Written with Regret (The Regret Duet #1)(78)

“I’m fine,” he lied, the pallor of his face growing grayer by the minute. “Really.”

It was such a war zone that the paramedics and police were racing around in and out of the kitchen. They didn’t have the time to fight with a fifteen-year-old boy who claimed he was okay while dozens of other people lay dying only yards away.

“You saved my life. Now, it’s time to save yours.”

“There are other people who—”

My entire body exploded in pain as I shouted, “There’s you!”

“I’m sorry,” he repeated for the millionth time, and even with as much pain and shock as I was in, it pissed me off.

“Fine. If you want me to forgive you, let them help you. You owe me that. Your dad did this to me.” It was the lowest of low blows. But I was desperate.

His eyes got wide, and seeing the shame slash through those crystal blues was more painful than anything else. I just wanted him to be okay, even if it broke my heart.

“That’s not fair.”

“Neither is you dying. Let them help you, Caven, and I’ll forgive you. I promise. I will.”

A pair of black boots entered my peripheral vision, and the paramedic who had been helping me said, “Son, listen to the girl. I need you to lie back now. We need to get you both out of here.”

I gave his hand a squeeze and whispered, “Please.”

He screwed his eyes tight, his resolve crumbling alongside his failing body. “I won’t be able to forgive myself.”

“But I will.”

He broke into another round of sobs, sliding down to the side to rest his forehead on my hand.

He put up no more fight as they rushed in, cut his shirt off him, and went to work on the gaping hole in his abdomen.

He winced and cried.

He held my hand.

And he profusely apologized until his voice could no longer carry the words.

Just as they were moving me to carry me out to an ambulance, his hand slipping from my grip, he opened his eyes and, in a voice so slurred and filled with gravel, called out, “Wait! What’s your name?”

It was the last word I would ever say to Caven Lowe.

“Willow.”




To be continued in…

Written with You

coming June 13, 2019