Free Impact by Chrissy Peebles Page B

maybe he’s been able to get on with his plans. Anyway, they’re gone now, and I don’t wanna butt into their lives again. I’ve come to accept the fact that I’m never gonna see them again. I’ve lost a lot of people. You start...getting used to it.”
    “But you said you loved Kyle,” I whispered. “How can you give up on him so easily?”
    “Easy. I just pretend they went off and found a good place, that they’re happier and better off without me. I can’t even fathom that they could be dead. I just can’t...” She sighed heavily. “Gosh, I don’t know. My thoughts are so jumbled. Everything is so crazy, and I just don’t know what to do anymore.”
    “Come with us,” Nick begged again.
    “I’m sorry. I just...can’t,” she said, looking over at Max. “I can’t bear to lose him too.”
    “We’ve given up everything to save your life. Dean put his life on the line to sneak you off that island, and he didn’t even know you. I’ve given you my all and fought for you. You’re our sister, and we love you more than Max or any guy ever will.” 
    “I know what you’ve done for me, the sacrifices you’ve made, and I’ll never be able to thank you two enough. You’re my brothers, and I love you too. I just hope one day you’ll be able to come to terms with all this and understand why I’m making this tough, heartbreaking decision.”
    “I love her, too, Nick,” Max said, butting back into the conversation. “I’ll keep her safe, do everything I can to take care of her. She’ll have a good life here. I promise you that. You have my word.”
    “I appreciate that, because if you don’t stick to your word...” Nick said, then blew out a huff of air and walked away, shaking his head.
    “Look, if you’re gonna stay here, promise that you’ll come to the island if the dead-heads start crossing the perimeter,” Lucas said to Val.
    “If things turn sour here, I can’t promise that I’ll head to the island,” she said, “but I’ll come find a safe place somewhere in Sandusky and make sure you know where I am.”
    “That’s all we’re asking,” he said, hugging her. “Don’t be a stranger.”
    “I won’t. Meanwhile, take good care of Kate. She’s a keeper.” She smiled at him, making it clear that she truly cared about him, in spite of their breakup.
    “C’mon, guys,” Asia said. “It’s not like we’re leaving this very second. Let’s save all the sad goodbyes and plans for later. It’s a party, people!”
    “That’s right, and I’ve got the perfect bottle of wine to open at dinner,” Max said.
    Val blinked. “Which one?”
    “Sauterne, the 1811 Chateau d’Yquem.”
    “What!? Your $117,000 bottle of wine?”
    “Yep, the most supreme vintage ever produced,” he said proudly.
    Val smiled. “But that’s your rarest bottle.”
    His face lit up, and he smiled. “I can think of no better occasion. You’re all alive, we got our town back, it’s your brother’s birthday, and those notes and that serum will be going to the scientists who will make a cure. If that doesn’t deserve a good glass, I don’t know what will.”
    “Maybe...when you put a ring on it, huh?” Lucas said, nudging Max and winking at Val.
    “Hey! I’m no it!” Val said, blushing.
    I tried to laugh along with them, but I didn’t feel very happy or in the mood to celebrate. I had no idea where my brother had stormed off to. He was pissed, and I couldn’t blame him; I was just as heartbroken as Nick was. The thought of leaving Val behind was almost too painful to deal with and left a huge hole in my heart. I’d confided in Nick and Lucas about that very thing, but they had ignored me as if it was the craziest thing they’d ever heard, dismissed it as the know-nothing ramblings of the silly kid brother. All along, I could tell she was getting quite comfortable there, falling for Max and putting down roots.
    Jackie walked up behind me and put an arm around me, sensing how upset and hurt