Page 27 of Second Goal

I breathe in deeply, closing my eyes and letting the sunlight warm my face. Giggles and laughter float around me. Happiness that seems untouchable, when just a few minutes before it had been mine. But now it’s gone again, replaced by the weight of my failures.

Lucy,my heart groans.God, I’m so sorry.

When I open my eyes, the girl is only a few feet from me, running and laughing as an older boy chases her. Myheart beats wildly at the similarities between her and Lucy.

The boy keeps chasing her, and she trips. Holding her knee to her chest as big tears start running down her cheeks.

I don’t think. I just run to her, pulling her into my arms. “You’re okay.” I rock her back and forth. “You’re okay.”

Those big blue eyes look up at me, blinking away tears. Blue, not green. It’s not her.

It’s not her.My brain already knew the truth, but my heart needed the confirmation. Of course it isn’t her.

The child’s mother is next to me, and when she reaches for the girl, I let her take her from me.

“Mama,” the girl cries out, wrapping her arms around the woman’s neck.

“Thank you,” the woman says to me, even though she’s frowning as she turns to walk away, glancing over her shoulder at me like I’m some kind of lunatic.

And I realize why. My own face is wet with tears, and I have to hold back the sob that threatens to escape my chest.

“Kiley.” Blake crouches down beside me and his arms wrap around me, lifting me to my feet.

“Where’s Noah?” I ask, panic clawing at my chest.

“In the stroller.”

I glance over and see Noah munching on Cheerios, oblivious to what just happened. But Blake isn’t. I see the questions in his eyes, the concern that tugs at his brows.

“I’m not... not feeling well. I need... need to go.” I stutter over the words.

“Okay.” He keeps an arm around me, steadying me.

I look around for the woman, for Skylar. But they’re gone.

And I feel it again - the heaviness of the universe crashing down on me. When I close my eyes, I see that field burning in front of me. A fire I set. One that I can’t run away from anymore.

Chapter Seven

Blake

“Brynne’s pregnant.”A smile stretches across Kane’s face when he opens the door and announces the news.

“Oh my God,” Brynne groans behind him. “You can’t start telling everyone already.” She gives him an irritated look, but I can see the happiness shining in her eyes, the way her own lips curve up slightly.

But as much as I want to share in their joy, my only thoughts are of Kiley. She pushes the stroller into the apartment, and I see the forced smile she gives Brynne, but her eyes are haunted, face still void of color.

I don’t know what the hell happened at the park, but whatever it was, it obviously shook her to the core. Brynne must see it too, because she glances over at me and raises her brows in question.

“Sorry for coming back so soon,” Kiley says, although her words come out in a whisper. “I’m not feeling well.”

Kane frowns and asks gruffly, “What’s wrong with you?”

Kiley doesn’t even look at him, but I see her flinch. And I want to hit him for always being so callous with her.

“Come in,” Brynne says. “I’ll make you some tea and soup—”

“The last thing you need right now is to catch what she has,” Kane says, taking Noah out of the stroller.

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