Crazy Stupid Love

Chapter 32: My Fault

"What are you doing here?" He asks coldly.

"What does it look like?" I retort.

"Look," he says, his voice softening considerably. "I don't want to fight."

"Well that's new," I scoff.

"Marriya, I'm serious. I want to apologize."

Keeping my sassy remark to myself, I gesture for him to continue.

"When you left, I didn't think I would miss you. I thought that was exactly what I wanted."

"Thanks," I murmur sarcastically. "What changed your mind?"

"I saw your friends. They seemed so lost and upset, and it was obvious the reason was because you left. It made me think about why I was so mean to you. Mom hated you, but that was for her own reason. Jeremy hated you too, but he also had his own reasons. I didn't have a reason, though. You did nothing to me, and I was horrible to you. You didn't deserve that, and I am really sorry."

"It's okay," I reply softly.

"No, it's not. I made you feel worthless just because I couldn't stand up for myself."

"I forgive you."

"Thank you," he murmurs, tentatively opening his arms.

Rising to my feet, I walk towards him. As hard as I try, it's impossible to fight off the fear that overcomes my mind. Kayden has hurt me so many times. I have no reason to trust him now, and he certainly doesn't deserve me to forgive him.

But I do.

I wrap my arms around him, and happiness immediately overcomes the fear. It took him 8 years, but he is finally acting like my brother. And I love him for it.

After we break apart, we both take the seats between the two beds. He asks about my new life, and I tell him everything. I talk about Ross, and the band, and eventually I even bring up Ellington.

"I'm so happy for you," he says. "But I have one question?"

"Shoot."

"After everything with Jeremy, why did you come back?"

"Sam," I reply. "I needed to see him. I just love them so much-"

"Marriya, you said 'them'."

Cursing under my breath, I reply, "Okay, fine. Part of the reason I came back was Jeremy."

"After everything he did to you?"

"Kayden, we have to fall down sometimes so we can learn to pick ourselves back up. Jeremy tore the girl I used to be down piece by piece until I was nothing. If he didn't do that, I wouldn't have been strong enough to rebuild myself into the person I am today. I like this new girl a lot better."

"Me too."

Suddenly, a machine hooked up to Sam starts going off. Loud, shrill sounds pierce the air as Sam's frail body begins thrashing violently.

Nurses flood the room, yelling orders at one another as they begin wheeling the bed from the room. I cry out for any one of them to tell me what's going on, but they act as if I'm not there. Before I know it, Sam is gone, and I'm left with the feeling that I have seen my best friend for the very last time.

Tears streaming down my face, I fall into Kayden's arms and begin to sob.

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Rydel's PoV

Drying the tears from my cheeks, I pull my body off the floor. I slowly stagger out of the bathroom, walking through the door that connects my room to the boys'.