47. Chapter 47
John
Rain soaked through my jacket in minutes, the kind that didn’t bother pretending it would stop anytime soon. I stepped off the curb and onto the street anyway, head down, hands jammed into my pockets, trying to outrun a conversation I knew was waiting for me at home.
What do I tell Seth?
The question looped, useless and loud.
I turned onto the main road, past the jogging path that sat empty and slick with mud. No runners today. Just me, and Mrs. Whitely collecting her mail beneath the overhang of her porch. She waved. I waved back, automatically, and adjusted my steps to avoid the worst of the puddles.
This was my wedding week.
Mine.
I wasn’t marrying just anyone - I was marrying Cate. Catherine Larkin. The woman who somehow made every room feel warmer just by standing in it. The woman who knew me better than anyone else in the world.
And Seth, my best friend, my brother in every way that mattered, deserved the truth.
I crossed the street as a car barreled past, spraying dirty water up my calves. I swore under my breath, shaking my feet uselessly once I reached the sidewalk. The rain came down harder, drumming against my shoulders, my neck, my thoughts.
I glanced back at the house just as the garage door began to lift.
Cate stepped out with an umbrella, her head turning as she scanned the street.
I didn’t stop.
I wasn’t angry, I just wanted things to be perfect, and…
I shook my head.
By the time I looked back again, she was gone.
I cut through the park, my shoes sinking into wet grass. The playground sat deserted, swings creaking faintly in the wind. I slowed there, letting my thoughts drift somewhere safer.
Kids.
Someday. Not yet, but someday.
Cate had admitted once, quietly, like it was a secret she didn’t quite trust, that she wanted a family. Two kids, maybe three. Not big. Just… full.
The image hit me out of nowhere: her in the kitchen, belly round, complaining about pickles while eating ice cream straight from the carton. I laughed aloud, the sound strange and lonely in the empty park.
I pulled my phone from my pocket, thumb hovering over her name. Calling would turn into talking. Talking would turn into everything.
So I typed instead.
Me: I love you Cate. See you soon <3
I hit send and shoved the phone away, heart pounding harder than it should have.
Okay. I’ll go back. I’ll call Seth. I’ll do the right thing.
I turned around.
That’s when I noticed the bushes.
They shook a few yards away, leaves trembling against the rain. Something pale flashed between the branches. White fur, maybe, and a sharp yelp cut through the sound of the storm.
A dog.
“Hey,” I muttered, already moving toward it. “Easy, buddy.”
I crouched and pushed the branches aside.
“Give me your wallet.”
The voice came from behind me, low, rough, and too close.
I froze.
Slowly, I leaned back and raised my hands, heart slamming so hard it hurt. I stood and began to turn, stupidly thinking of old movies, of heroes and calm voices and everything working out.
“Don’t move.”
Something hard pressed into the small of my back.
A gun.
“Okay,” I said quickly. “I’m not moving.”
Hands patted me down - my pockets, my jacket. My pulse roared in my ears. I kept my arms raised, lungs burning, thinking of Cate, of the kitchen light, of all the things I still hadn’t said.
The hands moved lower, invasive, searching. I clenched my jaw, nausea rolling through me, but I didn’t move.
Finally, the pressure eased. The footsteps retreated.
I waited.
Counted breaths.
Lowered my arms slowly.
I turned, and the world exploded in pain.
The last thing I saw was a blur of motion and a flash of metal arcing down toward my head.
Then everything went dark.