♕Harley Anderson♕

It was too much for my brain to absorb, to much to comprehend.

I can feel the exhaustion in my bones from being in a coma and having various injuries. My left arm that's secured in a cast is stiff and uncomfortable and the bandage over my head is itchy and annoying.

I just want to go home.

But I suppose a hospital is safer than the apartment at this point, given that the man who stalked me, burnt me, kidnapped me and put me in an accident, is actually someone I deemed trustworthy.

I can't believe that Frank is the one who is doing it. He was smart about it because none of us ever thought it would be him considering that he was the one who helped keep Danté out of prison in the first place.

I think of Frank's contagious smile and blue eyes, wondering how I couldn't see past his facadé. I remember the comment he made the first day I met him at the park. He said his job was sad because some people don't get justice. Little did I know he was talking about his brother. It's no wonder he spoke to me so much, asked so many questions.

He needed to know what was going in my life.

But then... then he cuts my breaks and I decide to go racing by myself. The one day I decide to go race by myself I crash into a tree. And put myself in a coma that has undeniably torn my mother and Danté down, given the fact that they both look exhausted and as if they should be in hospital themselves.

Danté doesn't know that I know either.

I heard him. Vaguely. But still, I heard him.

I heard him him apologize... I heard him tell me he loves me.

He sounded so worn down and guilty when he cried.

I'm so sorry I've dragged you into this mess. He had said. I wanted to reach out to him and tell him he didn't need to feel bad, that I would rather be with him then anyone else. Please wake up. I... I can't do this without you. I need you Harley. I love you were his next words.

Love is still a strange concept to me. My mother said she loved me and she ran away from home, my brother said he loved me and he abandoned me. Love was not supposed to be betrayal and heartache but that's all I felt from those who loved me.

But if love is feeling alive every time you see someone, if it's wanting to hold them close to you and never stop kissing them, if it's feeling complete admiration for someone even at their lowest, if it's wanting to spend the rest of your life with someone and go through everything life has to offer with them right by your side, then yes, I love Danté. I love him more than anything.

I hear my door open and I look to see Danté himself standing in front of the door with a bouquet of red roses. I smile at the sight of him but don't miss the exhaustion on his face. His hair is sticking up in every which direction and the blue bags under his eyes are darker than the bruises on my arms. But not only is it that but rather the way he carries himself. Danté has a naturally confident and intimidating stride with an unnerving way of carrying himself however, he is not like that now. Now he walks lazily, tiredly, and his shoulders are slumped in defeat.

"Olá almado." He greets me, stepping forward and pecking my cheek. I revel in the feeling.

"Hey." I respond before glancing at the roses. "Who're the flowers for? Someone in the hospital got your eye?" I try to make light of the conversation. His lips quirk up into a tiny smile.

"I'll place them in water." He says, standing up to place them in a jug that's being left behind. I chuckle.

"Thank you Danté. They're beautiful." I comment and he nods, taking a seat beside me. We both stare at each other, his russet brown eyes making me lose myself for a second. We both have so much to say.

"I'm sorry." Is all he manages to push out. "I'm sorry I've put you in the middle of all my drama, that I've put you in danger and fear, I'm sorry I put you in a coma. I'm so sorry Harley. Fuck, I'm so sorry." He's crying now, the tears streaming down his face. "I should have broken things off the minute it all started going south. I should have never acted so irresponsible. But I couldn't leave you, I couldn't because you mean so much to me and, and-"

I reach out to cup his cheek, hating to see him this way. I can hear the remorse in his voice which breaks my heart because I don't blame him for this mess. He stops rambling and looks up to me with such wide and vulnerable eyes.

"It's not your fault Danté. And I don't blame you for any of this. Not one bit. Stop blaming yourself because I don't blame you."

"It is my fault Harley. How can't you see that?" His voice is strained and I open my mouth to try and say something.

"I heard you." I decide to confess and he frowns, obviously confused. "I heard you apologize when I was in the coma."

Understanding what I heard, his eyes widen but I talk before he can say anything.

"I love you Danté." I push out, the words foreign in my mouth but sweet nonetheless, "And that's why I don't blame you, why I'm not mad, because I love you. And I'd rather be by your side and go through all of this shit than not be by your side at all."

He stares at me for a second too long before pressing his lips against mine. The feeling is paradise at my fingertips and I don't complain when he wraps his arms around me. His kiss makes everything that I've said even more meaningful. When he pulls away he nestles his head into the crook of my neck and cries softly. I hold him close, wishing that I could take both our pain away.

****

"My hair feels disgusting." I grumble, picking at an oily strand.

Audrey chuckles from the bottom of my bed. "You still look gorgeous."

I give her a deadpan look and she laughs again.

"As gorgeous as someone who has being in hospital for nearly two weeks can get." Audrey says and I laugh lightly, enjoying the company of my best friend. She couldn't stop crying when she saw me and I must admit that seeing Audrey cry is definitely unnerving. Along with her, Joe and Allison have come to see me as well. Allison is due any day now so Joe will be short on two staff members even though I volunteered to still go to work. I only have one broken arm, after all. Mason and Samantha have also come and given me gifts to help me with my recovery. I saw Mia, too, and that has definitely being the cherry on top of the cake. I have received such an undeniable amount of support that I cannot help but feel utter gratitude to everyone.

"I'm so glad you're back Harley." Audrey says and I smile at her.

"Me too Auds. Your life would be boring without me."

She snorts in amusement. "Who are you trying to fool?"

I laugh at her response before my mom enters. "Hey Miss Anderson." Audrey greets and my mom smiles at her before walking over to me and pressing a kiss to my forehead.

"Hey mom." I say and she smiles at me.

"Hello Harley."

"I'm going to go grab a coffee. Do any of you want?" Audrey asks, standing up and straightening her shirt. My mom and I both shake our heads and she nods before leaving the room. When it's just the two of us, I turn to my mom.

"How are you feeling?" She asks and I shrug.

"Fine." I respond. Not being able to move without having my torso flare up in pain is extremely annoying and my arm in the cast likes to itch even though I cannot scratch it.

"How are you emotionally sweetheart?" My mom clarifies and I glance at her. Memories of me crashing into the tree flood my mind and how the sound of crunching metal and glass was all I could hear. It's being a constant nightmare. But I won't say anything.

"I'm fine." I lie. She watches me carefully.

"Are you going to keep racing after you recover?" She jumps right into it.

I look down at my lap. "I love it mom."

"You almost died Harley." She snaps.

"I know that."

"You're putting yourself in danger every time you do this."

"Did you come here just to fight with me?" I snap, not in the mood to be having this discussion right now. She sighs tiredly and shakes her head.

"Of course not. I wanted to find out if you'll be coming home when they discharge you."

I purse my lips. I can't live with her and Mia when I have a psycho after me and Danté. I can't risk dragging Olivia and Mia into this.

"No. I'll be staying at my apartment like usual." I say, leaving out the fact that I've actually being with Danté.

"Are you sure? You're going to need help with your broken arm."

"Yeah. Audrey will help me and if need be, Cameron too. Plus, it's also closer to college and my break is nearly over." I explain, my reasoning sounding silly to even my own ears. I see the hesitation in her eyes as she purses her lips.

"Are you sure? I don't mind helping you honey."

I reach for her hand and envelope it in mine. "One hundred percent. You need to look after Mia and not worry about me. I'm a big girl mom, I can cope."

She gives me a sad smile but nods anyway. "Alright. But if you ever want to come home, you can alright? I don't mind helping you baby."

I smile at her. "Thank you mom. I love you."

She smiles at me. "I love you too."

The door then opens and closes to reveal Danté. My face immediately lights up when I see him.

"Hey." I greet, watching him put a black duffel bag on the floor.

"Hola amado." He greets, coming over to peck my lips. He then turns to my mom and nods his head in greeting. "Hello Miss Anderson." He greets and my mom smiles at him.

"Hello Cameron."

He looks between the two of us. "Am I interrupting something?" He asks and my mom shakes her head before standing up.

"Not at all. I need to go and fetch Mia from school." She smiles at me. "I'll see you later honey."

"Bye mom." I respond before she bids her goodbyes to Danté and leaves the room. I then turn to him with a mischievous smile.
"What you got there?"

He smiles before unzipping the bag. He pulls out a pair of fuzzy pajamas with cats on them and hands it to me. He then precedes to pull out a bottle of shampoo and conditioner with my toothbrush.

"And..." he says, pulling out an oversized hoodie. "I brought you one of my hoodies since you love stealing it so much."

I smile gratefully at him. "Thank you so much Danté. You have no idea how tired I am of having my ass out in the open because of this damn gown." I grumble, tugging at the blue material. He smirks.

"I'm not complaining."

I roll my eyes. "You can't even see it."

"I would be able to if you showed me."

"Shut up." I retort and he chuckles. I then notice him retrieve a white container out of the bag and when he opens it to reveal waffles, I gasp. "Waffles!"

He chuckles and hands it to me. I immediately tuck in, the fluffy goodness making me moan in satisfaction. "I cannot live without your waffles." I say and he smiles as he leans back in the chair and watches me eat. When the container is empty, I lean back in my bed before watching him.

"Are you going to sleep at home tonight?" I ask hopefully. Over the last few days, Danté has being sleeping here and even though I love having his comfort and presence with me, he needs to rest just as much as I do.

"Probably not. Why? Trying to get rid of me?" He teases and I giggle.

"No. But I do want you to rest. You need to let your body recharge."

He purses his lips. "You'll be out in the next two days. I can wait that long."

I shake my head. "Please sleep at home tonight and get some rest. We'll have plenty of time together when I return."

"You are my home." He responds seriously and my breath hitches in my throat. I guess it is true though- home isn't always a place, sometimes it's a person. And Danté is that person.

I sigh. "I love you way too much. You know that?" I playfully scold and he smiles, lifting my hand up to his lips.

"You could never love me more than I love you."

•••

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The next update will be on Christmas day instead of on Saturday next week.

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