Page 120 of Damaged Prince
“Okay,” I whisper, hanging up the phone. “Owen.” I tap his face. “Owen, baby, wake up.”
Tears spill down my cheeks as my heart breaks for the man in front of me.
“I’m sorry,” my voice cracks. “I’m sorry for not being there for you. Please don’t do this. You're scaring me, Owen. Please, baby, wake up. Show me your deep blue eyes. Let me drown in them again.”
I’m beating myself up on the inside, hating myself for not pushing him to talk to me. I should have been there for him like I was for his brother. He deserved better from me. I let my pride being hurt get in the way.
“We’re gonna get you help,” I whisper, brushing some of his blond strands from his forehead. “I can’t watch you destroy yourself, Owen. It would kill me.”
“Laney?” Logan’s voice sounds from outside. Stumbling to my feet, I rush to the door and throw it open.
“In here,” I call out.
Logan, Eli, and Justin all come rushing in.
“Fuck.” Logan crouches down in front of Owen. “Wake up, man.” Logan taps his face. “Open your fucking eyes,” he hisses.
Nothing.
“He fucking reeks of beer.” Logan sighs.
“He’s been drinking all night,” I whisper, watching from the door, staying out of their way. I’m shaking, a fucking mess, not knowing what to do or how to help.
“Do we take him home or to the hospital?” Eli asks, worried for his brother as well.
Logan lifts Owen’s eyelids and curses again. “Fucking bloodshot. He’s on something more than just alcohol.” Logan looks back at Eli. “We have to take him to the ER. We don’t know what he’s on or how his body is going to react.”
Placing my hand over my mouth, I try to hold back the sob that threatens to slip free. With each passing second, I hate myself even more.
While I was off living my happy little life, Owen was suffering. He was hurting. He was in pain. And no one was there for him.
Okay, that's a lie. A lot of people tried to be there for him, but he wouldn’t let them. But still, we should have tried harder.
“Justin, help me get him to the car. E, call Dad, tell him to meet us there.” Logan seems so calm on the outside, handling his brother like a big brother does. But I can see the fear in his eyes, the worry for him. It’s been killing Logan knowing his brother has been going through something and not being able to help him. Owen has been there for Logan through all of his hardships, and Logan just wanted to do the same for his brother.
“I’m coming too,” I tell him.
“Laney, baby, stay here with Winter. Call Kai to pick you up. You don’t need to see him like this. And I know he wouldn’t want you to,” Logan says.
“But...” I look down at Owe,n whose head is leaning against Logan’s shoulder. He looks so pale and lifeless. If I didn’t feel his pulse for myself, I’d think he was dead.
Justin and Logan work together to carry Owen, his body unable to help them, forcing them to take the brunt of his weight.
I step out of the house to give them room. Watching them carry Owen away like that, I feel like I’m dying inside.
“He’s gonna be okay.” Winter appears at my side. I jump, blurry eyes flicking her way. Then I throw myself at her, burying my face into her neck and breaking down.
Regret consumes me for what I said earlier. I don’t hate him. I wish I never said that. I was hurt, angry. I take it back. I don’t mean it. I care about him. So much that it hurts.
Please, universe, if you're listening, let him be okay.
Chapter 25
Delaney
I didn’t get any sleep. How could I sleep when all I could do was worry about Owen?
Logan and Eli stayed at the hospital with him until their dad got there. I texted them like crazy, demanding updates.
