Page 105 of Forgot to Tell You Something

“They found him this morning. They think he suffered a massive heart attack and died instantly. I’m so sorry, Lu.”

My Dad, my champion, is gone. The man who gave me piggyback rides and told stories of caves with dragons and knights, is no more. I fall back against the wall, hugging myself as the dam of emotions threatens to break loose.

I pull off my glasses, wiping at my eyes to ebb the flow of tears. I rub my hand under my nose, and I’m sure anyone passing by will think I just lost my best friend.

They’d be right.

“What the hell’s going on? Tally, Darlin, what happened?” Owen’s hand grasps my shoulder.

I don’t care who sees. I need Owen now. I grab him around the waist, burying my head into his chest. There’s no hesitation on his part as he enfolds me in his embrace, his fingers stroking my hair.

“Her Dad died,” Stefani whispers. I know my friend is dealing with her own grief over my father’s death. She knew Mr. Knowles before the demon that is dementia seized his soul.

“Oh, Christ. I’m so sorry, Darlin. I’m here.”

That’s all it takes for the levy to break. My body shakes with sobs, but for the first time since the discovery of Charlotte, I feel safe.

Owen is the only place I feel this way. How is it that the same man who breaks your heart is the only one who can heal it?

The sobs subside after a few minutes, giving way to sniffles. Not once did Owen loosen his grip. He tips my chin up, thumbing away my tears as I force a smile.

“I got your coat wet,” I mumble, wiping at my leaky nose and eyes.

“It’s fine. It’s more than fine. Let’s get you out of here, okay? I’ll tell everyone that I’m taking you home. Stef, will you get Tally’s things for me?” Just like that, Owen takes charge.

He disappears into the conference room, and I make a beeline for the bathroom. There are a ton more tears to cry, but I don’t want to field questions from everyone as I walk out of the hospital.Just like my nickname, only a select few are privy to my grief. Owen is one of them.

“Lu, are you in here?” Stefani asks.

“Yeah. Come on in.” I unlock the door, and my friend grabs me into another hug.

“I’ll be over right after my shift. I’ve put some calls out to get someone from night shift to come in a few hours early—”

“It’s okay. Really. Owen will take care of me.”

“See? I told you, he’s crazy about you.”

I nod, but I’m not entirely certain. He’s not an ogre, I’ll give him that. When I needed him, he was there. Just like he said he would be.

Too bad that doesn’t excuse the other situations, but I can’t focus on those right now. I need to focus on breathing.

“Owen asked if you could give him a few minutes. He’s talking to some woman.”

It’s an innocent statement. The woman could be anyone. But Charlotte is supposed to be present during the meeting today, and intrinsically, I know it’s her. “Where are they?”

“I think they went to his office.”

I nod, a flash of anger overtaking the sorrow. “Tall, thin, gorgeous?”

“I wasn’t really paying attention…yeah,” Stefani admits when I shoot her a scathing glare.

“That would be Charlotte.”

“What the hell is she doing at the hospital?”

“She and Owen are working together. Her family is financing the training center. Beyond that, I don’t know what’s going on with them. Doesn’t matter.” I ball up the towel, tossing it in the bin. “You have my things?”

Stefani nods, handing me my purse.

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