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That kiss wasn’t my proudest moment because I knew she was with Caden. It was the summer after her junior year in high school, and she was upset that her dad was moving them to Asheville.
“He was such a dick that night at the bar after you guys went to the sonogram. Showed up drunk—going on and on about you having his baby. I snapped and told him I was the reason you broke up with him back then.”
“You know that’s totally not true, though, right? I had thought about ending things with him for weeks before that.”
“I know. But it felt good to get a jab in. He came at me. Some of the guys intervened, and then he took off before anyone could stop him. I’m so sorry. I never thought he would show up at your apartment. We all assumed he went home to sleep it off.” I cupped my mouth with my free hand. “I should have kept my cool and stopped him.”
“I should have tried harder to stop him, too, after I realized how drunk he was.” She shifted on the swing to face me, placing her hand on my arm. “But we didn’t force him to drive drunk. Hechoseto do that, and I think we should let go of the guilt we both carry.”
“I don’t know how to do that,” I admitted as I stood, Brendan still in my arms. “I’ll carry Brendan in for you.” Effectively changing the subject, I turned and made my way up the hill to the house, needing a moment with my thoughts.
I haven’t thought about that night in so long.
The night I played a part in the death of Brendan’s father.
The Past
July 20th, Ten years earlier.
Chapter Five
Bella
“You can’t beserious, Dad. I start my senior year in two months.”
“Bella, please sit down. I want us to talk about this. I want you to understand—I just can’t stay here any longer.” Allen sighed before he went on. “I know it’s been almost two years, but everywhere I look, I see your mom. The constant reminder is painful—plus, it would be better if I were closer to my office in Asheville.”
“I don’t want to live in Asheville! All my friends are here—I only have one year left of high school, and then I’ll be off at college.” I sat down across from him, hoping I could negotiate. “Please, Dad, can’t we wait until next summer? At least let me finish out the year here.”
“I’m sorry, Bella, but this isn’t up for negotiation. The house will go up for sale later this week.”
Tears were streaming down my face, and my chest rose and fell in an erratic rhythm. “I need to go,” I mumbled, before racing for the back door.
I vaguely heard my dad shouting, “Bella, wait!”
My boyfriend, Caden, should have been the one I sought out, but he wasn’t. I had been putting off ending things for weeks now, but the fact that I wanted to seek comfort from someone else cemented what needed to be done. Or ratherwhoI wanted to console me. I could have gone to my best friend, Ashley; she would have let me rant, but we were so different. She liked to say I wore my heart on my sleeve, and she liked to keep hers hidden away. What I needed was someone who would hold me while I cried, and that wasn’t Ashley.
I made my way along the path that led through the trees and down to the lake, walking the shore until I spotted him.
“Rhett,” I called out, my heart and feet picking up speed as I approached him.
He turned and started in my direction.
“What’s wrong?” he asked once he stood a foot in front of me. His strong hands covered my shoulders as he searched my face for the answer.
“My dad’s moving us to Asheville,” I sobbed. “I—I—can’t—believe—this is happening.”
He enveloped me in a hug, and I fisted the back of his shirt.
“Shh—it’s okay,” he gently soothed. “I’m here for you, Bella. I’m always here for you.”
We stood there like that until my sobs subsided before he pulled back to look at me. He cradled my face with his palms on either side and used his thumbs to wipe away the last of my tears. His eyes darkened slightly as his gaze landed on my mouth.
Oh. My. God. Is he going to kiss me?
Slowly, he leaned in. I felt his warm breath inches from my face. Tenderly, our lips brushed, causing a flutter sensation low in my belly, but just once before…
“Hattie, wait up!” Savannah yelled from somewhere in the trees.
