Close To The Dangerous Bad Boy novel Chapter 75

Irene Dashwood.

I gasped for air, accidentally squeezing his hand even harder.

He smiled, staring at his mother's final resting space. "Mom, meet Skye."

I didn't know how to respond, so I just awkwardly waved. "Um, hi..."

He furrowed his eyebrows and put a hand in front of his mouth. Oh crap, was he going to cry? What do I do?!

All of a sudden he burst out laughing. I was completely...shocked?

"W...What's so funny?"

"Haha, I'm sorry, it's just that I am really not one of those people who talk to tombstones..." He was still shaking from laughter.

"Then why did you..."

"It was just funny to see your reaction."

I slapped his arm. "It's not funny. I thought you're supposed to be respectful..."

"Nah, when you're dead, you're dead. That's what my mom said." His eyes seemed strangely cheerful. "She didn't believe in all this - burial scenarios, funerals, bringing candles and flowers to the grave. When she was, well you know," I heard a small crack in his voice. "she said that it's okay if I remember her every once in a while, but I shouldn't think about her too much. I should just live. And she said that if I ever try to bring her flowers, I should just give them to some pretty girl instead." He smiled softly at the grave.

"Wow, your mom sounds like..."

"She was a quirky kind a gal. She believed you should live for the moment." His smiled dropped a bit. "You know, it wasn't the death that was scary, it was the dying part. Watching someone wither away..."

I could feel it now. The pain. The hurt. The sorrow. I could feel it through him and all around him.

He was always the one protecting me...now it was my turn to protect him.

"Let's go!" I grabbed his hand and ran through the cemetery. I ran from all regrets, from all the sadness, from all death, from all the memories and words unspoken.

We ran out on the street, away from the past, through the valley of ruby-red trees, which were creating a path just for us.

"Where are we going?"

"You'll see."

This was supposed to be a sad day, and it was...but we shouldn't dwell on the past. What happened, happened. Forget and forgive...Well, maybe not forgive, more like - let go. Just let go. For yourself, not for others.

Because you are strong enough.

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