Page 143 of Just One Kiss

“She was in bad shape, Josh. He really hurt her this time.”

Anger rose like a fire in his belly, and it took everything inside him not to rush out and find his father—put an end to him once and for all.

“My dad was getting an arrest warrant when I left.”

Josh’s breathing turned quick and labored at the thought of his father finally—finally—paying for his sins, sins Josh and his mom had been paying for all these years. Sins that had led to Dylan’s death.

He struggled for oxygen, and his stomach turned hollow. “Are you sure?” His eyes clouded and he gripped the door to keep from collapsing.

“I’m sure.” She reached for him, but he moved away. Her touch on his skin would send his mind reeling. He couldn’t get used to it again, the way it felt to hold her, to have a right to her.

And yet, it was the thing he wanted most of all.

He turned toward the living room, aware that she followed, the memory of his lips on hers still so fresh in his mind.

“I hate him, Carly. I hate them both.”

She didn’t respond.

He sank onto the couch. “There’s a lot you don’t know—”

She sat on the other end of the couch. “Your mom told me,” she said quietly.

His eyes darted to hers. “She did?”

Carly nodded.

“About Dylan?”

Her eyes fell. She knew. She knew the truth—all of it—a truth he’d only just learned himself. He was no longer alone in carrying it. But what did she think of him—of his family—now?

Josh buried his face in his hands and let the sobs come. He’d refused them for years, but they were too strong now.

Seconds later, she was at his side, her hands on him, comforting and kind.

“I left you,” he said. “I’m so sorry I left you.”

“I think I understand now,” she said.

He looked at her. “You do?”

She turned into him. “Dylan’s death wasn’t your fault, Josh.”

The words hung in the air, their gravity pulling them to the ground, unheard.

She took his face in her hands. “Did you hear what I said?”

He closed his eyes.

“Do you believe me?”

He clung to her, pulling her closer. “I want to.” But how did he forget what he’d always believed to be true?

He opened his eyes and found concern on her face. “That night—with Jaden. Carly, I was so angry. I was beside myself. I couldn’t call you, and I—” He nearly choked on the words. “I wanted to shake him, to do anything to make him stop screaming.”

She swallowed, her gaze intent on him.

“I had no idea something was actually wrong with him, but when the doctor said it was serious—” He broke, willing away the feelings of guilt and powerlessness. “All I could think of was Dylan. How it was my fault he was gone. I can still imagine his face, holding his body after he collapsed on the ground.”

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