Johnny exhales sharply, his hands trembling. “Dee, if there’s even a shred of love left in you, you have to fight. Because he won’t. He’s given up. Oneverything. And I know this is asking a lot, but weneedyou to come back. Weneedyou to remind him how to live. Without you, he hasn’t got long. And I’m scared. S-so fucking scared.” His voice cracks. “He’s my best friend, Dee. I’ve known him since we were kids. And you?Youare the only one who can save him from himself.”
I shake my head, my stomach twisting. “I can’t. I’m not strong enough.”
Johnny’s face hardens, his breath shaky. “Then let me be blunt.” He leans closer across the table, his voice dropping, laced with raw agony. “If you don’t, he’s going todie. Do you get that?He will bedead! And no Google Alert, no tab-keeping, no late-night scrolling will change that. You won’t be able to check in on him, Dee, because he won’t be h… here.” He chokes on the last word, and that’s when I see it, the tears slipping down his face.Johnny never cries.
Andfuck. Ifhe’sbreaking, then Colt really must be on the edge.
The realization slams into me, nausea clawing up my throat.
I think I’m gonna be sick.
I’ve never been so scared in my life.
I can’t lose Colt.
The world can’t lose him, either.
“Please, Dee! I’m b-begging you,” Johnny’s voice cracks, his hands gripping the table like it’s the only thing holding him together. He scrubs at his tears hastily, like wiping them away might erase the pain in his voice. Then, with a shaky breath, he reaches for Anna’s hand, clinging to it like a lifeline. “I don’t care how pathetic this makes me. I’ll get down on my damn knees if I have to. Just… don’t let him do this to himself.”
Joseph exhales, his jaw tightening as he looks at me. “Dee, you know I’m not his biggest fan. Hell, if I ever see him, the first thing I’ll do is punch his gorgeous face.” His eyes soften, but his voice stays firm. “But… you love him. Youneverstopped. And from everything I’m hearing, he’s a wreck without you.” He gives me that familiar, loving smile—the one that always makes me feel safe—and takes my hand.
“This decision? It’s yours. No one else’s. And if you stay, you can’t let guilt eat you alive. Because personally? I think the way he’s hurt you is unforgivable.” His grip tightens for a moment, steady, unwavering. “But if you go, I’ll back you. No hesitation. And if you need me there, I’ll be right beside you. Just… make this choice foryou, Dee. Not for him. Not for anyone else.You.”He presses a kiss to my hand, and dammit, my heart feels like it’s being torn in two.
I swipe away my tears and take in a deep breath.
There really is no option.
There is no choice to be made.
He hurt me.
He nearly killed me.
I was shattered—over and over again.
And yet, I’m still standing.
Still tempted.
Still breathing.
Stillhis.
When he didn’t call, something in me died.
And if that’s how Colt’s feeling right now, then I have no choice.
Ihaveto fight.
For him.
For me.
Forus.
Because if he leaves this earth, then I may as well, too.
I square my shoulders, my voice steady despite the war raging inside me.
