Page 121 of Always Love You More

I feel tears streaming down my face when she says, “Sam,” the word drenched in fear. “Johnny’s what?”

“Dead,” I say on a sob. “Johnny’s dead.”

She sucks in a breath, and I hear the phone drop. Seconds pass before she picks it up again.

“Cath,” I say quietly. “Are you—”

“How?” She chokes out. “How did he …?” Her question fades away as tears take its place.

“A car accident.”

“Oh my God.” She swallows. “What …? What happened?”

“He was being chased by the cops and hit a tree,” I answer, trying my best to separate myself from the words coming out of my mouth.

“The cops? Why was he being chased by the cops?”

“He was trying to steal a car.”

“What’re you …? A car?” Her words come out in a rush. “I don’t understand. Why would he be stealing a car?”

I clear my throat, forcing my own tears back. “He was on a job.”

“A job?”

She doesn’t know. Of course he didn’t tell her.

“Sam,” my sister pushes, “what job?”

I dart my eyes to Jameson. “He was working for Levi Baxston.”

“What? Are you fucking kidding me?”

I go silent.

“Why would he do that? Why didn’t he ask me for help?” she whispers. “I could have—”

“You know how he is,” I say, my mind catching on the last word.

Is.

I guess it’swasnow.

“When did …?”

“Last night,” I tell her. “Around one in the morning.”

“And nobody called me until now?”

“I was …” I look over at Jameson. “I was really messed up, and I just … I’m sorry … I couldn’t …”

“I didn’t mean …” She blows out a breath. “Fuck … I didn’t mean to make you feel bad. I know the two of you were … well, you were always his favorite.”

Jameson wipes the tears from my face.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t there with you,” she says, choking back her own tears. “I should have checked in with him more. I should have known—”

“It’s okay,” I try to reassure her. “I’m okay, Cath. This isn’t your fault. It’s—”