“Tommy, did you hear what I said?” Fresh tears form in Mrs C’s eyes. “Scott didn’t make it, Tommy. They couldn’t save him.”
I glance back to where Calla sobs while my brain tries to digest the situation.
“Scott was with Ash?”
She nods, biting her bottom lip.
“He’s dead?”
She nods again, frantically this time.
I realise something as I glance over at Calla. She isn’t crying for her husband and it isn’t Angie holding Calla together. It’s the other way around. Jesus Christ, I have absolutely no fucking clue what to do here.
Bile rises to my throat while guilt fills my gut. I was so relieved to find out Ash and his family were okay that I didn't think to ask if anyone else was involved.
“Are you all right, love?” Mrs C asks, but I don't know what to do. I hug her for a second while I try to digest this news and take in Angie’s vacant stares. What the hell is going through her mind? What can I do to take away her pain? Would she even want me to? Her grief is raw and any show of sympathy could be a wrong move on my part.
“Tommy?” Mrs C is still waiting for her answer.
I look down. “Sorry. Yeah, I’m okay.” I’m not. I feel sick to my stomach. “What happened? Does anyone know?”
She nods, and her voice lowers in volume. “Scott wastaking the family to the airport later today, so the boys decided they could fit in a run at five a.m. before they left. Ash said it was pitch black when a car came around the corner with no warning and full headlights. He knocked Ash clear, but when the car launched into the ditch, Scott was underneath.” Mrs C weeps. “He didn’t stand a chance.”
“Fuck.” My hands swipe through my hair. “Did they catch the driver?”
She shakes her head. “They didn’t need to. He was already dead at the scene.”
My head drops. “Jesus fucking Christ.”
Mrs C lays a hand on my arm. “Ash will need you now more than ever.”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
She smiles, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. “He’ll appreciate that. Maybe you could see him in a little while, when you’ve got your thoughts together.”
I nod but don’t say another word as Mrs C steps back. She turns toward Calla and Angie, trying to comfort them both.
As the news sinks in, an odd sensation swirls in my gut. Jesus, why do bad things happen to good people? I don't understand. Scott was one of the best. We weren’t close for obvious reasons, but I respected him.
The first time we met after he got together with Angie, he told me he knew all about our relationship. Angie had told him everything. I asked him if he wanted to punch my lights out and he almost knocked me off my feet when he started laughing.
“Punch you? Are you joking? More like thank you.I'm the winner in all this, Tommy, so why would I want to hurt you? Think about it. I'm the guy who got the girl, and if you hadn’t chosen a life on the road instead of her, I doubtshe would have looked at me twice. Shall I kiss you now?”
Although he was joking, his words stung a little. I was well aware of what I’d lost and knew I wasn’t worthy of Angie, but Scott was.
That guy was the best of everything. Best friend to Ash, best brother to Calla, best uncle to Zoe, and the best husband to Angie. How the hell do you get your head around losing someone so incredible?
Should I say something? Tell Angie I’m sorry? Or is it too early? Then I freeze on the spot as my thoughts catch up with me. Angie is pregnant. Fuck. The father of her unborn child is gone. She has so much to face alone. How will she cope without him? Too much information swims around my head. Too many worries.
I stand and stare at the huddle of women in front of me. My head spins and my stomach rolls.
I make eye contact with Angie. My body is filled with dread as I take a few steps in her direction. She surprises me, separating herself from the group and falling into my embrace. Our connection is instant and natural. She’s my friend, and I want to help her in any way possible.
“I'm so sorry, babe.” I cup her head, guiding her to my chest as she releases a sob. With each passing second, her pain grows louder, and I do my best to comfort her the only way I know how. Smoothing down her hair, I hold her to me as tight as I can.
Calla steps towards us, probably sensing my uncertainty, and rubs my arm. Thick tears swell in her eyes as she mouths, “Thank you.”
Another piece of this horrific fucking puzzle clicks into place. Calla lost her brother. How can life be this cruel? Ibring her to my other side and grasp both girls close, remembering the man who had so much more to throw at life. I've never felt so fucking useless but, for their sake, I have to be strong.
