Page 61 of The Bitter Words

Bren seems to be pondering something as he makes himself a plate. I spin on my stool and peer out the window.

It’s dark out. I laugh to myself because it’s how I feel about my insides a lot of the time. I’m full of blackness.

If I could only shed some light on what I need to lift from my soul, I think I’d be a lot happier. I discovered that through therapy. Too bad I wasn’t given the blueprint to fix it.

That thought takes me right back to Lehlani Rose. How do I ever heal and move on from what I did to her?

I slam the door of my brand-new blue Audi and march to Callum’s front door. It’s been almost two weeks since I’ve seen him and I’ve had enough of the bullshit excuses.

He has no idea I’m coming over because the jerk quit answering my text messages two days ago. I knock on the front door.

“Come in,” Victoria hollers.

I enter their house, ready to give Callum an earful. That is until my fiery gaze lands on Victoria.

She’s on the couch, with Callum’s head in her lap. He’s asleep and in the fetal position, with his face pointing toward her.

She brushes his hair from his forehead with the gentle stroke of her fingertips. All my anger fades and gets replaced with an emptiness and confusion spreading throughout my bones.

She raises her finger to her lips, giving me theshhhsignal.

“Hi,” I say in a pitch a little above a whisper. “I’m sorry I stopped by unannounced, but I’m worried about him.”

“It’s okay, honey. I understand.” She gazes down at her son and continues caressing him in a motherly way. “Don’t give up on him, Livianna. He’s just…”

“I can see he’s really sick. He’s going to get better, isn’t he?” My chest grows heavy out of fear he’s dying.

I have a sudden urge to cry. I point to the chair across from her, asking her if it’s okay if I stay for a little while.

She nods, and I take a seat. I glance around the room. There are tissues and medication bottles on the coffee table.

I peer over at him with my heart aching. “Did you get him to the doctor?”

“No. He’s been too…tired.”

“Then where did the prescriptions come from?” I gesture to the table with a tip of my head.

She peeks over at them. “John and I have a friend who’s a physician assistant. We asked him to come over and see Bubba. He prescribed those for him.”

“What’s wrong with Callum?”

“My sweet angel is in a lot of pain.” She shifts her loving gaze back to his face. “You understand that, don’t you?”

Her question comes out weighted. What does she mean by that? The room seems to shrink and the air fills with a low vibrating energy.

Did I have something to do with Callum getting sick? It wouldn’t surprise me if I did. This is what I do to people who get really close to me.

I lean forward, resting my elbows on the top of my knees and holding my own hands. “Did I cause this?”

“No, honey.” She runs her palm over his stubbly cheek. “He’s dealing with…migraines. His head is bruised and he needs to be around people who love him. Once he remembers that he’s surrounded with love, he’ll be better.”

I shake my head, not understanding what she’s trying to tell me. “But I love him and if what he has isn’t contagious,then why does it seem like he doesn’t want me around? He’s not even responding to my messages anymore.”

“Give him time and he will.”

I stare at him, completely lost. “How long do you think he needs?”

“Just enough to remind him he’s stronger than he knows. Once that happens, he’ll rise to all challenges. He’s not his pops. This is just a little hiccup and once he realizes we’re in control, he’ll get back on his feet. He’s just scared something will happen again, but it won’t.”