Page 37 of His Stubborn Girl

“Hello?” My voice is so shaky. And so are my hands. I haven’t talked to them since that night. They haven’t reached out. But why would they? They told me I was cut off from the family. Never welcome again.

“Lukas, it’s your father.”

My heart drops into the pit of my stomach.

“What’s happened?” Please tell me he’s okay. I already lost the love of my life; I can’t lose my dad too.

“He had a heart attack and is in the hospital. They say he’s going to be okay, but he’s in intensive care.” She breaks off in a sob. “I’m so worried. They still have him sedated, and I haven’t been allowed to see him. Please. Can you come?”

“I’m on my way.”

She tells me what hospital he’s in as I grab my things and my keys. And for the six-hour drive back home, my entire life flashes before my eyes. My dad was always there for me. I never doubted that he loved me. He was the best father a kid could have. He was the best dad to Torrin too. And I destroyed everything. I did this to him. The stress of what I did brought this on. I’m a bastard. And I need to repent for my sins.

28

Torrin

“Torrin!” Sophie rushes into the room, looking panicked. I shoot up in bed, yanked from my fog. “Your mom’s been trying to reach you.” Yeah, I know she has. She’s been calling and texting for weeks, but I don’t want to talk to her. She wants our family to go back to the way it was, but I can’t give her that. “Your stepdad had a heart attack and he’s in the hospital.”

What? I scramble off the bed searching for my phone.

“Is he okay? What did she say?”

“He’s going to be okay but they’re keeping him in ICU for now. She sent you a text with the address of the hospital.”

“Does Lukas know?” I wonder if she picked up the phone to tell him about his dad.

“Lukas is on his way there now.”

I bet he’s terrified. His father is, or I should say was, his rock. They were so close. Just like me and my mom. I wish he had called me. I could’ve driven with him. But he doesn’t want to see me.

“I need to find my phone, and clothes, and what else do I need, Sophie?”

I’m so upset I can’t think.

“Why don’t you go in and take a quick shower, and I’ll get everything ready for you?”

I nod, turning and walking into the bathroom. It’s been a few days, and I need to clear my thoughts before I get on the road.

* * *

He’s standingoutside the door, looking terrified to go in. Looking broken. I rush to him.

“Luke!” He looks up and his eyes are swollen and red. He’s been crying. And my heart breaks for him. “He’s going to be okay. The doctor said he’s going to be fine.”

He shakes his head, clinging to me. “I did this to him, Torre. If it weren’t for what I did, he wouldn’t have had a heart attack. I’m such a bastard.”

“No, you aren’t, Luke.” My mother’s voice has us turning. “The doctors have been warning him for years that if he didn’t change his diet, he was going to find himself in cardiac arrest. He didn’t listen to the warning. This wasn’t your fault.”

He shakes his head. “But the stress over what I did brought it on faster.”

“No, Luke.” I grab his cheek, turning him to look at me. “You didn’t do anything. We fell in love. We didn’t mean for it to happen. You’re not some evil person. Please stop blaming yourself.”

The tears fill his eyes. “Sophie said you won’t get out of bed, babe. She said you’ve been crying your eyes out for weeks. All I wanted was to come and comfort you and tell you it was going to be okay, but I don’t even know if that’s true. I couldn’t handle lying to you when I don’t even believe it myself. Nothing feels like it’s going to be okay. And I couldn’t bear to watch you break again when I had to leave. I’m so sorry, baby. I’m so sorry for hurting you.”

The pain loosens its grip as his words settle in. I thought he was moving on. I thought he wanted this. But I don’t think he does.

“I don’t blame you, Luke. You’ve got the weight of the world pushing against you. I’m sorry that everyone is blaming you.”

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