Page 55 of Holding On

Tinsley and Dahlia pull apart, both wiping away tears as Tinsley walks over to sit next to Fiona’s bedside and gingerly picks up her hand. “So, Fi, I won’t be here for a little bit because apparently you and I draw too much attention when we’re together—go figure. But your sister is going to keep me in constant communication. I’m probably going to annoy her, but it’s only because we all love you so much. It would be fantastic if you could come back to us and show us those gorgeous eyes, but if you need more time to rest, then you do that. We just want you back.”

Tinsley’s voice cracks and I don’t stop my feet from walking to her so I can place a hand on her shoulder. “Please, Fi, you have to come back to us. We all need you, and I don’t want to do this without my bestie. I love you so much and I’m so…” She pauses to look up at the ceiling as she wipes away tears and takes a deep breath—or as deep as she can right now—before continuing, “I’m so damn sorry you were in that car with us. I need you to wake up and yell at me about it or tell me to stop blaming myself. Yell at me, laugh at me, I don’t care, I just need my bestie to come back, okay? You hear me? I love you forever, Fi. I can’t wait to hear your voice again.” Tinsley stands and leans over Fiona’s bed, with the room silent other than the ventilator that’s breathing for Fiona right now. She softly kisses her friend’s forehead, careful to avoid the bandages from some of the cuts she received from glass and debris in the crash. Tinsley turns and leans into me as I wrap my arm around her.

Wells reaches over and squeezes her shoulder in support, but I’m not letting go of her, not this time.

We stay for a few more minutes until a doctor comes in to discuss recent test results with Dahlia. As we say our goodbyes, Tinsley makes Dahlia promise to call or text her with any needs or updates, and Dahlia vows to keep her in the loop.

Tinsley asked yesterday if she could stay at the hospital so she could be with Fiona, but there is a valid security concern with both of them here, especially with how angry some of the public outcry is about Tinsley’s involvement.

Roman Cash was an amazing singer and performer, but two things can be true at the same time, and Roman was also a terrible human being in general. However, his fans didn’t acknowledge that truth; they only loved him and believed the persona he tried so hard to shove down their throats. The public relations team that managed his image did a very good job of cultivating the belief that Roman was just a good ol’ boy who was having fun and loved his fans even more than his music—none of those statements were remotely true. The only thing Roman loved more than himself was his money.

His death is being blamed on Tinsley, even though the entire accident was Roman’s fault if anyone’s at all. He likely didn’t tamper with his own brake lines, but if the brakes had failed on the busy street where they were supposed to be going, it would’ve just been some bumps and bruises. Instead, they failed when he was driving recklessly, going twenty miles over the speed limit on the interstate, which resulted in his death, Tinsley being injured, and Fiona fighting for her life.

“The jet will land in Nashville midafternoon, so we can grab a late lunch if you don’t want to eat on the plane, or I can have something delivered to the house,” Wells says as we step out of the elevator and move toward the SUV. Tinsley looks at me with questioning eyes, and I gently squeeze her hand to assure her I’ll handle it.

“We can eat on the jet, that’s fine,” Tinsley quietly says as we slide into the backseat and Wells sits in the front, next to Thor. We’ve decided to have him stay at the hospital and guard Fiona, but he insisted on driving us to the airport at least. I click her seatbelt, kissing her forehead quickly, before fastening mine as we leave the hospital. Tinsley won’t be having any public appearances for the foreseeable future, so we will follow the standard security protocol, and notify Thor if anything changes.

But first, I need to notify her brother of a change.

“Hey man, just so you know, when we land, Tinsley isn’t going to be staying with you in Nashville.”

Wells turns from the front seat to look at me. “What do you mean? Where else would she go?”

She adjusts her grip in my hand so our fingers are intertwined as I answer, “Forrest Falls.”

Wells scrunches his eyebrows and shakes his head slightly. “I don’t … why would we go to Forrest Falls? I have way more space at my place in Nashville, and you know I have to go finish those negotiations in London before the end of the month, but she can just come with me. I won’t leave her alone in Forrest Falls.”

“She won’t be alone in Forrest Falls, because she’s coming—and staying—with me.” I squeeze Tinsley’s hand. She was the one that initiated this conversation the other night and clearly stated she felt safer with me, which was good because otherwise I was moving into Wells’s house in Nashville with her. I have a place in Nashville too, but Tinsley needs a calm place to heal without feeling like she has to be a prisoner indoors. Forrest Falls can be her sanctuary from the storm, and hopefully, my hometown will be the perfect place for her to relax, and even more importantly, heal.

“Wait, what? Listen, I’ve been real chill about the two of you, but I’m not letting you just steal my sister, man.” Wells looks between Tinsley and me, before focusing on our joined hands. “Or … is this … are you guys really a thing now? Like for real?”

“You know, for a genius, sometimes you overlook really obvious social cues,” Tinsley chimes in. “He isn’t stealing me, I promise, Wells. I actually … I actually asked him if I could go with him.” I wasn’t going to even tell Wells that, willing to take his frustration in full, but I’m proud of her for speaking up for what she wants and needs—I know that’s not necessarily her natural reaction to things, especially if it leads to a potential confrontation.

“Oh! I … uh … well, okay then. Am I allowed to visit? I do have a loft in his damn building,” he mutters.

“Of course, Wells, I still want to see you. I just didn’t want to leave Jack. Does that make sense? I appreciate everything you’ve done for me, and you really are the best brother in the entire world.” Tinsley’s kind words seem to soothe her brother’s ruffled feathers.

“Well, okay then.”

“And speaking of your loft … do you mind if Allie stays in it while I’m in town? She isn’t going to be there full time; she’s going to handle things for me in Nashville but occasionally may need to come out to Forrest Falls, and I’d prefer her to stay close to me if that’s okay.”

“Yeah, of course. There are three guest rooms; she can stay wherever. But I don’t think there’s much in there for food or anything. I haven’t been there in ages.”

Lux may be headquartered in Nashville, but we have offices around the world, including a satellite office in Forrest Falls. I was sick of going back and forth when we had family stuff going on, and I knew Max would rather be in a small town. So, when I mentioned building something where we could have condos and space to work in Forrest Falls, Wells suggested we set up a satellite office there. Now, anyone that wants to work out of that location can be given the option if it’s possible for their position. So, I built the building, and technically, Lux rents their office space from me personally.

I like that I control the building—and it allows my place to feel more like home to me.

When I built the building, I designed the top floor to be my own personal residence then split the floor below it into two large lofts. Wells bought one of the lofts and my other best friend Max bought the second one. Max rarely leaves the Forrest Falls location, although he does physically leave the building daily—even if only to walk the few blocks to visit his girlfriend at her bakery, Sprinkles. Cara has guardianship of her niece Mila, and her nephew Dante. The three of them moved into Max’s loft just before Christmas last year, and I’ve never seen Max so happy. I knew he was smitten when he asked where I bought the bunkbeds for my nieces that are in one of my guest rooms—three months before Cara and him got back together.

Tinsley knows that Cami is staying with me right now, but my place is large enough that there is plenty of space. It helps that they met at Savannah and Theo’s wedding, and I suspect the two of them will become fast friends. If not, it’s the entire top floor and there are five bedrooms, six and a half baths, a library, and an entire rooftop terrace, with an in-ground pool, entertaining space, outdoor kitchen, and gym space for them to avoid each other.

I don’t think that’s going to be an issue, though.

“But I have to say … she’s my sister, Jack. If you hurt her, I don’t care that you’re my best friend—I will end you.” Wells is being serious, and while I can understand his sentiment, I actually love that he is saying this in front of Tinsley so she can see the depth that he’s willing to go to protect her—even from me.

“I would never, Wells. But if I do, you can even call Liam to help, okay?”

He nods and Tinsley smiles—really smiles—for the first time in days. It’s not a big smile, but it’s still a smile. She closes her eyes and leans her head on my shoulder as we make the rest of the drive to the airport in silence. There’s a lot of healing that’s necessary, but that’s why we’re going to Forrest Falls.