But those weren’t the reasons I gave him a piece of my heart that day.

I gave it to him…because he showed me his.

Sometimes, when you least expect it…two beautifully broken souls end up finding each other.

Even when the world says they’re not supposed to…because they don’t fit inside the same box.

“Terrible people don’t do things like that for others,” I tell him.

He averts his gaze. “It still doesn’t erase what I did to Liam. It doesn’t take away the fact that I bullied him…that I turned him away when he needed me.”

“You’re right, it doesn’t change what you did in the past.” I kiss his forehead, his cheeks. “But it means you learned…you grew. We all make mistakes. Some of them so awful it will churn stomachs, break hearts, and ruin lives. But people can and do change. You’re not that same thirteen-year-old boy anymore. Liam’s death was tragic, but something good came out of it because it changed you…for the better.”

I run my finger along his jaw. “And even if Liam died that night blaming you for it. The fact that you wish you could fix things…that you regret being mean to him. Regret not listening to him. Regret not loving him while he was still here…means you have a soul worthy of forgiveness, Colton.” I draw in a shaky breath. “And even though he’s gone…it’s not too late to start loving him.”

It’s never too late to start loving someone.

He hugs me so tightly, it steals the air from my lungs.

“You just saved my fucking life, Bible thumper.”

Then we’re even.

Because once upon a time…

He saved mine, too.

Chapter 74

Sawyer

“He just needs a little breathing room,” Bianca says as we walk through the door of Christian’s. “Space is good for a relationship.”

She might be right, but it doesn’t make it hurt any less.

It’s been almost a month since his meltdown, and things haven’t been too great.

We’re still together, but there’s a distance.

It’s like the harder I love him…the harder he pushes me away.

Given I’m leaving for the airport tomorrow to fly down for my sister’s wedding, I was really hoping we could patch things up before then.

However, he said he had plans to hang out with Oakley for a boys’ night. I’d be upset about being snubbed, but honestly? If Oakley can help Cole pull his head out of his ass, I’m all for it.

I was planning on spending the night at home, but Bianca asked me to go with her to Christian’s.

“Besides I don’t think it’s your fault,” she continues as we walk to the table lined with alcohol. “He’s taking the fallout with Jace pretty hard.”

That is true.

Cole decided to come clean about the conversation he had with Liam before he passed.

Let’s just say Jace wasn’t as understanding as I was.

He told Cole he needed a break from being his brother.

Cole won’t say it of course, but I know he’s hurting.

However, I know with a little more time, Jace will come around.

And if he doesn’t? I’ll be paying him a visit.

“How do you feel about what happened?”

It’s probably wrong to bring it up in the middle of a party, but since we’re on the subject.

Bianca ponders this as she fills her red Solo cup up with liquor she won’t bother drinking. “I wish he stopped him. But I don’t think Cole could see past his own selfishness back then, so he had no idea Liam would…you know.” She clears the emotion out of her throat. “I could spend the rest of my life hating Cole for it, but then I’d lose two brothers.”

Just when you think Bianca is nothing but a manipulating spoiled troublemaker…she shows you a side to her that grips your heart.

I look around. “You know, we can always ditch the party and go somewhere to talk…if you want.”

I don’t want her to feel like she’s all alone or has no one to go to.

She scrunches her face. “Sorry, church girl. Thanks for the offer, but I’m over my whole lesbo phase—” Her gaze snags on something across the room. “On second thought.” She hands me her drink. “I’ll be back in a bit.”

“What—” I start to say, but she’s already making her way across the living room to the makeshift dance floor.

Where Morgan and Hayley are dancing.

Yeah, I’m not even going to involve myself with that mess.

Instead I walk out to the patio for some fresh air.

It’s so weird not seeing Cole in the hot tub, but I’m proud of him for not turning to drinking and partying to work through his issues.

“Let me guess,” Cortland says behind me. “He dumped your ass.” Before I can tell him to fuck off, he’s standing beside me. “It was only a matter of time.”

You’d think he’d stop talking smack after Cole gave him a million-dollar car, but nope. The asshole is determined to spread misery around.

“Who hurt you, Cortland?”

He laughs, taking a swig from his beer bottle. “I’d ask you the same thing, but it’s painfully obvious who did. Unless he’s here.” He looks around mockingly. “Nope. he’s not.” He leers at me. “Although, that’s shaping up to be a big mistake on his part, because you’re looking less like a beached whale and more like a hottie these days.” He clicks his bottle against the cup I’m still holding. “Good for you.”

He’s such an asshole it makes my skin crawl.

“Cole didn’t break up with me. We’re doing just fine, dipshit.”

I hope.

“For how long?” Cortland muses, echoing my thoughts.

I won’t take the bait. “Will you just go away?”

“Fine.” He leans in close. Too close. “But when he decides you don’t do it for him anymore and dumps your fat ass without so much as a goodbye…don’t say you weren’t warned.” He flashes me a smile. “Have a nice night.”

His cruel words make me flinch.

Cole isn’t like that…what we have isn’t perfect or sunshine and rainbows twenty-four seven. But it’s real.

I suck in a breath as he stalks off…until Casey walks up to me.

“Hard being the girl at the top…isn’t it?”

I narrow my eyes. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Not yet, you don’t,” she whispers. “But you will, and trust me, sweetheart. It will hurt like hell.”

Her words reek of foreshadowing, but I know better than to trust a snake like her. “Thanks for the warn—”

She cackles. “It’s not a warning, Sawyer. It’s inevitable. Cole Covington is going to break your heart into a thousand pieces. And the fact that you’re here tonight and he’s not? Means it’s happening sooner than you think.”

My heart knocks against my chest. “What makes you—”

“Because I was the girl before you, remember?” She frowns. “Guys like him aren’t capable of love. They’re only capable of giving you their dick temporarily before moving on to their next pretty conquest.”