Read Never Let Go (Take My Hand) for Free Online

not
sure I ever will be again.”
    “You will. I promise you. I don’t know when and I don’t know
how but you will.”
    She smiled softly, pacifying me. Though I knew she didn’t
believe me.
     
    The next couple of hours dragged in silence – the only
sounds being our breathing and the occasional sniff of Emily’s tears. What if
she was right? What if she never was okay again? Every time I looked at her I
saw this fragile, broken little girl and every part of me ached to fix her. But
I couldn’t.
    A knock at the door pulled me out of my thoughts. Emily was
upstairs getting changed so I walked over to answer it. I knew it would be Snickers.
The original plan was for them to meet up and go out somewhere, but after
today’s events Emily wanted to stay in. Chris was staying the night with a
friend to give them some ‘girly time’ and once Em came downstairs, I was
heading to Aunt Sarah’s.
    “Hey, American,” she greeted. “Move ‘em or lose ‘em,” she
added, pointing to my legs. Smiling, I stepped aside and let her wheel past me
before closing the door. “Where’s Em?”
    “Upstairs. Is Jared still on for tonight?” I knew he was,
because I texted him. I guess I was just making conversation.
    “Yep. I think he’s secretly really chuffed. He’s missed your
bromance.”
    Bromance?
    “Rachel!” Emily said, leaping across the room and bending
down to hug her. Still no smile…
    “Whoah… What’s going on, Em? You sounded like shit on the
phone.”
    “I’ll leave you guys to it,” I interrupted, walking over to
Emily and bringing her in for a kiss. “You gonna be okay? I really don’t mind
staying.”
    “Seriously you guys are really shitting me up now,” Snickers
piped up.
    “I’ll be fine,” Emily assured, but I just couldn’t bring
myself to believe her.
    “Well I won’t be late. Don’t ever forget that I love you.”
    “Love you too.”
    Wrinkling my face in concern, I kissed her chastely on the
lips, nodded to Snickers and then left for Aunt Sarah’s.
    **********
    Using my key, I opened Aunt Sarah’s front door. My neck
jerked back a little and my eyes widened in surprise when I saw Jared sitting
on her couch with his legs spread out.
    “Wasn’t expecting you for another hour,” I said, kicking the
door closed behind me and walking over to him to shake his hand.
    “I was bored, and I didn’t think your lovely aunt here would
mind my awesome company.” Jared winked at Aunt Sarah, making my stomach churn.
    “Dude… no flirting with my aunt,” I scolded, shaking my head
and trying not to smile. Aunt Sarah giggled and raised her palms in the air. “You
find the place okay?”
    “Taxi driver did, yeah.”
    After making my way over to the recliner, I flopped
backwards and let out a heavy groan.
    “What a fucking day,” I breathed, feeling completely
exhausted.
    “What’s happened, honey? Is Emily okay?” Aunt Sarah asked.
    “Chris is dying,” I blurted out, pinching the bridge of my
nose between my fingers as if that would make a difference to the violent
headache I was getting. No one spoke, but both Jared and Aunt Sarah’s mouths
dropped open. “Brain tumor,” I added.
    “Jesus,” Jared muttered.
    “My God, poor Emily. How is she coping?”
    “She’s not. And I don’t have a fucking clue how to help
her.”
    “You stay strong, that’s how you help her,” Aunt Sarah said
firmly. The hidden meaning didn’t go unnoticed. She was effectively telling me
no matter how hard this situation was, now was not the time to get off my face on whatever substance I could lay
my hands on.
    “I have no intention of using again.” And I meant it. Of
course I’d considered it. The second I found the letter in Chris’ truck my skin
started to itch… but I will not let
Emily down again. Not ever.
    “I wasn’t suggesting you were,” she retorted, flashing me a
motherly smile.
    “Yes you were, and I don’t blame you. I’ve thought about it,
sure. But I won’t go there