London Falling (Falling #2)(67)

“Fine, fine. Whatever. I’ll make sure he doesn’t get out of hand with her. I’ll keep an eye on things. Go, you’ve got a raven haired beauty hovering behind you, waiting. Lucky sod!”

I turned to see he was right. London was standing next to her case, ready to go, a wrap of some sort over her shoulders.

“I’m going to take the car. Will you and Em catch a ride with Dean and Oliver?”

“Sure thing. No worries, mate. Go. Make up with your beautiful American girl. See you tomorrow.”

“Hey Nate.” I used his nickname because I wanted him to know I was serious.

“Yeah, brother mine?”

“You deserve to be happy, too.” He nodded and took a long drink of his beer then looked off into the distance before meeting my gaze.

“I am happy. What more could I possibly need?”

“I’ll let it go for now. Just know that I’m rooting for you to find the one.”

“All you blokes who fall in love are always trying to get us single mates married. Piss off. Go shag your girl and stuff it!”

I laughed and put my arm around London’s shoulders. She hugged me and smiled up at me. “This, Nathaniel, is what you’re missing out on. The best thing ever.” I left it at that, turned my girl around and led her to the car.

It was pitch dark, leaving Hank’s ranch and driving on country roads. The second we were on the open road, that thing between London and I popped and cracked making it hard to focus on the road ahead. It was a long stretch of nothing, all the way to the small hotel about fifteen minutes off the beaten path from Hank’s ranch. I was eternally grateful.

London’s hand crept up my leg as she nuzzled into my neck. “God, I want you. Do you feel it the same way I do?” she asked as she cupped and massaged my hardening package. Her hands were straight from heaven. When they were on me, I could barely focus on anything else.

“Beauty, you have no idea. But seriously, we have to make it back to the hotel first.” I nipped at her lips. She pulled away and moved to sit back, then buckled her seatbelt. As I turned my head to say something filthy, her eyes widened and she braced herself on the dash in front. Her mouth opened on a scream.

It happened so fast.

I turned my head back to the road just in time to see that I was about to hit a ginormous black and white cow standing stock still in the middle of the road. In a split second I knew if I hit the cow we’d be in a world of hurt. I swerved left. London’s scream pierced my eardrums a second before we plowed through a wooden fence. The car bumped and scraped along the rocky terrain.

“London!” I yelled as I lost control of the car and fishtailed. In a blink of an eye, we were barreling toward a huge Oak tree, too fast for me to correct the car’s trajectory. I reached out to grasp London’s hand. Her warm embrace was the last thing I felt as I heard her blood curdling scream. Then the world went black.





Chapter - 17





This is not happening. Not happening. It can’t be. Not my life. A dream.

“You are in a dream, sweetie pie.”

I stood and twirled around. The hospital room was dark, aside from the small nightlight above Collier’s head, but not so dark I didn’t see him standing there. Alive. In front of me, as real as the day I’d married him eight years ago.

“James.” My voice broke and I was unable to form additional words.

“Yes sweetie pie, it’s me.”

“But…b-but…you’re…“

“Dead. Yes, I know. But you’re not and neither is he.” He pointed to the bed where Collier lay unmoving. My heart broke, seeing him there, completely still. His head was bandaged from slamming into the window. Had we been driving a more sophisticated vehicle, side airbags would have prevented the swelling in his brain from the impact, possibly eliminating his comatose state.

“Are you here to take him?” I could barely form the words but I had to know.

“Right now, no. I’m here for you.”

“Me?”

His smile spread and reminded me of so many happy days, long ago, that I’d never have again.

“Yes. I’ve watched you these past years. Wanted so badly to help you through your destructive path. I’m here now though, to make sure you make good on your promise.”

“My promise?”

“At my deathbed, you promised you’d love again. You’ve done nothing but push his love away. He’s the only one since I left who has been worthy of your love. And now, here he lays, not knowing your feelings for him. Withholding your love from him is an unbearable torture.”

“But…you. I loved you so much. With everything I had. When you died, that part of me died, too.”

“No it didn’t. You just lost it for a while. He’s bringing it back to you. If he makes it through this tragedy, you must tell him.”

“If? You don’t know?”

“Oh sweetie, all things get worse before they get better.” He used an old saying that used to piss me off. Mostly because it always seemed to be true.

“I can’t lose him. I already lost you!”

James shook his head and his form flickered.

“Don’t go!” I screamed.

“I’m sorry. I only get to do this once. Those are the rules. I love you, London. Always have and always will. Please, don’t keep your love to yourself. It’s the most precious thing in the world to share. He deserves it.“