Page 87 of Knot Your Forever

“Holy hell,” I breathed out, realizing that Everett and I were more alike than I ever realized. This place did have some sort of magic. It called to both of us even though it was a year or more apart.

“Once you get this far, talk to Dad, Lake. He’ll tell you everything. There’s no code this time, just a surprise,” Everett said as he took one last look around and then gave the camera a sad smile.

Tears filled his turquoise eyes, and his voice was choked with pain.

“Is it silly that I’m so sad that this little adventure of ours is ending? I know that I won’t live long enough to see your reactions and to see you grow into a pack like you deserve. I will never get to see this place look like it should, but I hope with everything in me thatyouwill.”

There was no hiding mine or Lake’s tears as the video ended, and a glance at the other guys showed that even their eyes were a little bit glassy.

“What did you do, Everett?” I asked, looking up at the now-cloudy sky overhead.

“There’s only one way to find out,” Lake said. His voice was rough and determined as he pulled out his phone.

A few moments later, Chad’s voice filled the air.

“Hello, son. How are you guys holding up?”

“We just finished the campground video, Dad.”

Chad took in a shaky breath. “We should talk.”

“We’re going to pack up camp. We stayed here overnight. We’ll meet you at your house.”

“I’ll tell your mother. You know she’ll want to get some dinner on. Come hungry. And Lake, I know you, don’t you dare freak out over this. Take a breath. It’s all going to be okay.”

Chad hung up before Lake could protest or ask more questions. Lake let out a growl and dropped his phone to the leaves at his feet.

He was up in seconds, stomping off toward the woods.

I was moving just as quickly, hurrying after him, not letting him face this alone. I was grateful when I saw Drew follow us. We could use the calm that he exuded.

“Hey, stop running from me,” I demanded as Lake started to disappear into the trees.

“I never called you out when you did,” he growled, shoving a branch aside before hissing as it cut into his skin. It had him pausing long enough for me to grab onto his arm, turning it over to see the damage.

Blood was already pouring out of the cut and I shrugged out of my jacket so I could hold pressure on it and glared up at him.

“That wasn’t fair. You didn’t let me run, and youdidcall me on it.”

He cursed under his breath before taking a deep inhalation and holding it, then letting it out.

“Another,” Drew demanded. Lake glared but did as he was told for once.

“I’m sorry, baby. I’m so sorry,” Lake muttered as he turned his gaze toward me. The pain in their depths was heartbreaking.

“I get it, I do, but he said don’t freak out. Why are you freaking out?”

“Because I knew this wasn’t it. I knew it wasn’t as simple as a game because Everett always had to go big. Even now, he’s taking care of me, and you know what I did? I failed him. I couldn’t fucking save him.”

“Of course, you couldn’t,” I said, my hand going to his cheeks. “Nobody could have. Even the doctors couldn’t. Don’t you dare blame yourself. That’s not your guilt to bear.”

“You did take care of him,” Drew said, his voice gentle but strong. “You took suppressors for years because you knew he needed that time, and you willingly sacrificed your own feelings to give it to him. Taking care of someone else doesn’t look the same, ever.”

“Yet he died,” Lake bit out.

“Don’t act like you didn’t go to every treatment that you could make. That you didn’t sit beside him when he was weak, making sure he didn’t suffer,” I added.

Lake let out a soft sob. “I did. I would have done anything to ease his suffering, even a little bit.”

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