Page 127 of Ward Willing
“Hey,” he says quickly, looking around. “What happened?”
I stand up, trying to swallow the guilt at having asked him to abandon his bar on opening night. “The harness,” I say glumly. “I got too overzealous, and I don’t know what the fuck I’m doing.”
“Hey,” Zoe says, looking at me cautiously. Turning to Orion, she gives him a genuine smile. “It was my fault. I was in a frenzy and pushing boundaries.”
Orion looks between us before glancing down at Zoe’s wrist. “Happens to the best of us.” Looking back at me, I notice his expression is softer. Gentler. “You shouldn’t blame yourself, okay? It’s really easy to have accidents in a scene.”
His words should placate me, but instead I feel worse. “I’m sorry you had to leave opening night.”
Orion holds a hand out. “I was more than ready to leave,” he says, his voice low. “Layla showed up.”
“Because I invited her,” Zoe interjects, quirking her lips to the side.
“Yes, well, the last thing I need is to see some guy hanging all over her.”
“Because you love her,” Zoe adds boldly.
Orion huffs a laugh. “Seen Miles lately? You’re worse than him when it comes to gossip.”
My lips twitch. “I asked her the same thing a few weeks ago.”
Zoe grins. “Well, I’m fine, so you can get back to your night,” she tells Orion. “Thanks for indulging your brother’s overprotective side.”
Chuckling, Orion looks at me. “Hey, you know you can always call me if you need anything, right? You don’t always have to play the older, stoic big brother. You’re family. You’re more important than any bar or party.” My throat aches, and it’s suddenly too bright. Before I can react, Orion pulls me into a hug. “Stop blaming yourself. Be thankful you’re not here for a lost butt plug.”
I bark a laugh as I pull away. “Have experience with that, little brother?”
Orion shrugs. “Let’s just say, I do not recommend buying cheap toys on the internet.”
I’m still smiling as he walks away, and when I turn to face Zoe, she’s watching me with a small, shy smile.
Maybe it’ll be okay. Maybe it’s just a sprain, and we can go home where I can take care of her. Maybe I won’t hate myself forever, and we can actually move forward with whatever this is between us.
One of my hands comes to her cheek, and I let all of my feelings show on my face—every single thought, every hope for our future. Her good hand comes to rest on top of mine.
“Liam, I just wanted to say?—”
“Zoe Arma?”
The receptionist calls Zoe’s name, and we both turn to face the desk.
“Do you want me to come with you?” I ask her, handing her the folder in case she needs it.
Shaking her head, she smiles as she takes it from me. “I think I’ll be okay by myself. I’ll meet you here when I’m done, okay?”
I nod, still in a daze, and she stands on her tip toes and gives me a quick kiss before walking over to the nurse who is waiting to take her back. I watch her go, smirking when she gives me a small wave before walking through a door. Sighing, I run a hand over my face. I’m about to go find a seat again when a white envelope sitting on the floor catches my eye.
I don’t breathe as I bend to pick it up, and when I turn it over, the heavy stone inside of me plunges farther down, sinking and burrowing into my guilty conscience like a boulder.
It’s Elias’s letter—the same one that accompanied his trust and will.
The same one I’ve been too much of a coward to open.
I’d found it a few years ago and thoughtlessly stuck it in her folder without a second thought. And now, as I turn the white envelope over in my hands, I make a decision I was too scared to make years ago.
Taking a seat near the back wall, I quickly tear the letter open. Another two envelopes fall out—one for Zoe and one for Carolina. I set them aside, and before I can digest my best friend’s words, the familiar, sloppy handwriting makes my chest cave in on itself. Taking three deep breaths to quell the emotions clawing viciously up my chest, I glance down at the letter and begin reading.
Liam,
