Page 69 of Don't Regret Me
Nick left without a word. Her chest caved in, a similar pain she’d experienced all those months ago when he didn’t know her face.
Except, this time was different. He knew her now, and still, he chose to go.
That was the thing about falling in love. Eventually, you had to reach the bottom. Eventually, you had to crash.
33
NICK
Pain echoed through Nick, both current and past tendrils of regrets. He had to get back to the hospital soon, not as a patient, but because the woman he loved was still there. A woman he wouldn’t give up on this time. Just like she’d never given up on him.
But he’d had to see it.
Smoke still drifted from the charred ruins of the house Nick bought in what seemed like another life. One where the injuries of the past were mostly healed. He’d gotten away from neglectful parents with his brother, and both of them had created great careers for themselves. Those boys had their entire lives ahead of them.
He closed his eyes, picturing that day. They were so young, so naïve. Two kids who thought they’d always at least have each other.
“We still do.”
Nick jumped at the sound of Stephen’s voice. He glanced back at the waiting Uber driver, but the man paid him no mind. “You’re gone, Stephen.”
“Don’t I know it.” He sighed. Did figments of a person’s imagination sigh? Or ghosts or whatever he was. “But I’m not gone gone.”
“That makes no sense.”
He followed Nick’s gaze to what used to be their lake house. “It was just walls, baby bro. Just wood and glass and metal and?—”
“You don’t need to list everything out.”
“Apparently, I do, because what you don’t seem to get is that house wasn’t me. It wasn’t us. And it sure as heck wasn’t you and Lizzy.”
“Don’t call her that.” It was too intimate, too her. And he wasn’t sure he deserved whatever she was.
“An angel. She’s a god-sent angel, put on Earth to make my little bro realize he’s still alive.”
“It’s not that simple.”
Stephen crossed his arms, a familiar stance from him. He’d always been stubborn, but not in a rude kind of way. It was more of an I-want-what’s-best-for-you way. Because he always knew what that was. “It’s only complicated because you make it so. She loves you. Despite your refusal to let her, despite your anger and the fact that you basically called her a liar, that woman loves you. It’s time to escape the shallow end you’ve been living in. Let your angel in.”
“Cheesy.” Nick couldn’t help smiling.
“But I’m right. You know I am.”
He scanned the ashes, the charred wood, and broken glass. Maybe Stephen was right. Pain seared through his side, and he gripped the bandage. Maybe leaving the hospital was a really bad idea.
Stumbling back, he searched for his brother, finding himself alone once more, save the running car behind him. He managed to get to the Uber before his legs gave out, and he collapsed into a seat. “To the hospital, please.”
The man stared at him. “You’re supposed to order it through the app.”
“I’ll pay you triple. Please just take me.”
They locked eyes in a battle of wills, and as Nick’s consciousness slipped, the last thing he heard was a string of curses that made him smile.
The next time he opened his eyes, bright lights flew by him on the ceiling. Or he fled by the bright lights. He wasn’t aware enough to know. It felt like he was moving, but he was on his back. Someone looked down into his face. “Good, he’s awake.”
“Where are we going?” he managed to get out.
“The burn unit.” He recognized the voice of Nurse Haes. “Some guy dropped you at the ER. You’re lucky you didn’t hurt yourself worse, Mr. Jacobs.”
