Page 26 of Wasted

So first, I want to start with I'm sorry.

I'm sorry for all the pain I've caused to you, to Taylor, to Kylie. It took me a long time to realize what I truly did to Taylor and you. By the time I realized it, the damage was done. Now, I'm gone, and she's left to pick up the pieces of the mess I caused. It never occurred to me that she would be left behind to carry the burden.

See, Taylor came over to see you, but you weren't there, and she was devastated. I took advantage of her in a vulnerable moment, and I will regret that far beyond my life.

She found out her dad was sick and he was going to need her. She wasn't going to be able to go to Nashville with you. Her father's last wish was to be buried next to his wife on their land, but they were going to lose the land.

I found out two days before that I was terminally ill and had a year, maybe less, to live, and every decision I made after that was selfish. I thought I was protecting Kylie and you. I didn't want to hold her back, and I didn't want you to stay in Bridgewater because I was sick. I needed you both to hate me so much that you left this town and never thought of me again. So much that you didn't mourn me when I was gone, but instead, I made you hate Taylor, who is the most selfless person I have ever met.

She gave up the only person she ever loved for his chance at happiness and her freedom to care for two terminally ill people.

I'm the one who told Taylor that she would ruin your life and your dreams if she told you she couldn't leave. I'm the one who put the idea in her head to marry me instead. I saw it as a win-win, but it definitely wasn't.

The one who truly lost was Taylor, and she didn't deserve it.

Taylor will never tell you the truth unless you make her because she's just not that kind of person. Make her tell you the truth, Cole.

I love you. You will always be my baby brother, my best friend, and I hope you can forgive me, but even more, I hope you can forgive Taylor.

Your Brother, Caleb.

I dropped the letter on the floor as a hot tear streamed down my face. I didn't find out my brother was sick until a few months after I left, and I was so angry that I never responded.

My chest tightened. He'd been sick the whole time. I ran my hand down my face, wrapping my hand around my jaw as I stared up at the ceiling. I couldn't even process how I felt: angry, hurt, betrayed. This all made so much sense now. I needed to talk to Taylor. I needed to hear her truth. Jerking the letter off the floor, I pushed myself up, and stormed toward her room.

Chapter Fifteen

Taylor

Standing at the foot of my bed, I laid the folded shirt inside my suitcase, staring aimlessly at the wall, lost in my own thoughts. I was so ready to go home. I'd tried to tell Cole the truth, and he didn't want to know. I had to accept the fact that he was always going to hate me and move on with my life. I just hoped he would at least read his brother's letter one day.

I flinched when something pounded against the door hard and fast, startling me out of my thoughts. The pounding didn't stop.

I knew who it was. I didn't know why, but I knew it was Cole.

I stormed forward, jerking the door open. My words died on my lips as I saw Cole's thunderous expression.

Cole's eyes blazed as he thrust the white sheet of paper in my face. "Is this true?"

I pinched the bridge of my nose, exhaling slowly. "You're going to have to be a little more specific, Cole. Is what true?"

"This letter?" He pushed past me, his shoulder bumping me out of the way.

I clicked the door closed and twisted around, rolling my eyes. "Sure, Cole, why don't you come in... What letter?" Exasperation crept into my voice.

Cole's eyes narrowed, his voice dropping to a low growl. "Let's not play stupid. The letter from Caleb."

My face dropped. "You read it?" I couldn't hide the surprise on my face or tone. I honestly didn't think he would ever read it.

He made a sound of irritation deep in his throat. "Is it true, Taylor?"

Sighing, I raised my shoulders. "I don't know, Cole. I don't know what it says." I didn't know what that letter said, but I knew Caleb had no reason to lie.

"I want to know the truth." He growled, dropping heavily into the chair in the corner of the room. "Now."

I huffed out a laugh. "Cole, I've been trying to tell you the truth."

"I'm listening now." There was a slight edge to his voice that I wasn't sure I'd ever heard before.

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