Page 16 of It's Always Been You

Thud.

The floor disappears from under my feet and my weight crashes down into the dark, never-ending abyss. My eyes roll back in my skull and…the world goes black.

My father had been right.

I really am cursed, and anyone who ever comes close to me, will be damned.

CHAPTER FOUR

Colton

A week later

“Are you sure you don’t need me there? Say the word, Colton, and I’ll catch a plane tonight,” Lila says, sounding a little out of breath. “If Riley needs me—”

“She’s fine.”

“She is definitely not fine!” she exclaims. “She’s not picking up my calls. I’m worried about her. Is she eating? Oh my God, I should be with her right now.”

My gaze flits over to where Riley is curled up on the couch, sleeping with a pained expression on her face. She looks so small and fragile in that moment, a stark contrast to her usual fiery demeanor.

I sigh, rubbing a hand over my face. “You’re right, she’s not fine. But she will be. Right now, you need to focus on Maddox while I take care of Riley.”

Brad Coulter is dying. From cancer.

Maddox was never close with his father. In fact, my best friend hated Brad. They never got along, and if they were ever in the same room — it was a disaster of male testosterone. Years of unchecked anger and festered disappointment. Things always got ugly when son and father were together.

The only thing fatherly Brad Coulter has ever done is fund Maddox’s lifestyle.

Maybe that’s why Maddox and I are best friends.

Our fathers are practically alike in every way possible. I guess in some ways, Maddox and I are cut from the same cloth. We were born in the corrupted world of high-society, only to be shackled by its ambiguous rules and left to deal with the aftermath of our decaying souls.

The world only sees what we show them.

A lavish lifestyle: we had everything we could ever dream of — wealth, prestige, power, a perfect family.

Except, it truly is only a facade. A perfect fucking lie.

Maybe it’s a trademark for rich kids. To have shitty parents who really don’t give a shit about you because they only care about their selfish ambitions and disgusting motives.

But things changed for Maddox when he found out his father had cancer. I guess they are trying to repair their broken relationship before Brad runs out of time. So right now, my best friend needs the love of his life with him. Maddox is stronger with Lila by his side.

Maddox needs Lila.

Riley has me.

And this is exactly how it’s meant to be.

I hear Lila take a deep breath on the other end of the line; her concern palpable even through the phone. She can’t be in two places at the same time. Because while I know if I told her to be here, she’d drop everything to be by Riley’s side, but she wouldn’t want to leave Maddox alone either.

To be here for her best friend, or to stay back for the man she loves. Lila is in a terrible predicament, with either choice leaving her with lingering guilt. She’s always been fiercely protective of Riley, and those she loves. Maddox chose the right woman for himself.

“Maddox may not show it, but he is falling apart right now,” I say firmly. Lila has always been the glue to hold Maddox together. “He needs you more than Riley does.”

There’s a moment of silence before she finally speaks, her voice soft but resolute. “Okay, but please keep me updated on Riley. And Grayson, of course.”

I nod, even though she can’t see me. “Yes, I promise. I’ll talk to you later.”

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