Read Online I Can't Die Alone by Regina Bartley - Free Book Online Page A

you better. You don’t have to shy away from me. I like that I keep you on your toes, and when you blush like that I think you’re beautiful.”
    Deep breathe in. Who says things like that? 
    Maybe I was being naïve, but I’d never been with a guy before. I’d never been told those things by anyone except my mother. The way he said them was unbelievably hot, and I couldn’t hide the way his words made me feel. 
    “You’ll get used to me,” he said.
    “Will I?” I smiled. “I know I should be better equipped in this dating process, but to be honest I’m glad I’m not.”
    “Why’s that?” He asked. 
    “As crazy as this sounds, I want to be able to remember this feeling.” I squinted my eyes tightly because I felt like I wasn’t making much sense. “It’s always been me and my mom. I was almost seventeen when she got sick, and I devoted all my time to taking care of her. I never got the chance to live the normal teenage life. I never really had friends. I guess you can say that I had to grow up quicker than most. Only, what I didn’t realize at the time was that I hadn’t really grown up at all. Maybe my heart was older, but my experiences weren’t. So when I say I want to remember this feeling it’s because I know I’ll never get it again. It’s a little late in life for first time butterflies, but it’s an amazing feeling. Gosh, I must sound so stupid. I feel stupid.”
    “You’re not stupid. I get it. I meant every word I said about wanting to know you. I’m glad that I’m the only person to give you butterflies, and for what it’s worth, you make me feel the same way.” 
    I looked him in the eyes as he said those words to me. I didn’t want to look away. It was hard, but I found the courage to keep eye contact. There was no hidden meaning or false hope. He spoke the truth, and it was everything that I needed to hear and more. 
    “You guys start dinner without me?” 
    “Dad,” Bo said giving him an awkward glance. “Perfect timing.”
    I smiled and looked away. Interruptions or not, there was no wiping the smile off my face.
    The three of us ate until we couldn’t move. There was so much food, but we managed to eat almost all of it. I had two pieces of chicken, which I never did, but this was no ordinary fried chicken. It was amazing. 
    “Since your Mom passed away, what’ve you been doing? Did you work?” Ben asked me as we made ourselves comfortable in front of the T.V. We decided to save the dishes until later.
    “I didn’t have to. After Mom died, I sold our house and my Mom’s car to move to an apartment closer to the city. I had money left from my Dad’s life insurance policy as well, so I didn’t really have to work. I adopted a cat, tried to learn to play the piano, and watched Netflix all the time.” Both men thought that was funny as the room filled with snickers. “I volunteered at the animal shelter occasionally, but I started feeling sick about a month ago. I never got a chance to go to college, and I wouldn’t know what I’d go for anyway.” I shrugged. 
    The room was a bit silent except for the television. They were probably pondering over my missed opportunities. I didn’t have time to dwell.
    “As long as we are all here together, I was hoping I could go over a few things with you. About the funeral and stuff. If you’re up to it?” 
    They agreed, and I was thankful. Tomorrow wasn’t a guarantee and I needed to be prepared.
    “I’ll go get my notebook,” I said, as I stood up from the couch.
    “I’ll go make popcorn?” Bo questioned and I rolled my eyes. Who has to ask if you want popcorn? Duh.
    He smirked.
    I grabbed my notebook from my backpack and padded down the hall back towards the living room. I stopped next to Bo in the kitchen. “I know that funeral planning isn’t the ideal date,” I whispered to him. “But thank you. Tonight was wonderful, and I won’t forget it.”
    “Me either.”
    “Okay…” I sat cross-legged on