The One She Needed

NINETEEN

ALEX

The last time I was here, it was because I found my sister caught in the storm of her baby's father's rage. That alone should have cemented my feelings about hospitals—I hate them.

Even now, lying here, my skin stitched where the blade cut deep, my body aching from the fight I barely saw coming—I still hate them. The reality of it all crashed into me almost as fast as the knife Ray drove into my side. One moment, I was helping Rebecca gather her things. The next, I was in an ambulance, sirens wailing, distant cries barely registering over the throbbing in my head.

I felt drained, disconnected, like my body wasn't mine. My siblings' bickering cut through the haze, their voices sharp, but I was too caught up in untangling the mess of thoughts in my head to be annoyed. This trying-to-save-everyone act was getting old. Fast.

Mom hadn't said much. But she had been watching. Always watching. Ever since she stormed in, raising hell at the nurses for not letting her see me right away. I almost laughed remembering her threats. Now, looking at her aquamarine eyes locked onto mine, I wondered what she was thinking.

When I woke up, the doctor told me a lot of things, but one fact clung to me:

Four stab wounds. And I survived.

"Both of you. Calm down." Mom's voice, measured but firm, cut through the tension. It was the kind of tone that made people listen. Sam and Rebecca shut their mouths, still glaring at each other.

Rebecca spoke first, voice small. "How are you feeling?" She gripped my hand, guilt weighing down her expression.

Before I could answer, Sam scoffed. "The real question is, how does it feel almost losing your life?"

"Too soon, man," I muttered, but he only shrugged.

"What? No point sugarcoating. If Becca had left that bastard ages ago, maybe our brother wouldn't have been turned into a pincushion."

Rebecca's eyes filled with fresh tears. "So it's my fault?"

"If you had even a scrap of a backbone—"

"Go to hell, Sam!"

"Don't make me curse the day I brought you both into this world!" Mom snapped. "Both of you. Enough."

They backed down, sinking into their chairs like chastised kids. The only sound left was the steady beep of my monitor. Mom stood and fussed over my pillow for the umpteenth time. A storm of emotions flickered across her face, and I hated that I was the cause of her worry. I grabbed her hand, squeezing gently. I'm okay. At least, I wanted her to believe that.

The door opened. Everyone turned, expecting the doctor. Instead, my pulse spiked, the monitor betraying me as my eyes locked onto hers.

Raquel.

She rushed to my side, and suddenly, nothing else in the room mattered. Her brown eyes swept over me, her presence settling into my bones like warmth in winter.

Surviving was a win. But this? Her standing here? Maybe this was the other upside.

I reached up and loosened her hair, letting it spill over her shoulders. "What did I tell you about keeping your hair down?"

She laughed, even as tears threatened to fall, pressing my hand against her cheek.

A throat cleared, shattering the moment like glass. We had an audience.

"Sorry to barge in," Raquel murmured, tucking a loose curl behind her ear. "I'm a friend of Alex. My name's Raquel."

"So you're the Raquel," Mom said, shaking her hand. Sam stood without a word, tugging Becca along. She hesitated before following. Mom gave me one last glance before leaving, shutting the door behind her.

Raquel pulled up a chair, sitting close. "Are you okay?"

"With the meds they've pumped into me, I feel... fantastic," I chuckled dryly.

She frowned. "I don't get how you can joke about this. You got stabbed."

"How did you find out I was here?"

She hesitated. Then, a small smile ghosted her lips. "Your brother called me. I wish I met him and your family under different circumstances."

Her voice softened, another tear slipping free.

"I'm fine. Really," I murmured. The experience was something I knew would haunt me, but Ray was arrested. He'd never lay a hand on my sister again. That was enough.

"Just get better. Please." Her voice was barely above a whisper.

I patted the bed, urging her closer. "Did you get my messages?"

She hesitated, then nodded. "You know I did."

"Then why did you leave me hanging?"

"You just survived something horrific. You need to focus on healing."

I exhaled sharply. "For god's sake, Raquel. Stop running from me. If getting stabbed is what it takes to bring you back, I'd do it again. Just... talk to me. Please."

I pulled her to me, pressing my lips against hers. Whatever strength I had left, I gave it to her.

Funny thing about oxygen—you need it. We pulled apart, breathless, her forehead resting against mine. The scent of cocoa butter wrapped around me like a familiar lullaby.

Her head on my chest, I hoped she could hear my heart whisper her name.

"How's my baby been?" I murmured.

She tensed. Pulled back. Looked at me, wide-eyed.

"You know?" she whispered, tears spilling over.

Confusion knotted my stomach. "Know what?"

I tightened my arms around her as she shifted, her silence making my pulse stutter.

"Raquel..."

She laughed nervously, running a hand through her hair. My heart pounded.

"I wasn't planning on telling you like this," she said. "But life doesn't follow a script."

She exhaled shakily, eyes locking onto mine. "Alex, I'm—"

The door burst open.

"I came as fast as I could! Are you okay?" Gina's voice rang out as she rushed in, throwing her arms around me.

I liked Gina, but her timing sucked.

Raquel said nothing, but I caught the way her eyes darkened at Gina's closeness.

"Thanks for coming," I said quickly, trying to defuse the tension. "Uh, Gina, this is Raquel. Raquel, this is Gina."

They sized each other up.

"Nice to meet you," Gina said.

"Likewise," Raquel mumbled, face unreadable.

I grabbed Raquel's hand, drawing her gaze back to me. "What were you about to tell me?"

She hesitated, then shook her head. "Another time. Just focus on getting better."

I smirked. "I'll need some motivation."

She smiled. How could someone be so effortlessly beautiful?

"How do you two know each other?" Gina asked.

Before I could answer, Raquel beat me to it. "Through a trench coat."

Heat crawled up my neck as the memory resurfaced. Gina looked confused. Raquel smirked.

She leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to my lips, teasing me with her tongue before pulling away. I was lightheaded by the time she straightened.

"I'll check in on you soon. Get some rest."

She sauntered to the door. Gina rolled her eyes. I barely noticed.

I was still grinning like an idiot when I realized Gina was watching me.

Scowling.