Page 72 of Mine Forever
After my mother died from complications of the flu, the doctors said it was a rare situation with her lungs, and the pneumonia was just too much for her.
That didn’t deter my father from telling me it was my fault since she’d gotten the virus from me.
And the man had a field day when the media dug up the past and paid him a visit.
No problem taking money from the vultures to go on record and call his son a selfish bastard who only thought of himself. And two women were dead because of it.
Until the day he died a couple of years ago, my father called me a killer.
Never mind that I’d lost my mom and my wife.
After my mom died, I worked my ass off with my grades and playing baseball to get a scholarship to anywhere that would take me away from the hell my home life had become.
But in college, I let loose. Partied a little too hard on a couple of occasions.
Then my coach sat me down and chewed my ass out. Made me realize I was about to lose my scholarship and my place on the team.
That would mean going back home.
And that wasn’t happening.
That same day, I’d met Eden.
As soon as I met her, I knew she’d change my life.
And she did, for better or worse.
I still celebrated victories with the guys, but they were much tamer versions because I always brought my girl with me. We’d been inseparable.
Until I’d done what I always do and fucked it up.
She needed me when her mother had fallen ill after we’d graduated.
I tried to convince her to come with me, but she said regardless of how shitty her mom could be, she was still her mom.
And what had I done?
I wish I could say I’d understood, but the pain of losing my own mom was still too fresh I guess.
Nope, that’s not what I did.
I’d thought of only myself first, just like my father always said I did, and went to Los Angeles without her.
But the truth is, all I’ve ever wanted is to be wherever Eden was.
I’d close my eyes and imagine I was somewhere with her.
The beach, her tiny off-campus apartment, baseball games, driving around singing to the radio.
And yet I’d walked away. It hadn’t mattered that she’d agreed and said I should go. She’d wanted me to have that shot.
It was selfless of her. Just like what she’s trying to do now with her business.
And here I am—the bastard still too selfish to help her.
All because I’d married a woman I never should have—but it would be great PR for me, so I did.
And not only had someone gotten hurt, but someone died.
