Page 35 of Second Shot

“Sorry?” She hits my chest, tears streaming down her cheeks. “You think getting high is some sort of game? You killed him. It should be you laying there, nothim.”

One of the paramedics looks over at me with raisedbrows.

“Stop it.” I grab her arm and force her to look at me. “Do I look fuckinghigh?”

She glares at me, and I know that no matter what I say, she’ll see what she wants. Anything to take the blame off Sam for being a fuckingcoward.

He could put on a good face, especially for Brynne. When she was around, it was probably the only time I saw himsober.

I’d warned him repeatedly not to keep messing with this shit. Even told Coach about it. Begged them both to get him somehelp.

When he didn’t, I pulledaway.

Yeah, I was a shitty fucking friend. But I couldn’t watch as he destroyedhimself.

Maybe if I’d been around more. If I’d pushed him into rehab. Maybe I wouldn’t be standing here watching as the emergency crew carry his lifeless body out thedoor.

Eyes red, face swollen, Brynne glares at me with all the hatred I feel for myself. I know what she’s doing, using anger as a shield to protect herself from the grief that could drown her if she letit.

I could defend myself. Scream back. Tell her I’d hadn’t been part of the crazy shit Sam was always involved in. That it was him, not me, that bought the cocaine the night she’d seen us. That I’d never touched the stuff –ever.

But Idon’t.

Because I know whatever I say, she’ll never believeme.

Sheneedsto make me the villain, because in her eyes Sam could never do anything wrong. Not even when he was higher than a kite, and pawning her things for drugmoney.

If I didn’t give a shit about her, maybe I’d fight her on it. Make her see that I’m not the bastard she thinks Iam.

But the warped thing about this whole mess is I do care. Too damnmuch.

Chapter 10

Present

Brynne

This is a badidea.

Those words roll through my head as I ride the elevator up to Kane’spenthouse.

The last time I’d come here, I’d been drunk on cheap wine, and allowed my body to rule my actions. Now I’m going back, and all I can think about is his offer.Move in withme.

“Bad idea,” I mutter, glancing down at Noah, who’s fast asleep in thestroller.

I want to hold on to the hate that used to protect my heart, but when I look at Noah, it’s hard to remember anything but that night. Not just his touch, but the way his eyes seared my soul. The way he made me feel like he was a part of me. That he was my future, and not a demon from mypast.

I hatedhim.

I lovedhim.

Stupid emotions that warred constantly against eachother.

My stomach twists and my palms sweat as I get off the elevator and stand in front of hisdoor.

It’s not just me I have to think aboutanymore.

Kane was right. Noah deserves a father. And if he’s really serious about being part of Noah’s life, then I have to give him the opportunity. One chance. I’ll give himthat.

---