Read Online Secured Secret by Charity Parkerson - Free Book Online Page A

didn’t think that I was you. He knew full well who he was attacking because I goaded him with my taunts, and I am every bit as guilty as you are.”
    At Weave’s continued silence, Bob gave up. He said his peace. That was all he could do. It was all that he was ever able to do. So with one last squeeze of his brother’s arm, he walked away, passing Shannon as he came in.
    Weave was solid today, if for no other reason than the news of the explosion was enough to kill anyone’s high. When he heard a throat being cleared, he glanced over, surprised to see Shannon coming down the aisle. “Can I sit with you?”
    “Yeah man, of course.”
    Weave cleared his own throat a few times before finally asking. “So how long ago did you guys get married?” He tried hard to sound normal but failed miserably.
    “Two weeks ago. We went to Cancun and were married there. We didn’t invite anyone. It was a private ceremony, and we told the families when we got home.”
    “Is she happy?”
    “Yes.”
    “Does she,” he began, then fell silent before deciding he did indeed need to know. “Is she in love with you too?”
    “Yes.”
    Shannon’s one word carried away the last of his hope, and his eyes closed in defeat.
    “I’m unfixable,” Weave heard himself saying. “Broken beyond all repair. Funnily enough, I never felt that way about myself until my own brother pointed it out to me. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I always believed that I could turn it all around. Now I’m being forced to face a fact that has been obvious to everyone but me; that I’m dead already. I just haven’t laid down yet.”
    Shannon stayed silent for a moment before saying; “I’m still your friend for as long as you want me, and I hope that one day you don’t wake up and decide you really do hate me over this thing with Genie. You are not unfixable, but you need professional help, and I wish you’d at least try.” Shannon took a deep breath as if he were trying to control his own temper. “At least then we would all know that you haven’t completely given up. And I love you man, just like a brother. Your brother loves you, but you are slowly killing him. I’m afraid if you ever do decide to lay down that he’ll follow you.”
    Shannon squeezed his shoulder as he started to stand. Weave put a hand out, stopping him.
    “I know from all of Bob’s many lectures that he thinks that I don’t care about anything anymore, but that’s not the truth. The real problem is that I care too much. I love you, and my brother. I do love Genie, but I’m not good and I would have crushed her underneath the weight of my bullshit. I’ve known from the very beginning that you’re the best man for her, and I can tell you really love her so I wish the two of you all the happiness in the world. Maybe one day you’ll accept me back into your lives.”
    He knew that his words didn’t count for much, but he hoped Shannon could sense his sincerity. A junkie tended not to have many friends, and he didn’t want to lose the few he managed to hold onto these past few years.
    Shannon gave him a quick pat on the back and stood, leaving him alone with his own thoughts. Weave stared straight ahead, unable to even pray for help or redemption. “You know what I think?” The words floated up from the back of the chapel. Weave spun in his seat, spotting Jacob sitting in the shadows.
    “How long have you been sitting back there?”
    “Long enough,” Jacob answered, moving to Weave’s side until he was hovering over him. “I appreciate the lift here, but I also feel moved to tell you that you need your ass kicked.”
    Weave went from feeling sorry for himself to being pissed off in ten seconds flat. “Anytime you think you got what it takes then bring it on.”
    A small smile touched Jacob’s lips. “See, you’re not quite dead yet.”
    ***
    A hole was ripped through her chest, thousands of tiny fire ants were stinging her skin, and it felt as if a bear was