What If It's Us(77)

Dylan turns to me. “Don’t believe Samantha, she’s trying to ruin my good name.”

“I’m not even going to shut you up,” Samantha says.

“I have just conquered Death, there’s no such thing as shutting me up.”

I watch his face as he hugs her back, the way his eyes close and lose a lot of his electric Dylan-ness. None of the arrogance, just pure relief he’s still alive and able to hold his girlfriend again.

It’s really sweet.

I can’t wait to make fun of him.

I’m so happy I get to make fun of him.

I hug my best friend. “Thanks for not dying,” I say.

And I mean it. Because yeah, it was a false alarm, but I know it felt real to Dylan. It scares him when his heart beats fast. I don’t blame him for hauling ass to the ER. I’m glad he did. Better a million false alarms than the alternative.

“I had to come back. Our last words to each other were trash and we would’ve been some bad cliché, and I’m too iconic for such nonsense.”

“Very iconic. The most iconic.”

“Speaking of, I almost died living a lie,” Dylan says. He takes Samantha’s hand. “So hear me out. Dream & Bean coffee is just in my blood. Kool Koffee’s coffee doesn’t do it for me. You’re so passionate about the money being donated to charities, but I have to be honest about buying my coffee elsewhere.”

Samantha squints. “What? I don’t care. You do you.”

“Really?”

“Very really,” Samantha says.

“This was never a real problem, D,” I say.

“Were you actually stressed about this?” Samantha says.

“Yes. Very much.”

She shakes her head and kisses him on the forehead. “You’re ridiculous.” She takes his hand and squeezes.

My phone buzzes. I grin a little because it’s Arthur.

Dylan catches me. “What was that? That little smile? The fuck was that? What’s happening?”

“You’re being hysterical,” I say. “Let’s up your drugs.”

“Respect your immortal best friend and tell me what’s happening. I didn’t go to hell and back to not be kept in the loop.”

“Arthur is asking how you’re doing.”

“You guys good again?”

“Well, we’re not boyfriends. But we’re texting.”

“Screw texting. Go see him. I would ask you to swear on my life that you’ll be more honest with him, but we’ve proven today that I’m untouchable. I will walk this world forever.”

Samantha takes a step away from him. “A lightning bolt is going to burst in here any second now and shut you up.”

“I eat lightning for breakfast.”

“Okay,” I say. “You’re alive and well. So well that maybe I can meet Arthur. I know you just came back from the dead, but it’s his birthday.”

“No way that’s more superior than my resurrection, but sure.”

I clap my hands. “Great. Samantha, you can fill him in on all the Hudson stuff, if you want. And make sure he doesn’t die again to prove a point.”

Samantha returns to his side and takes his hand. “Future husband will live to see another day. Go get your boy.”

“What did you just call me?” Dylan asks with the biggest smile, like a kid on Christmas.

“This is my cue to get out of here before you strip out of your gown,” I say.

I hug and kiss Dylan and Samantha and bounce.

When I’m out in the hallway, I text Arthur back. Everything is good. Dylan is very Dylan. I take a deep breath. I really want to see you. Can I meet you somewhere?

My phone buzzes.

Yeah, I’ll meet you in the waiting area in ten seconds. Don’t be late.

What.

I look up.

There he is.





Part Three


And Only Us





Chapter Thirty-Three


Arthur


I spent all this time thinking Ben was the king of chill, but I guess no one’s chill when their best friend almost dies. You know how you open the door in some houses and a dog rocket-launches toward you with his whole trembling body? That’s Ben when he sees me. He flings his arms around me before I can say hello, and now he’s just standing here hugging me like a cobra.

“You came.” His voice breaks.

“Of course.”

He draws back a few inches, still gripping my arms—and suddenly, our eyes lock. For a moment, we just stare.

“So he’s okay?” My heart’s thudding.

“Who?”

“Dylan!”

“Oh my God.” Ben scrunches his nose. “I’m an idiot. Yeah, he’s totally fine. It was just a really bad panic attack. He gets those—”

“Right, I remember that.” I exhale. “Thank God.”

“Yeah. His parents are dealing with paperwork, and Samantha’s there. He’s getting discharged soon.”

I nod. “You should get back in there.”

“He kicked me out.”

“Really?”

“Well.” He smiles faintly. “I kicked myself out. But I had to. Important birthday today.”