I did this.

“Young man, you shouldn’t get too close. The car is leaking gas.”

A quick inspection of the ground confirmed the older woman’s warning. Already, I could hear sirens in the background, but I couldn’t wait for them. I called out to Sheldon, but when she didn’t answer or move, I realized she was unconscious. Blood leaked from her head and given her recent head injury, it made the situation all the more detrimental.

I yanked on the door handle, but it wouldn’t budge. The glass was completely shattered so I reached inside cutting my arm and hand in the process. No matter how hard I shoved and yanked and pounded, the door wouldn’t budge. I ran around and tried all four until the rear passenger door gave way.

“Oh, dear,” the older lady from before gasped. “Son, you better get away and wait for help to come. That pole is beginning to spark.”

It didn’t take an explanation to know what would happen if a single spark reached the ground and gas that traveled closer to the pole by the second.

I refused to lose my father and her in the same night.

“Son, get away from there. You’re going to get yourself killed,” a faceless voice yelled from the crowd. There was no way I was leaving her or standing by for help. If it came to it, I would die with her.

Without her, I was dead anyway.

I crawled inside just as she began to come to, and I said a quick, silent prayer that she was still alive and reached out for her.

Screams ripped through the air, and when I looked back, I saw a single spark falling. I watched it fall for all of two seconds and then moved with renewed determination. I reached out again, but just as I did, hands grabbed onto me, pulling me away.

“No!” I screamed and clawed at the hands grabbing me, but there were too many pulling me further away. The spark had now reached the ground and raced toward the car. I threw an elbow and my head back, not caring who was on the receiving end and managed to break free.

Adrenaline surged through my veins.

On my hands and knees, I scrambled for the car once again and dove in without hesitation. I ripped the seatbelt away and caught her just as the car caught the first fire. Instantly, I could feel the flames heating my skin. Smoke filled the car making it hard to see, and the way I came in was already engulfed leaving my only way out through the driver’s door.

With little room, I kicked at the door, aware at any moment the car would explode. Even now, I could feel myself tiring from the smoke that filled my lungs. It was becoming impossible to breathe and even the force of my kicks decreased.

I began to see my life as it had been and then my life as it could be.

“Keenan,” Sheldon groaned before she went still.

Just the sound of my name from her gave me the strength I needed, and with one last kick, the door finally gave way.

* * * * *

ONE MONTH LATER

“I still can’t believe you closed the shop. However will you service all the women of Los Angeles?”

“Would you stop with the slut jokes? I haven’t slept with a single woman in California.”

“Oh, I know, but it’s so much fun to see your panties in a twist.”

“Get lost, Di.” I pretended not to care but quickly gave up the fight. “How did you know?”

“Because you were so much more happy go lucky when you were getting laid on a regular basis. Since you left, you’ve become a grumpy asshole. I would say even worse than brother dearest.”

“Are you here to help me unpack or reflect on my character?”

“I can’t believe you really left.”

“You can always stay. Keenan and Di—on the road again.”

“Umm… live in Six Forks? I don’t think so. I need the glam life in the city.”

“Or maybe you’re scared,” I teased.

“There is nothing in Six Forks that scares me.” The frown she wore was troubled. I cocked an eyebrow at her but didn’t respond. Unlike her, I didn’t push.

I looked around my father’s house that he left to Keiran and me along with every single thing he owned. Keiran had immediately rejected everything while I chose to donate everything minus the house and his business. We had our differences as fucked up as they were, but I couldn’t bring myself to give away everything he built.

I had the attorneys divide everything that belonged to John, and everything that was inherited, and had them donate the inherited funds to various organizations with the larger portions going to foundations dedicated to battered women and children.

“So what’s next?”