Page 100 of The Best I Never Had

“I’ll fix this,” he says, strong but frantic in his conviction. “I promise you, I’ll make this right.”

I nod, because what else can I do. Whatever happens, I won’t be around to see it.

“Thea, please say you believe me.”

“Of course.” My voice is scratchy, like I’ve gone days without speaking.

“I’m going to let my mom sleep on it. She’ll be easier to manage in the morning, but I’ll head there first thing. It’ll work out.”

“Okay.” My voice is as dead as my relationship with Addy.

“Can I stay with you? I don’t want you to be alone.”

“Vaughn’s here,” I say, my voice and body stiff as an oak tree.

Owen nods. “Can I kiss you goodnight?”

I close the gap instead, gifting myself one last kiss. It’s a bizarre experience, touching someone you care about so deeply, knowing it’s the last time. I let myself savor it all. The softness of his lips. The way his breath hitches at the slide of my tongue. The fresh taste of him and that deep sugary smell that will follow me until my last breath.

Owen breaks the kiss first, tilting his head so our foreheads rest together. “Go get some sleep. Everyone will be in a better headspace tomorrow.”

He smiles and kisses my forehead before heading down the hallway. It isn’t until he’s out of sight that I can force myself to leave, too. When I enter the room, my things are neatly packed away.

“I’m coming with you,” Vaughn says.

I smile, but it dissolves into tears that have Vaughn rushing over to hold me. My world is falling apart. I have no job, no sister, no significant other. But I have Vaughn, and that’s worth more than I can say.

“I’m asking a lot,” I say, wiping my face with a tissue before grabbing my purse and suitcase. “But I need you to stay. Please. To bring my car home when it’s fixed and to smooth everything over.”

“How the hell am I supposed to do that?”

“You have more charm than Jonathan Bailey. You’ll figure it out. If I stay, it’ll just cause more issues. Please make sure the wedding happens tomorrow.”

He looks like he wants to argue, but nods. I believe him. He’ll do it.

But I won’t be here to see it.

Chapter 31

OWEN

I didn’t sleep. All night I paced my room, wondering if I should go check on Thea. She looked so broken last night, and I hate the idea of her working through this alone.

The moment the sun breaks over the horizon, I head to my mom’s room. I need to calm her down, to appease her for the wedding. The thought of her getting away with how she acted last night grates, but I know it’s what Thea wants. And there’s nothing I wouldn’t do to see Thea’s brilliant smile again. I can hash everything out with Mom after.

Mom’s door swings open mere seconds after I knock, like she’s been up and waiting for me to come by.

“I assume you’re here to apologize?” she asks.

I swallow my pride. “Yes. I’m sorry for lying to you, then and now. I shouldn’t have done it.”

Shockingly, she reaches out and pats my cheek. I was primed for hours of groveling. “It’s not your fault. I’m just glad that toxic relationship is out of your life.”

I smile in relief—everything’s going to be fine—until my brain fully processes her words. “Wait, what do you mean?”

I follow her into her room as she walks to the desk, waving around a few pieces of paper. “Thea dropped this off.”

I snatch the papers out of her hand so quickly she’s lucky she doesn’t get a paper cut. The letter is long, and my mind struggles to focus on the words with the blood pulsing in my veins, but I catch the most important ones.