Love's Suicide (Love's Suicide #1)(45)

Sally, the cashier called, speaking so frantically that I couldn’t understand what she was saying. “Bobby’s gone to the hospital in an ambulance. It’s so bad. You have to go there, right now!”

In complete worry, I grabbed my keys, left B with Sarah and drove as fast as I could. Again, with Sally’s vague details, I had no idea how injured he was or what could have possibly happened. My worst fear was that he’d spilled some kind of flammable chemical on himself.

When I arrived at the hospital, I found out that one of the lifts in the shop had malfunctioned. While he was under the car, it collapsed. He managed to try and move out of the way, but landed on his side and had both of his legs crushed in the process.

I was told that he was sedated due to the extreme amount of pain he was in, so I wasn’t going to be able to have a conversation with him to find out more details, like if I needed to contact the insurance agency for the business.

Bobby was casted from his chest and then down both legs. They had his lower body elevated, I assume to prevent clots. He looked terrible and I felt horrible for what had happened to him.

Since he was in the intensive care, he was only allowed one visitor and I knew I couldn’t leave him there by himself. I had to be at his side to let him know that I cared.

Because I did care.

Bobby’s anger problems didn’t change the fact that he’d taken care of me for so long. He’d provided comfort when I felt all alone. I needed to give that back to him, for as long as it took.



He was released two weeks later, in which I’d already moved his things into my place, since it was easier for Dave to come over and help me with getting him up. Bobby wasn’t happy about not being in his own home, but I think once he realized that we’d be living together, he never said another word about it.

B was happy to see him all of the time, even though she didn’t understand that his boo boo couldn’t get better from a simple kiss.

Bobby would have a long road ahead of him to rehabilitate and the doctors had already scheduled him for his first surgery, requiring a rod to be placed in his back.

The shop closed for three weeks before the insurance company could deem it safe. Thankfully, his employees could work even if he wasn’t around, so once they’d reopened he’d still get a check to pay some of his bills.

In the meantime, I kept the construction going on my new house, including ramps for Bobby’s wheelchair. They’d be temporary until he would no longer need them.

I know it was wrong to think it, but I knew he couldn’t hurt me if he was helpless. It was game changing, giving me that last push to let him back into our lives.

I’d always believed that things happened for a reason. Bobby getting hurt was as if someone was telling me that we needed to stay together.



By Christmas Bobby was mobile in only a wheelchair. He spent a lot of his time propped up in bed and had lost twenty pounds since his accident. On most days he was in good spirits, considering that he could have lost his life.

He liked to read and play with B. She enjoyed pointing to pictures and having someone tell her what it was.

Things were good for us.

I don’t know what made me do it, but I made a call without thinking it through, not knowing that it would set things into motion that could change everything.

I’d been thinking about Melissa and how I’d missed her. Since I was at a good place in my life, I felt that it was finally alright to reach out to her.



“Hello.”

“Merry Christmas, stranger.”

“Katy? How are you?” She seemed happier to hear from me this time.

“I’m doing well. How are you?”

“Actually, I’m really good. I got engaged last night.”

“Are you kidding me? That’s amazing. Congratulations.”

“Yeah. I wasn’t expecting it.” I could hear the excitement in her voice.

“So, who’s the lucky guy? Do I know him?”

The line got quiet.

“Mel, are you there?”

“Katy, there’s something I need to tell you.”

All I could think of was that something happened to Brooks and she’d somehow heard about it. “What is it?” I needed to know immediately.

“I’m engaged to Branch.”

Biting my tongue was the best response, considering I was literally speechless.

“Katy, say something.”

“What do you expect me to say?”

“Say you don’t hate me. I didn’t go after him, if that’s what you’re thinking. He was upset and I missed you. It just happened.”

“What? How long has this been going on?” Suddenly I was curious.

“About a month after you left.” She started to cry on the other end of the phone. “That’s why I probably sounded short last time. He was standing next to me and I didn’t know what to say.”

Hearing her stating that Branch, who’d always loved me, was with her, made me cringe. It wasn’t because I wanted him. I hated that both of them would hook up. She knew what I’d gone through and what he did to keep me from Brooks. How could she think he would be good to her? “As long as you’re happy, I guess that’s all that matters.”

“Katy, I miss you. Please say you don’t hate me.”