The Chase

Chapter Two

“Now that Heavenly is outof earshot saying her final goodbyes, I finally have a chance to tell you that you that you’re an asshole and I told you so.” Seth glared at Beck. “You’ve had months to admit you’re married. Now the truth has blown up in our faces.”

“You really want to do this now?” Beck arched a brow. “I told you it’s not a marriage, just a fucking piece of paper.”

“That you stupidly stashed in your pocket so it fell out at her feet. Way to go, Ace. Why didn’t you just tack it to the fridge with a magnet? Or hey, take out a billboard?”

The doctor clenched his jaw. “Stop bitching. She’s not pissed at you.”

“You think the betrayal she’s feeling doesn’t extend to me? We’re in this together, man, and your past probably just fucked our future.”

“If she’ll just let me explain…”

Seth resisted the urge to punch some sense into Beck. “You’re crazy if you think a few words will fix this.”

The doctor leaned in and lowered his voice. “Shelve the shit. Our girlfriend’s father is fucking dying. I’ll handle this later.”

“What do you suppose Abel is saying to her right now? He was pissed when he figured out we’re the reason for her freshly fucked glow. Do you really think he’s patting her on the back for burning her V-card in a mind-blowing ménage? Fuck no. He’s telling her to leave us, and you’ve given her the perfect reason.”

Behind Seth, someone cleared his throat. He spun to see Dr. Litchfield clap Beck on the shoulder. “I’m sorry. He just flatlined.”

“Fuck.” Gut seizing, Seth turned for Abel’s room.

He was no stranger to death. In fact, he knew that bitch on a professional and personal level. He also knew the different ways people reacted to the sudden passing of a loved one, and he had a bad suspicion that if he and Beck didn’t wrap their girl up in love and comfort quickly, she would slip away.

Together, they followed the tall, lab-coated neurologist into the room. Seth stopped when he spotted Heavenly gripping her father’s slack hand and shuddering with heaving sobs.

The sight gutted him. Beside him, Beck looked equally wrecked.

A nurse shuffled in, glancing at Litchfield. “Doctor?”

He pressed his stethoscope to Abel’s chest, paused, then looped the device around his neck with a sigh. “I’m calling it. Time: oh-one-ten.”

“No!” Heavenly threw herself across her father’s chest.

The doctor murmured his condolences, then nodded Beck’s way and backed out of the room. The nurse followed, gently closing the door behind them.

Seth moved to enfold Heavenly in his arms. Beck held back, fists clenched, eyes full of regret. Dumb ass. He claimed he wasn’t giving up on Heavenly…but being standoffish when she needed him most was only adding more cluster to this fuckup.

Seth cupped her shoulders and pulled her from Abel’s body, against his chest. “Shh, angel. We’re here for you.”

She screeched and fought like a wild thing, glaring at him as she lunged back to her father, hugging him tightly as if her will could somehow keep him on this plane.

“Okay. I’m sorry,” Seth crooned. “Take as long as you need.”

He understood her pain. He’d lived it, so he knew he couldn’t fucking take this agony from her, no matter how badly he wanted to.

“I’m worried she’s in shock.” Beck looked tormented with concern.

Yeah. “Say something to her.”

Though he looked reluctant to upset her more, Beck eased closer—but stopped short of touching her. “We’re so sorry. He’s gone.”

She snapped her stare his way, eyes drenched and accusing. “You think I don’t know that? I just…”

Sobs overtook her again, ending whatever else she might have said.

Seth’s heart twisted. “What do you need, angel? Name it.”