The Past

Chapter 2

Chapter 2BRYSON

I stood motionless, unable to shake the vision I’d had. I listened as both guys revved their engines and then took off. Something was off with Corbin’s driving though. I couldn’t fully comprehend it, but it looked to me like he was fighting for control.

“Come on, Corbin,” I whispered. “You promised me.” Nothing could happen to him. My feelings for him had started to become clearer. The fog over my feelings was lifting, and nothing could happen to him. I needed him. I wanted him. I couldn’t lose him.

“What’s wrong with Mercer?” Bennett asked, standing beside me, Kimber at his side.

I shook my head, “I don’t know.”

Kimber huffed, drawing my attention, “He seems intoxicated.” My eyes widened and I looked back toward the race.

He was all over the place, although he had finally pulled in front of Kenedy. “No. No, Kimber, he can’t be.” I knew Corbin took risks, but they were all superficial. I didn’t understand why he felt he needed to do silly stunts, yet I accepted them, but it was because I also knew he was never truly at risk. Getting behind the wheel if he was intoxicated wasn’t something he would do. He wouldn’t do that to me. To himself. He just wouldn’t be that careless with his life.

“It’s not impossible, bro. He’s all over the place.” I glared at my brother. I wanted to scream at him that Corbin was not under the influence of something, but before the words left my mouth, my world changed.

CRASH!

I whipped my gaze back to the dirt track just in time to see Corbin’s car roll. “Corbin!” I raced to the fence where his car now rested. “Corbin!” I hit my knees and peered into the car. I could see the blood. “No, Corbin! No!” I screamed, tears scalding my face.

“Help is coming, Bry.” my brother’s voice rang out, but deep inside, I knew he was gone. He hadn’t moved. He hadn’t made a sound. Just as things had come into focus for me, everything was stripped away.

CORBIN

I knew I needed to pull over. I was fighting for control of my car. I promised Bryson I’d be careful. I had pulled in front of Kenedy and was so close to winning, but everything was growing blurry. I had to stop. I fought to stay in control of my car and my body, but I was slowly losing. Why couldn’t I pull over? As everything began to fade away, I whispered, “I’m sorry, Bry.” Just then, everything went black.

My breathing became labored, and I fought to hang on. His voice my saving grace, “Corbin!”

After hearing my name on his lips, darkness surrounded me and pulled me under. When I woke up, I didn’t feel awake, and I wasn’t sure why. I walked toward a light and was met with a horrific sight, and even more horrific words.

“I think we’ve lost him, Doc.” I glanced around the room in a panic as machines beeped. A flat line catching my full attention as it moved across the screen.

I ran my hands down my body. I was right here, but there on the table, I wasn’t moving. “No!” I screamed, willing them to hear me. To look at me. “I’m right here!” Everyone scurried around, but no one looked my way.

“Shock him,” the doctor ordered as I stood in the corner helpless.

“Please,” I whispered, falling back against the wall. “Not like this.”

“Again!” the doctor shouted, but as they shocked me for the second time, my body remained lifeless. “One more time.”

I closed my eyes. “Come on, fight. You have to fight, for Bry.” But my pleas to my motionless body were futile. My eyes opened and the line remained flat.

“It’s too late,” a voice echoed around me, and I crashed to the floor, darkness pulling me in once again.

Would Bryson ever know how much he truly meant to me? “I love you, Bry,” I whispered to the emptiness that surrounded me. Reality finally sank in. I was dead.

BRYSON

I saw the moment the doctor came out. I watched as he walked over to Corbin’s parents, and I saw the moment when both his mom and his dad lost it. It all felt surreal, like I was watching it outside of my own body.

“He’s gone,” I whispered. “He can’t be gone.” Already on my knees, I prayed hard, as everything fogged up. This was a dream. It had to be a dream. “No!” I screamed.

My whole body was shaking. I felt someone kneel beside me and gather me into their arms. “It’s going to be okay, Bry.” My brother’s voice sad and shaken. Me, however, I wasn’t shaken, I wasn’t even sad. I was destroyed. Nothing could fix the pain I felt. Bennett would try, but nothing would fix this.

“It’s not okay,” I cried, “It’ll never be okay.” My body shook harder, and I sucked in a breath but got no air. “He never knew I loved him.” I felt Bennett’s body freeze up. I knew it was too late to admit my feelings, but I had to get them out. If Bennett pulled away from me, I knew I wouldn’t survive. I pulled back and stared at him, “I loved him, Bennett. I still love him.” My brother remained silent but pulled me back into his arms. His actions spoke volumes to me. He was here for me, no matter what. Quietly, he tried to comfort me, but I couldn’t be comforted. Not with my heart shattered.

“Bryson?” I swallowed hard at her voice as I pulled away from my brother, and shakily got to my feet.

“Mrs. Mercer.” I could barely look at her. Why didn’t I stop him? I should’ve stopped him. That vision was a warning sign and I failed him. “I let him down,” I whispered.

She pulled me into a hug, “No, Bryson, no. You saved him.” The tears poured out of my eyes harder. If only she knew the truth.

“I didn’t stop him. I should’ve stopped him,” I sobbed against her.

She pulled back. I waited for her to scream and berate me, but to my surprise, she cupped my face in her hands. “My Corbin would’ve been lost a long time ago, but then, he met you. Bryson Trevino, you saved him. He loved you so much.” She kissed my cheek, leaving me stunned. He loved me? Like I loved him? I had never wanted the sentiment to be truer, yet at the same time, I didn’t want it to be true, because he was gone now, and we would never get our chance. It was too late. There was no going back. The past couldn’t be changed.

Bennett shouldered up next to me, “So, you and Corbin?” I shook my head, “But you said...,” he paused, giving me an in.

“I never told him. Why, Bennett? Why didn’t I tell him?” Irrational fears had plagued me and now I had lost him.

“I can’t answer that, bro, but it’s never too late.” I glared at him because it was too late. Corbin was gone. How did he not get this? “We need to get home. Mom is worried.”

He walked away and I thought about his words. Maybe, just maybe, Bennett had a point. I needed to take this moment and give Corbin what I hadn’t been able to while he was alive. I looked up at the ceiling and whispered, “I love you, Corbin.” I squeezed my eyes tight for a moment before opening them to hurry after my brother.