I Won't Give Up on You Read Free Page A

sniffled.

 
     
    The smell of soap drifted through the air, tickling my senses. Caston must have taken a shower, I thought. Then I felt it, a warm sponge moving along up my leg and down the other, ever so slowly. I recognized the hands. Caston was bathing me. There was music playing in the background. It was too quiet to recognize, but it seemed to calm me.
    I felt my eyes flutter, and my heart skipped a beat. Caston was facing away from me, taking care of washing my feet.
    He was wearing a tight white t-shirt with worn blue jeans that fit him in all the right places. I felt butterflies in my stomach. He’s here, my Caston is here. I love this man so much.
    “Cass?” I whispered. My throat hurt and felt like it was on fire. I tried to move, but my arms and legs felt like lead.
    Caston swung around so fast he knocked the pan of soapy water onto the floor. “Sabrina?”
    I tried to smile. His arms were around me, pulling me into him, before I could even process moving. His kisses landed all over my face. “Sabrina, I knew you wouldn’t give up. I just couldn’t believe when they said you might not come back to me. I love you, Bre.”
    Tears started trailing down my cheeks. Just as his lips found mine, a crash of glass pulled us apart. Sara had just turned the corner into my room. She was stopped dead in her tracks, staring at me like she didn’t believe what she was seeing. The floor was littered with broken glass, flowers, and the bag of food that she had brought for Caston. She rushed to the bed side and scooped up my hand in hers, tears falling down her face.
    Nurses and doctors rushed into the room when they heard the commotion. Caston and Sara were moved away from me. I kept my eyes glued to Caston. His silver blue eyes had a red tint to them. How long has he been sitting by my side?
    He smiled. His perfect lips mouthed, ‘I love you, baby’ . I felt like everyone was moving in slow motion and they would never leave.
    As I looked around the room, I couldn’t believe the amount of flowers and cards lining the walls and window sills. Sara was by the windows on her phone. Finally, the last nurse and doctor left my room, and Caston was immediately by my side, his lips covering mine. I raised my hand to try to pull him closer to me, but I was stopped by the IVs. I backed out of the kiss and frowned. “How long have I been like this, Caston?”
    His hand cupped my cheek, and I placed my hand over his. The warmth spread through my body. “Sabrina, it’s been a little over a month. I was so scared.”
    My mouth fell open. “My dance review, graduation—the shooting and Beverly?” I felt my eyes start to water. My breathing became heavy and shallow.
    “Professor Lee passed you without the review. She didn’t need to see you dance.”
    “But, Caston, how will I get a job dancing, not being part of the review? That’s all my parents ever wanted. All I’ve ever wanted.” Tears threatened on their brink. Any minute they were going to fall.
    Caston leaned forward and lightly kissed my forehead. “Bre… how can I tell you this?” He paused, looking sick.
    “What?” I whispered, barely able to talk.
    “The doctors aren’t sure if you’ll be able to dance again.”
    I pulled out of his embrace. “What?”
    He swallowed hard. “I’m so sorry, Sabrina.”
    I laid back on the bed and faced away from him. I couldn’t breathe. My life had been taken away, even though my body drew breath. One split second and everything changed. My chest hurt, as if someone squeezed my heart. I began sobbing uncontrollably. “My whole life I’ve wanted to be a dancer. My parents gave up so much for me to get where I was. They even gave up their lives, and now I can’t even give them this one last thing.”
    “Your parents would be proud of you. For the women you’ve become. One thing I promise you, Sabrina, I will do everything possible to help you get back to dancing. I won’t give up if you won’t.” He stroked my