Fallen Crest Forever (Fallen Crest Series Book 7)(102)

“What the hell are you doing?” he yelled. “You and Mason? He’s off drinking with Nate and Matteo right now. You’re leaving. You can’t leave!”

This was making it worse. I was going to give up, collapse on the bed, and wait for Mason to come back and pick me up. I was two seconds from doing that, but I snapped.

“He could’ve been shot! SHOT! He could’ve been killed.” Rage gave me power. Rage gave me the strength to say, “Something has to change. It has to. This is the only card I have. If I stay . . .” Nothing would change. “I have to go, Logan. Please understand.”

Maybe I was wrong. I didn’t want to go. Even thinking about it, I staggered. My knees buckled, and I fell to the edge of the bed.

But I had to. It was the only thing I could do differently. It was all I could do.

“I don’t have to accept this, and I don’t. You’re my stepsister, so you’re stuck with me anyway. You and Mason.” Logan’s disdain was evident. His lip curled up in a sneer. “You both make me sick.”

He swept past me.

I should’ve felt a break in the tension. I should’ve been able to breathe easier.

The outside door slammed shut a second later, rattling the entire house.

I couldn’t. If anything, I felt like I was choking instead.

But I couldn’t do this.

That phrase was on repeat in my head. I couldn’t stay because eventually a gun was going to come for Mason, eventually someone was going to die. But I couldn’t go either. I was leaving half of me here.

“Sam?”

A new voice.

I tensed, wondering who else was here to assault me, but it was Courtney. She pushed some of her strawberry blond hair behind her ear and smiled, coming toward me from the doorway. She took the shirt I had in my hand. Her touch was gentle. Everything about her was gentle.

“I can help,” she murmured.

More tears flowed down my face. I was numb, but I wasn’t. I was dazed. I was too aware. I could feel everything. I couldn’t feel anything.

I was a mess.

I just choked out, “Thank you.”

Grace stood behind Courtney, and she stayed in the doorway, a sympathetic smile on her face. “Hey, Sam.”

Courtney shared a look with Grace before clearing her throat. “Maybe I could finish packing for you? I’m sure Taylor will bring anything I missed?”

I couldn’t answer. That meant I had to actually leave. I had to stand and walk out. For real.

I sat.

“Um . . . ”

“SAM?! SAM!”

I froze. That voice was Heather’s. Someone had called her. She hurried down the hallway, pausing at the sight of Courtney and Grace, but rushed to me. “Oh, Sam.”

That’s all she said. That was all she had to say.

I’d been crying before, but I sobbed now. “Heather.” I could only gut out her name.

“Sam.” She grabbed me in a hug, cradling my head to her chest, and she just held me, like a child. I was gone after that. Heather was there. She would take care of everything, and I just cried.





We went to Courtney and Grace’s apartment.

I would remember later how Heather took over. She introduced herself, found out who they were, then took one look at me and the room. She announced, “Okay. Let’s pack up her things.”

And just like that, they did.

Heather told me later that Channing came with her. I couldn’t move, so he’s the one who carried me out of the house and to Heather’s car. He helped carry me into the apartment too, but he left again. I didn’t know where he went, and Heather said later that Channing left to join the guys.

She was there for me. He was there for Mason.

The rest of that night, I cried.

Heather held me, and I kept crying.

I didn’t know when I would stop.





It was dark. Heather’s even breathing beside me told me she was sleeping soundly, but something had woken me up.

A flash!

There it was. I looked over. My phone was flashing. I already knew who it was. I felt him inside of me, and I clicked on the screen.

You okay? I just want to know that much.

Sadness lined every organ in my body. I didn’t think it would ever leave. Crying. But awake. You?

I didn’t wait long.

A minute later, Drunk.

It was a dagger to me. I didn’t want Mason to hurt. I didn’t want to hurt.

Thirty seconds later. How are we going to do this?

I took a deep breath. My hand started to tremble. What do you mean?

His reply: We should talk. I know why, but we should still talk.

He was right. I thumbed back, a hollow ache filled my chest, Give me a bit. I can’t talk and not break down yet.

Can I text you? Can we still do this?

I let the breath out. I already knew my face was wet again. I didn’t think it was going to be dry any time soon. A thousand knives were in my lungs, in my throat. I couldn’t breathe without pain. I couldn’t swallow without pain. I couldn’t move without pain.