Chapter 74

"Alyssa," a familiar voice said in the distance.
Someone was holding my hand. I tried to open my eyes as I fought the darkness.
"Alyssa, it's me. Craig. Wake up."
But his voice wasn't the one I longed to hear. Tears trickled from my eyes onto the pillow as I slowly opened my eyes. "Craig Logan."
He nodded as he bit his lower lip. "Yes. I know, Alyssa. I'm so sorry," he said as sincerity lit his eyes. Then, he looked around to others in the room. "She's awake!"
Somehow, my head was feeling better and I could hear properly. My eyesight had greatly improved, too. "How long have I been out?"
He let out a deep breath as my mother appeared at my side. "Almost a week since the last time you woke."
"From the last time I woke?" I asked in disbelief.
She nodded as tears formed in her eyes.
"Mom, could I speak with Craig along for a minute?" I tried to sit up, and both my mother and my father helped me. My head wasn't spinning, but it was still hurting.
My mother bit her lower lip as she quickly swiped her hand over her cheeks, catching the tears. "Of course, dear. I'll be right in the other room if you need me."
"Maybe we'll go get something to eat," my father insisted. It was obvious that he was trying to give us some privacy.
"No. I couldn't leave " Mom retorted.
"Mom, I'm sure you haven't left my side since the accident." I swallowed, trying to clear the lump from my throat, but it was still there. "Go! I promise I'll be here when you return."
She smiled at my weak joke as she gently kissed my forehead. "Okay, but we won't be gone long."
I forced a smile. "Take your time."
She nodded, and my father pulled me to him and gave me a gentle kiss on the top of the head.
"Ow!" I said as I forced a smile.
"Sorry, honey," he said, his eyes sad. "We'll be back soon."
I nodded and watched as they left the room. Mom turned around and blew me one more kiss from the hallway.
After they were gone, I turned my attention back to Craig. "You're here? In West Palm Beach? What about your commitments in Nashville?"
He took my hand and kissed it, but I pulled away. He forced a smile, pretending not to notice. "You are much more important."
I closed my eyes as another tear slid down the side of my face.
"When you're ready to go back on tour again "
"No," I said as my eyes flew open wide.
A crease formed between his eyes. "I'm not talking about right now, but when you recover "
"No," I said, cutting him off. "What have you done about the tour?"
He let out a deep breath. "I cancelled the rest of the tour dates. But we can book another when you're feeling up to it. Tasha said to take as long as you need."
I closed my eyes as visions of Logan filled my mind. Logan playing his guitar while we were alone in my apartment Logan playing music with his band Logan.
Craig placed a hand on the side of my cheek, forcing me to open them. "You don't have to make a decision right now, but when you're ready "
I shook my head. "I'm not sure if I'll ever be ready."
A tear appeared in the corner of Craig's eye. "Just give it time."
I nodded as I fought back tears.
"I'll take you back to Nashville when you're ready," Craig said, matter of fact.
"Craig, aren't you listening to me?" I raised my voice, but it only hurt my head. I continued, but this time, my voice was softer. "I don't want to go back."
He bit his top lip as his eyes narrowed. "So, you're going to throw everything away, give everything up-your career, Nashville, your dreams?" He thought for a moment as he looked into my eyes. "Yes; Logan is dead. But do you really think that he would want you to give everything up for him?"
I closed my eyes as tears slid slowly down my cheeks. But every time I closed my eyes, all I could see was Logan. "I should have given everything up for him when he asked me to marry him."
Craig sat back, and then nodded. He had to have known, but it was still a shock to him. It was the first time that he had heard it from my lips.
I looked down at my ring finger. The blue sapphire was still there. "We were on our way to get married. We had just left his parents' house when it happened."
Craig placed his hand on my arm. "I'm so sorry, Alyssa."
"You're awake!" Greer said, smiling as she rushed into the room, her long blonde hair falling over her shoulders.
Craig patted my arm, and then rose to his feet. "We can talk about this later when you're ready."
I nodded. "Thank you, Craig."
He nodded. "Greer, it's good to see you again," he said, and then left the room.
Greer looked at me, lifting an eyebrow. "And what was that all about?"
I shook my head. "Nothing. Just Craig being Craig."
Greer nodded. "You know you can talk to me, Alyssa. I'm here for you."
I nodded as tears filled my eyes once again. "Thanks, Greer." I thought for a moment, and then said, "I just can't believe he's gone."
Greer nodded as tears trickled down her cheeks.
"Did you speak to his parents?"
Greer shook her head, and then cleared her throat. "They spoke to Mom and Dad. They took his body to New York."
I nodded as tears spilled over onto my cheeks. "Did you see him?"
Greer bit her lip as she shook her head. "No."
"It's just that it's so hard to believe without any closure," I said, desperately trying to make sense of it all.
Greer scooped up my hand and held it to her cheek. "When you're feeling better and out of the hospital, we can go to New York to find his grave, if you like."
I nodded as tears coursed down my cheeks. "I just can't believe that he's gone!"
Greer wrapped her arms around me and pulled me to her as we both cried together. After a few minutes, Greer pulled back. "Are you going back to Nashville?"
I shook my head. "I'm not sure. I told Craig that I didn't want any part of it anymore, but I'm not sure."
Greer looked into my eyes as she pushed back a strand of my hair. "Just think about it, Alyssa. You don't have to make any decisions now."
I nodded, and then leaned back as my tears fell upon the pillow. Images of Logan filled my mind as I sobbed, wondering how I could ever go on without him.
END OF VOLUME ONE: IF TOMORROW COMES, PART 1