Page 99 of Holden’s Resurrection

Holden stared at the shiny metal above his head. Guilt crushed him to his small mattress, and the longer he lay there contemplating his mistakes, the harder it was to comprehend how badly he’d fucked up.

Pride goes before destruction.

Long ago, Holden had destroyed his life. What he hadn’t known at the time was the repercussions would be lasting and devastating. He’d hurt Leigh-Leigh, but worse, he’d unknowingly turned his back on his child.

I’m that asshole.

The door to his Airstream creaked open and he didn’t bother lifting his head when he roared, “Out!”

There was no response but Holden didn’t need there to be. The air around him charged and crackled with unhappiness.

“I’m not leaving.”

“I thought you were Chasin,” Holden explained but still didn’t get up. Didn’t even glance in Charleigh’s direction as she walked through his small space.

“He’s worried about you.”

“Is that why you came over here, to tell me that Chasin’s outside pacing, waiting for me to start tearing things apart?” Holden paused and blew out a breath. “Sorry, that was a dick thing to say.”

“Actually, I think he’s out there to make sure you don’t run.”

That made Holden sit upright.

“I’m not—”

“I know,” she sighed.

His heart skipped a beat when he saw her red-rimmed eyes and blotchy face.

Fuck.

They stared at each other for a good long while. There was so much to say, but Holden couldn’t find the words. He felt his mouth get tight and tighter still as realized in the space of a few hours, he’d been given everything only to have it taken away.

How could he ask Charleigh to forgive him yet again? For another monumental fuck-up. His first offense was bad enough—leaving her had scarred her. Leaving her and their unborn child—unforgivable.

“How are you?” she whispered.

“Me?”

Everything about Charleigh relaxed seeing that Holden tensed. He was about to ask her if she was shitting him asking him how he was.

He was wrecked.

Totally and completely disgusted with himself.

Eight years and some months ago, he had everything he ever wanted within his grasp. Every. Last. Thing. It had been right in front of him and he’d turned it away.

“Never mind, I know how you are.”

Doubtful. She hadn’t missed out on her child being brought into this world. She hadn’t denied she made a child.

“Leigh-Leigh, I think—”

“No, Holden. I gave you time to get yourself together. Now we need to talk.”

He swung his legs over the side of his bed and clenched his jaw until he managed to wrangle his temper.

“Think I need a little more time to get myself together.”