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Chapter 47: Hunter
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HeartLess Chapter 48: Skye
Even though I tell myself that Dad is getting better-or at the very least, staying the same-deep down, I know the disease is getting progressively worse. The chemo makes him sick and he continues to shed weight. It's painful to watch. There's nothing I can do to make it better. I've never felt this powerless in my life. It seems like we're always waiting for the next test results and what it will tell us. We're always hopeful that it will be positive and let down when it turns out to be more bad news. The numbers continue to steadily creep up. The doctors want to give it more time in hopes that the medicine will finally do what it's supposed to. But that hasn't happened. And there's no guarantee it will.Not a day goes by when I don't pop over for a visit. I try to bring a smoothie or a new protein cookie for him to try. Anything with nutritional value I can get in him feels like a small victory in this battle being waged against cancer.Today I've brought chicken noodle so
HeartLess Chapter 49: Hunter
I slide onto my seat for health and throw a quick glance over my shoulder only to find Skye's desk vacant. This is the second time this week she's been absent.Where the hell is she?In the pit of my gut, I know something is wrong. It's not like her to blow off class for any reason. Even when we were in high school, and I'd try to persuade her to skip class, she would refuse.I've shot her a few texts, but it's been stereo silence from her end. And yeah, I get it. Skye wants me to leave her alone, but how can I do that when I'm being eaten up by concern? She might not want me to care, but I still do. I've just done a shit job of showing her that.Midway through class, I catch Jaxon's gaze and jerk my head toward the unoccupied seat next to him. He shrugs and looks away, purposely avoiding my eyes. Jax knows exactly what's going on, but he isn't going to tell me. I've been a douche, and we both know it.Bennet drones on, and I find myself clock-watching, which makes this class
HeartLess Chapter 50: Hunter
Skye stumbles back a step as I push the door open. "I don't know what you think you're doing, but you need to leave!"I shake my head and hold my ground. "I'm not going anywhere."With a grunt of anger, she flies forward and throws all her weight against the door, but her strength is no match for mine. It doesn't take much to overpower her.Even though Skye must know this battle is futile, it doesn't stop her from trying with all her might. "Go away and leave me alone," she growls."I'm sorry, I can't do that." She may not want me, but she needs me. Somehow, I have to do the impossible and prove that I won't hurt her again.When her strength wanes, she lets go with a soft cry, and the door flies open, bouncing off the rubber stopper.Skye screws her eyes shut as if it's possible to block out the world. Or maybe just me. "Please, Hunter, I can't do this with you right now." A pathetic sob breaks free. "I just can't.""I know." I step inside the townhouse and quietly close the
HeartLess Chapter 51: Skye
We lie stretched out on oversized towels that Hunter grabbed from the trunk of his car. Other than a few people strolling past us, we have the beach to ourselves. I close my eyes and listen to the sound of the water lapping against the shore and the seagulls crying overhead. The wind slides over my face as the sun's warmth strokes my cheeks. Things that would normally bring me peace aren't enough to mend the tattered fragments of my heart.I will never be whole again.Exhaustion overtakes me, making it difficult to pick up my head or even suck in a breath. I want nothing more than to dissolve into the sand and become nothing. Maybe then everything won't feel quite so painful. The thought of not being able to see Dad or pick up the phone and call him leaves me feeling lost. As if I'm no longer tethered to the earth.I'm not ready for this.I will never be ready to say goodbye.That thought breaks my heart all over again.Hunter shifts next to me and the heat radiating from his b
HeartLess Chapter 52: Hunter
As soon as I step foot in the small lecture hall, I scour the area for Skye, but she remains conspicuously absent. I drop onto my usual seat before slipping my phone from my backpack and firing off a text to Lanie. Since Skye has gone back to avoiding me, I've been getting all my intel from her best friend. Lanie and I are now texting buddies.I set the phone down and drum my fingers on the desk while waiting for a response. It doesn't take long for her to get back to me.Chill out, stalker-boy. She's on her way.She adds an eye-roll emoji. Then a second message rolls in.Good luck.Yeah, I'm going to need it.A few moments after the texts pop up on my screen, Skye rushes through the door before sliding onto her seat next to Jaxon.Now that she's here, I can calm down and focus for the next fifty minutes. Well, that's the plan. Dr. Bennet isn't exactly the most scintillating of public speakers. Throughout the class, my attention wanders, and I find myself glancing over my shou
HeartLess Chapter 53: Skye
At the end of our appointment, Dr. Mestoff grabs a card from the coffee table before scribbling something on the back and handing it to me. The front has her name and contact information."We run several groups on campus for students who are dealing with grief. I wrote down where they meet and the times." She gestures toward the card. "You're welcome to join us and try it out. It's an open group, meaning that people drop in when they're in need of support. Sometimes they share, and other times, they simply listen. It's whatever you're comfortable with."I glance up and meet her soft brown eyes. "You really think this could help?""I do. Feelings of grief can be difficult to deal with, especially alone. Many people find comfort in talking about it with others who are in similar situations. I also understand that not everyone is comfortable meeting and talking in a group setting, which is why one-on-one counseling is available. What's important to know is that Claremont has s
HeartLess Chapter 54: Skye
I suck in a breath as the intensity grows between us. A change in conversation seems to be in order. "Thanks again for making an appointment at the counseling center. It's not something I would have done on my own.""You're welcome. I'm glad it was helpful."His thumb rubs delicate circles against my palm. The caress is distracting, and I feel myself getting lost in his touch. When I realize what's going on, I have to jerk myself out of the haze.I clear my throat and refocus my attention on our conversation instead of the attraction humming below the surface of my skin. "Dr. Mestoff mentioned a grief group they run on campus.""That sounds interesting. Are you going to check it out?""I think so. And I'm going to make another appointment to see her next week." What she helped me realize today is that I can't handle this on my own. Dr. Mestoff has thrown me a lifeline, and I need to grab it with both hands.It's almost a relief when the waitress arrives with our burgers, mil
HeartLess Chapter 55: Hunter
Well...that didn't go as planned. We'd been having a great time before Mason showed up and blew it all to shit.I flick my gaze at the girl sitting quietly next to me as we head back to campus. I have no idea what's going through her head. I'm almost afraid to ask. "Are you okay?""Yeah, I'm fine." She shifts her body toward mine. "I didn't realize that you and Mason weren't talking."My grip tightens around the steering wheel. Even thinking about what my brother did pisses me off. If he's under the impression that some lame-ass apology is going to fix things between us, he's got another thing coming. As far as I'm concerned, there's nothing my brother can do to repair the damage he inflicted."I haven't spoken to him since the car accident." My jaw clenches as I push out the rest. "Not since I found out what he did.""Oh." With her brows furrowed, she turns and stares out the windshield.Fury and resentment bubble up inside me, and I try to tamp it down. "I have nothing t
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