Page 121 of Sweet Caroline
Images of her flash in my head.
Caroline stepping in front of me, shielding me from the drink in Pete’s hand. Caroline’s fierce, worried eyes when she insisted we leave. Caroline dragging me the fuck out of there.
Yeah, well, she’s not here to save me now.
The bottle shakes slightly in my grasp as I pour a measure into the glass, not bothering to cap the bottle when I set it down.
This is poison. For me, it’s poison.
I gently swirl the clear liquid, my vision losing focus.
Pour it out. Call Barry. Gus. Jude. Anyone. It’s not too late.
“Miles.”
Caroline’s tearful voice behind me.
Her sad eyes when I’d turned around.
“I love you.”
Then, through tears, I watch myself cave.
25
CAROLINE
When I answer the phone, there’s only jagged breathing on the other end of the line. Anxiety tingles in a cascade from my scalp to my toes.
Something’s wrong.
“Miles?” I ask softly, slowly pushing up from my bed. “Miles? Are you there?”
“Hey,” he finally bites out, his voice thick and rough. “Yeah, I’m here.”
“Are you alright? Where are you?”
“At home.” He sniffs, letting my first question hang, though I already know the answer. “I know I wasn’t supposed to call you.”
“It’s okay,” I say, my throat already knotted with worry.
It’s not okay.He’snot okay.
“I’m sorry.” There’s a rustling sound, then a whoosh of air. “Just needed to hear your voice.”
I pad over to my bedroom door and close it gently, knowing Grandpa might still be up. “Need me to come over?”
“No,” he says quickly, then swallows. “Just… just stay on the phone with me, okay?”
My brow pinches. “Of course.”
“I just need you. To hear you.” A long silence follows before he speaks again. “Tell me something true.”
I love you. I miss you. I’ve been in pieces for weeks. I can’t sleep without your arms wrapped around me.
“Like what?”
“Anything. Something small. Something boring. Just talk to me, so I don’t… just talk.”
