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He deserved his time with Shaye.
I still don’t regret what I did, outside of lying to her. It was unavoidable and I planned to come clean about this.
First, I had to actually read this letter.
My focus had been on Shaye, gauging her expressions as she read.
Some soft smiles and small sobs would escape, then shock, and I was itching to know what was on those pages.
Her brown eyes had been glossy with tears since I’d arrived but now they were full of pain and I wished I could take it from her.
How could I when I had my own pain to bear? My best friend was gone and I spent every day trying to figure out how to be me without him.
If not for moving here to Lockwood, I don’t know if I would even manage to wake up. Micah, Riven, and Drew literally pulled me out of rock bottom and gave me a chance to really live.
I’d taken on a job after seeing a listing at the coffee shop. They were looking for an electrician to help with some renovations. I was, apparently, the only licensed one in the area that they could trust.
One afternoon together and they’d decided I was going to be their friend. Micah had a room I could stay in and got me out of the inn. They helped me get up every day and find passion in renovating houses, and now I felt almost human most days.
They knew my shit and I knew theirs.
Riven was raised by abusive parents and sometimes still struggled with his own mental health. My parents took them in as their own and he’s slowly healing.
They were the same with Micah and his sister, Ellie. His parents were terrible and he hasn’t talked to his parents much after they humiliated his sister on live TV and made her out to be crazy.
I’ve met Ellie and she didn’t deserve any of the drama that had followed her appearance on a reality dating show. She’s got a pack now and a baby, she’s living her best life.
Then there was Drew
Together we could talk about anything and on our bad days? We had each other to fall back on.
They knew I was here and offered to come but this was one thing I needed to face alone.
If she rejected me, I knew they’d be there for me.
The mere thought of it had my stomach rolling and bile rising. I’d waited for her for so long I couldn’t wrap my head around an outcome like that.
“Are you going to read it?” Shaye asked gently. With a breath I nodded, finally focusing on the handwritten letter. My brother’s final goodbye to me.
Lake,
I hate that I have to leave you like this. We’ve been so close all our lives and the thought of not being by your side makes the pain even worse.
Take care of our mate, Lake, because I know she’s yours. I found your blockers not long after I found out. I was selfish and for that I’m so fucking sorry. I wanted my time with her and was bitter that you’d get her entire future without me.
Thank you for giving it to me without being asked. I knew your intentions and I didn’t hesitate to do what I needed at the time.
But it wasn’t fair to you. You deserved better from me.
She is going to need you. Shaye has such a good heart and this is slowly killing her. I worry how she’ll manage after this and I need to know that she still has you.
Don’t let your pain get between your friendship. Be there for each other, heal together. Live the life that I won’t get to.
Take this time and talk, because I know damn well she’s too stubborn to talk to anyone. She shuts down and I’m scared, Lake. Terrified that she’s not doing well. Help her move on, help her heal, and let her do the same for you.
You’ll be amazing together.
Something inside of me tells me that you’ll need a nudge, a way to come together. So, I’ve provided just that. Tomorrow, whenever tomorrow may be for you, I want you to go to the website at the bottom of this letter.
