Stay with Me

“Doesn’t take long,” my brother replies and goes off in search of beer.

“Men confuse me.”

“Drink some more wine,” Brynna suggests.

“So, he’s your neighbor,” Stacy says an hour later when she, Nic, and I are chatting by the firepit. We have wine and chips and queso.

It’s perfect.

“Yep. He came over to introduce himself the day I moved in.”

“He seems really nice,” Stacy says with a smile.

“He is. Like, he’s a nice guy, and those are hard to find.”

“Tell me about it,” Nic replies, shaking her head. “Until I met Matt, I thought nice guys were mythical creatures.”

“And yet, here we are,” Stacy says with a smile. “We found a whole pack of nice guys.”

“How did you and Isaac meet, Stacy?” I ask.

“In school. I took one look into those Montgomery blue eyes, and I knew my life would never be the same.”

“I do think you all can hypnotize people with your eyes,” Nic agrees. “I’ve never seen eyes so blue. And for all of you to have them, it’s crazy. Are you aliens?”

I laugh. “Yes, blue-eyed aliens. That’s what we are. I guess the gene is just strong in the family.”

“Well, it’s hard to resist. And when you add in the kindness, the protectiveness, well . . .” Stacy shrugs. “I just knew I’d never be able to walk away from him.”

I look over at Wyatt, who’s currently talking with Will, Caleb, Archer, and Leo on the other side of the terrace. Will’s making motions like he’s throwing an imaginary football, so they’re clearly talking about the sport.

Wyatt’s laughing. He looks so at ease with them, as if he’s known them all for years. Like they didn’t just give him the third degree.

He fits here, with all of us. He fits in a way that no one else ever has. Vinnie certainly didn’t, and that may be part of the reason that I didn’t fight him on moving to L.A.

Archer slaps Wyatt on the shoulder, and they laugh again. Yes, he fits.

With them, and with me.

“I’m glad you brought him,” Nic says softly.

“Me, too.”

“I missed all the good stuff the other night,” Brynna says as she joins us. “I didn’t get to chat with you guys, and I missed out on all of the makeup fun with Lia.”

“I have so much more makeup to give you guys,” I reply and make room for her next to me. “I’m telling you, it arrives every day. And there’s no way that I’ll ever be able to use all of it. You guys should put it to use. Otherwise, it’s just a waste.”

“Well, we are not wasteful,” Stacy says with a laugh.

“I need some book recommendations,” I say to Stacy, who is a book reviewer. “I’m going to take advantage of sitting out by the pool with a book.”

“I’ll send you a list,” she says with a nod.

“Lia!” Stasia comes running from inside. “Archer! We have to go. Something’s wrong with Daddy.”

“What?” I stand and rush to her. “What’s wrong?”

“Mom just called and said they’re on the way to the hospital in an ambulance. He collapsed and isn’t waking up.”

“Fuck,” Archer mutters. “Let’s go.”

I glance around for Wyatt, but he’s right next to me. “I have to go.”

“We’re going, baby.”

“You’ll drive?”

Why am I asking stupid questions? I feel like the floor just fell out from under me, and I can’t get my bearings.

“Of course,” he says and takes my hand. “Just text us with the address of where we’re going.”

Archer nods and glances around. “There’s no need for you guys to wrap up the party. I’ll call when we get there to let you know what’s going on.”

“We can be there in twenty minutes,” Will reminds us. “Just call.”

Anastasia is still on the phone with Mom, crying. She looks at me and shakes her head. “It’s not good.”

“Let’s go,” Wyatt says, leading me out to the car. “It’s going to be okay.”

I nod, feeling tears forming in my eyes.

It has to be okay.

~Amelia~

He had a heart attack.

That’s really all we know right now. We’re in the waiting room, outside of surgery while the surgeons are doing God knows what to my dad. Wyatt is sitting silently next to me, holding my hand. He’s the only thing that’s kept me from losing my shit. Archer is pacing the floor, talking to Matt on his phone, keeping them updated on the little we know.

Mom and Anastasia are sitting across from us, holding onto each other, looking as shell-shocked as I feel.

“Do you want some water?” Wyatt asks softly. I simply shake my head no and hold onto his hand tighter, leaning my head on his shoulder. Mom is watching us with sad eyes.

“I’ll keep you posted.” Archer hangs up the phone and drags his hand down his face. “How long is this going to take? They’ve been in there for two hours.”

“They said it could take a while,” Anastasia reminds him softly.

“I talked Steven and Gail out of coming down here until he’s out of surgery. I’ll call them when we know more.”

“It’s the not knowing that makes me crazy,” I murmur. “Dad’s healthy. I mean, sure, he likes his dessert, but he’s always been fit. Now, suddenly, at sixty-five, he collapses of a heart attack?”

“His father died of a heart attack,” Mom says and dabs a tear from the corner of her eye. I’ve never seen her look this deflated. This . . . old. “I assume it can be genetic.”

We’re quiet for a long moment. Wyatt shifts, wrapping his arm around my shoulders and kissing the top of my head.

He hasn’t said much, but just having him next to me has been wonderful. Normally, I would tell him to go home so I could deal with this myself, but I haven’t had that urge even once. I need him with me. A month ago, that would have sent me running in the other direction. I don’t want to need anyone.

But it’s different with him.

“I’m surprised Jace isn’t the surgeon,” I say to Wyatt.

“He’s not on call tonight,” he replies softly.

“I’m so glad you were in town,” Anastasia says to me, and my eyes fill with tears. Oh my God, if I were still in L.A., I wouldn’t have been here to be with my family. I wouldn’t have been able to tell my dad that I love him and hug him, touch him.

I haven’t even taken the time to see my dad since I’ve been here.

I need to move home.

“Me, too.”

Before I can think about it further, the doctor walks into the room.

“Mrs. Montgomery?”

We all immediately stand, forming a circle around the doctor.

“He’s stable. He had a massive heart attack, and had you not been there with him, he wouldn’t have survived it.”

Wyatt slips his hand into mine once again, holding on tightly.

“We placed two stents into arteries that were completely blocked. I’ll show you those images in the morning when he’s awake, and I can go through things more thoroughly.”

“Where is he?” Mom asks.

“He’s in recovery, and we’ll have him in a room in ICU in about an hour. He will sleep through the night, so I suggest that all of you go home and get some rest.”