Ruthless knight

Sawyer

I’m about to stand up and get some walking in, because despite how sore I am, these dang nurses keep insisting I move around, when there’s a soft knock on the door. 

“I can come back if you’re busy,” Bianca says.

She looks like she’s about to make a dash for it, but I halt her. “No, come in.” 

She takes a few timid steps inside. “I just came because I wanted to make sure you were okay. I would have come sooner, but I figured I’d give you a few days to adjust and—”

I stop her because she’s starting to ramble. “I’m glad you’re here.” 

She fidgets, looking so uncomfortable I have to stifle a laugh. “I’m sorry about all those mean things I said. I didn’t…I just wanted to help you get back at those bitches. I didn’t mean to…I didn’t think—”

“It’s okay.” 

I know deep down—way deep down—Bianca meant well. 

“I…um. I hope we can still be friends. I understand if you don’t want that.” Her eyes become glassy. “But, I uh…I don’t really have a lot of people I trust—”

“Of course we’re still friends,” I assure her. 

This girl is out of her mind, but I know there’s a huge heart underneath all her bravado. 

Her face lights up. “Really?”

I’m about to answer, but before I can blink, she puts her arms around me…sort of. 

It’s the most awkward hug I’ve ever experienced in my life, but something tells me Bianca doesn’t do it a lot—or ever—so I’m okay with it. 

This is a big step for her. 

“I’m so glad you didn’t croak. It means I still have time to talk you into getting side bangs.” 

And there she is. 

A sigh escapes me. “Yes, yes, you do.” 

We break apart and she ambles to the door. 

“Oh, before I forget. Do you remember when I called you a five?” 

“Yeah.” 

She averts her gaze. “Yeah, well…I was a fucking idiot.” Those brown orbs find mine. “Truth is…you’re really a ten, Church girl.” 

My mouth drops open in mock-shock. “Wow, a ten?”

“Well, a nine point eight.” She winks. “You’ll be a solid ten after those side bangs.” 

 

 Cole’s brows furrow. “Need anything?”

“I’m actually kind of…hungry.” 

I’ve been snacking on hospital food for the last six days, but I’m so over it. 

My appetite is back with a vengeance and this girl needs some real food. 

He smiles knowingly. “Yeah, I bet. The food here sucks. Want anything in particular?”

“I’ll take whatever. As long as it’s not oatmeal or soup.” 

“You got it.” Dipping his head, he gives me a quick kiss. “Be back in a bit.” 

God, I love him so much, sometimes I feel like I could burst right open like a piñata at a kid’s party. 

Settling back against the bed, I reach for the remote. 

I’m about to turn on some reality TV to pass the time when there’s a knock on my door. 

Oakley. 

I was hoping he’d come visit me. 

I’ve wanted to make things right with him so badly, but I didn’t want to do it over the phone. 

He deserves a face-to-face apology. 

I quickly sit up. “Hey.”

His expression is so somber my heart falls.

“What’s wron—”

I don’t even get the words out before he’s wrapping his arms around me so tightly, I can barely breathe. 

“I’m sorry, Sawyer.” 

I have no idea what he’s talking about. If anyone needs to apologize, it’s me. 

When I pull back to look at him, there are tears in his eyes. 

It breaks my fucking heart. 

“For what, Oak? You didn’t do anything wrong.”

“I never should have gotten you the pills. You almost died because of me.” 

Humble pie for one, please. “No. I almost died because of me. You only got me Adderall because I asked you to.” I frame his face with my hands. “I’m the one who’s sorry. The manipulation…the awful things I said. I didn’t mean any of it.” Now I’m the one who’s crying. “Not a damn word. You’re one of the best people I’ve ever met in my life. I’m so sorry I hur—”

“What the fuck are you doing here?” Cole growls.

I snap my gaze to the door. “Whoa. What’s your problem?” 

Cole slams the bag he’s carrying on my tray table. “I don’t want him anywhere near you.” 

Yeah, something is definitely wrong. 

Oakley’s about to leave, but I tug on his arm. “No. You stay.” He looks like he wants to protest, but I don’t let him. “Please.” 

Anger flashes across Cole’s face. “Oakley’s the reason you almost ended up in a coffin and you want him to stay? What the fuck, Sawyer?”

“I’m the reason I almost ended up in a coffin, Cole.” 

It’s obvious there’s a huge misconception and I need to fix it pronto. 

It also doesn’t take a genius to figure out that if Cole thinks Oakley’s responsible for putting me in the hospital…he’s probably not the only one. 

“I need you to get everyone in here.” 

Cole blinks. “Why—”

“Now,” I snap. And because I know how stubborn he can be, I add, “Don’t argue with the girl who had a heart attack.” 

Cole’s eyes become saucers and he quickly backpedals to the door. “I’ll be right back.” 

Puzzled, Oakley peers down at me. “What are you doing?” 

I reach for his hand. “This isn’t your fault, Oak.” 

And I’m going to prove it. 

My grandfather and uncle went home—but fortunately my parents, Dylan, Jace, and Bianca are still roaming the halls. 

Once everyone is inside, I unleash the truth bomb. 

“I told Oakley I wanted Adderall to help me study. That’s why he got it for me. He thought he was helping me since he knew how crazy my schedule was and how I was ru

I look around at all of them. “I lied straight to his face…just like I lied to all of you.”  

Cole starts to speak, but I hold up a finger. “I’m not done yet.” 

This time, I turn to Oakley. “When he told me he was cutting me off…I manipulated him. I threatened to spill his secrets to people, I called him a worthless drug addict…I did some really fucked up shit.” I swing my gaze to the group again. “And you know what he did?” 

“What?” Dylan questions, her features pinched in concern. 

“He still cut me off and kicked me out of the guesthouse. Told me I couldn’t come back until I was Sawyer again.” I squeeze Oakley’s hand. “He was being a good friend…even though I didn’t deserve it. And if any of you have a problem with that…I suggest you get over it. Or start pointing your fingers at the person who’s really to blame for all this.” I look at Cole. “Because it’s not Oakley.” 

It’s me. 

Cole sucks in a sharp breath. “I didn’t know it went down like that.” He looks at Oakley. “You tried to tell me.”  

Oakley’s shoulders slump. “But I was too fucking late.” 

“You still tried to do the right thing, though,” Dylan whispers. “And as much as I hate to place the blame on Sawyer.” Her gaze shoots to me. “It sounds like you were left in the dark like we all were.” She exhales a breath. “I think I speak for us all when I say—please don’t ever touch that stuff again. You are so much more than a stupid fucking number on a scale.”

My cheeks heat with shame and tears burn my eyes.