Page 97 of A Second Chance At Forever

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Lennox

When I foundout Ashley had died, a part of me was relieved that she wouldn’t be able to ruin my life anymore. Then it sank in, she wouldn’t be able to ruin my life anymore. She was gone.

Ashley was mentally ill, she needed a doctor. She didn’t deserve to die. That made me feel like shit. How could I have been happy? Everything was my fault. If I had just been nice to her when she tried to apologize things could’ve ended so much differently.

Mason and I attended the funeral. The only other person there beside Mason and I, was her mother.

I knew Ashley wasn’t well liked, but I expected a few more people. I felt bad for her. Looking at her mother, I could tell she didn’t have an easy upbringing.

Her mother didn’t shed a tear throughout the funeral. I watched as Mason placed a white rose on top of her casket before they lowered her under the earth. A tear slid down my cheek.

Mason wasn’t ready to go home, I knew he blamed himself for what happened, but the truth was, we both had a part in it. I only wanted to unmask the truth, I didn’t know by doing so that she would lose her life.

That was something I would have to carry around with me the rest of my life. I didn’t know if I would ever get over it, but I knew I wouldn’t ever forgive myself.

I will always regret letting Mason get in the car that night, but I will never regret getting in that car with him. That was my decision and I was glad I was there for Mason after what happened.

We pulled up to the bar but didn’t move to get out. We both sat in the car and looked at what used to be Mason’s shop. It was nothing more than burnt wood and scorched concrete.

“You really should rebuild, you know.”

“I don’t know if I can,” Mason said opening his door and stepping out.

He walked around the truck and came to open mine where he took my hand in his. As soon as my feet were on the ground, he grabbed me up in a tight hug. “I love you so much, Lennox. I couldn’t have made it through today if you wasn’t by my side.” He pressed his soft lips to mine for a long kiss.

“I love you more than you will ever know.” I looked into those ice-blue eyes that seemed darker than usual.

Hand in hand we made our way inside the bar and took a seat at our table.

“Hey guys, how’d it go?” Wendy asked.

“It was tough.” Mason ran his hand through his hair causing it to stick up.

“Two beers and Jack. A lot of Jack,” I told Wendy.

Wendy walked away to get our drinks as Dane and Alissa sat down.

“I think I’m all moved.” Alissa smiled.

“Did you get your stuff from the apartment too?” I asked, a little sad that Alissa wouldn’t be crawling into bed with us whenever she got scared, or have another Cheetos shower mess to clean up after.

“Yep.” She looked to Dane with a big smile.

“I’m happy for you guys. Did you decide about California then?” I asked.

“I’m keeping my rent paid because I still have a lot of stuff in my apartment there. One day we’re going to have to go pack it up.” She kept her eyes locked on Dane’s.

“I will help you move a hundred times as long as you’re moving in with me,” Dane said, giving her a quick kiss.

“You guys are making me sick.” Mason leaned back in the booth.

“Shut the fuck up,” Dane said while Alissa stuck out her tongue.

Dane got up and ordered drinks for him and Alissa as Wendy was making her way back over.

“Here you go,” she placed two beers and four shots of Jack on the table.

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