.”
“I already knew that, but it’s always nice to hear. Even when you think I’m sleeping.” She chuckled as he grinned, his eyes still closed. “I’m in love with you, Gracie Lynn. I’m keeping you. Forever. Get used to it, doll.”
“I think I can get very used to that idea, Evan.”
Grace hunched down brushing off dust and debris from the headstone of Nathan’s grave. Taking her time, she arranged the fresh bouquet of hydrangeas. Evan sat down and helped. He had seen such a difference in his girlfriend since having left the hospital. She had agreed to a new publishing contract and had sold the rights to her memoir to be produced into a film—with his production company, of course. Who else could care for telling her story on the big screen like he could?
That success gave her the ability to write full-time and look for someone to take her place as property manager. She was also starting to talk to her parents more. It was a slow process, but Evan couldn’t be more proud of her.
“Hey, bro, we’re here,” he stated gently as he wiped away dirt with a small cloth. Grace giggled, and Evan’s heart jumped wit
h joy at the sound. “Your sis and I finally got our shit together. I don’t know how you ever put up with her stubborn ways.”
He sat behind her as she leaned into his chest, her head resting near his. “You love my stubborn ways.”
“I’m the one that’s meant to put up with them.”
“Nathan would’ve loved you.”
“It’s weird, I feel like I knew him or something. Can’t really explain why.” They were silent as the wind picked up, and they huddled closer together. Evan kissed her on her temple and spoke softly. “What was that promise you made to your brother, Grace?”
“The night he died, I told him I didn’t believe love existed, and I definitely didn’t trust men anymore.” Evan wrapped his arms around Grace’s waist, pulling her closer to him. “He sat beside me and told me all the wonderful things love could offer if I waited for someone who would value me.”
“Smart guy.”
“He was. He was an old soul trapped in a jock’s body.” They both chuckled as she linked her fingers with his.
“He was a jock?”
“Yeah, he loved football. Playing was his favorite thing in the world.” She rested against his chest and let her hands trace the top of Evan’s. He glanced down and his eyes caught on something. He pushed her long sleeved shirt up and stared at a drawing on the back of her hand of an oak tree with doves flying from the branches. The memory flooded in of a football player with the green eyes, and the tattoo on his hand.
“Grace, what…” His voice trembled as he looked at the intricate sketch. His fingers traced over the tree. “Why did you draw this?”
She smiled as she nodded. “I used to doodle on my hands all the time when I was young. Nathan hated it and gave me a hard time. I like oak trees though. They symbolize strength, endurance and protection.”
Evan stayed still, the shock coursing through him, as if lightning had struck and left him with the aftereffects.
Grace comfortably continued to open up to him, finally answering the question Evan had wondered. “Anyway, he made me promise that I would wait to give myself fully to the man I knew loved me so much that my happiness meant more to him than his own. Someone who I would love just as much. And to always—”
“Follow your heart,” he finished for her.
She straightened up and looked back at him, smiling wide. “Yeah. How’d you know that?”
Evan couldn’t contemplate how to tell Grace of his dream, whatever it was he had experienced when he remembered meeting the stranger with the same tattoo—the stranger he knew had to be her brother. “This is going to sound so crazy, but I think I met him when I was unconscious.”
Grace’s eyes fixed on him. “What do you mean?”
“This drawing,” he pointed to her hand. “It triggered a memory. I met this guy in a navy football jersey, and he talked to me about how great it was to live what you love.”
Tear-filled, Grace gave a small chuckle. “He had a football scholarship to Columbia. And he always used to say to live what you love. That was his motto. How did this trigger your memory though?” She asked as they studied the tree drawn on her hand.
“The football player had a tattoo of that exact drawing.”
Grace’s breath hitched as tears streamed down her face. “I drew it on his hand the night he passed away.”
“Do you think your brother’s still watching out for you?” Evan asked sincerely.
“Well, he brought me you,” she beamed.
“You’ve kept your promise,” he assured her as he cupped her jaw, bringing his lips toward hers.
“I know I have,” she confidently responded as the breeze blew in around them. “Loving you helped me heal, Evan. It was meant to be you.”
Heartache and tragedy—those were inevitable in loving someone, in losing someone. But beauty was also present in them. It gave gratitude for the moments truly lived, and even in an ending, it lasted forever.
“I followed my heart,” Grace said, her eyes on Nathan’s grave. “I kept my promise.”
THE END
It’s difficult to even begin this, there are so many to thank, and I apologize if I left anyone out. Thank you to my wonderful parents for supporting me throughout all the crazy endeavors I’ve attempted. My sister Gina for pepping me up when I felt down and for helping me set up timelines and plots. David for helping me with my computer setup. And Elliot for distracting me and making me laugh when I needed it. To my grandma for her many prayers, as well to the rest of my family. To my dear friends—Marla, Jaime, Carrie, Laura, and all the others who have been part of this crazy process—thank you for putting up with me (and letting me use some of your names). All the encouragement and support has meant so much to me! Jennifer, thanks for helping me figure out crazy things I needed to fix and helping me with ideas. Renee, thanks for being my cheerleader and loving Evan and Grace. I couldn’t ever have done it without you all. Lissa Taylor, thank you for the cards!
Melissa Rheinlander, what can I say? You changed the course of my entire career, helped me find a purpose, and taught me so much about this crazy, beautiful book business. Danielle Sanchez, you rock, thank you for all your support. I’m forever grateful and always in awe of Julie Kenner. Julie, thank you SO much for taking the time to advise me. I’ve learned so much from you, and it means the world to me that you spent time helping a newbie. K.L. Grayson – I miss you so much, thank you for answering all my crazy questions and being one of the first to read my first loooong story. Tee Swan – thanks for the late night pep-talks, “you got this” chats, and help with my wonderful beta readers whom I love – you girls know who you are. K.P. Simmon – for reminding me of my goals and how to get there. Anna Todd and R.K. Lilley thank you for allowing me writing time with you ladies. I enjoyed every second. Erin Noelle, thank you for helping me fix my writing quirks! Regina Wamba, you are an insanely talented woman, thank you for bringing my vision to life. Ripp and Monica were perfect! Jeff Senter for formatting my book and being patient with my tons of emails, thank you. Amy Daws, thanks for taking my calls and helping me out so much! To all the authors I’ve had the pleasure of meeting - I have esteemed every single ounce of counsel and support. I commend all that you brilliant writers do. Emma Hart, thank you for wanting to read my book and encouraging me. Rachel Van Dyken, thank you for being awesome. To my Austenites back home in McAllen— it all started because of a little book we chatted about that became a big book and I decided to make us a little fan page where we could talk about our favorite character. I miss our brunches. Bloggers, thank you for all the work you put in and the love and devotion you have toward reading. I know how hard you work, and I appreciate it! Readers, thanks for letting me share my words with you. I hope you enjoyed Evan and Grace as much as I enjoyed writing them.
Anissa Garcia earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Speech Communications and English. She held an array of jobs including Public Relations Manager for Barnes and Noble. Wanting a change of pace, she attended The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, and trained full-time in theatre for two years. After working in Hollywood as an actress and casting assistant, she relocated to Austin, Texas and began writing freelance for Cosmopolitan and other magazines. When not writing stories, watching movies, or drinking a latte, she loves to daydream about romantic fictional men.
– CONTACT ANISSA GARCIA –
[email protected]
www.anissagarcia.com
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