The Penalty: An Age Gap Romance (The Tortured Hearts Series) by D.C. Kile

Author:D.C. Kile [Kile, D.C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-11-08T00:00:00+00:00

TWENTY-ONE

MCKENZIE

I’ve never felt a pain like this before.

When Matthew called to tell me our father was gone, I was hoping it was some sick joke. When I hung up, I felt my heart crack in two as I fell to the ground. My dad had a heart attack while driving home and crashed his truck into a light pole. He was gone before the paramedics got to him.

He was so young.

He had so much life to live.

It doesn’t make sense.

I don’t remember much after Matty’s call. I know Kylie held me and rocked me on the floor as I screamed and cried. I remember Tyler’s panicked face, his fingers cupping my cheek, trying to figure out what happened.

He carried me up to my room and left only once Kylie got in bed to hold me. The next day, I emailed all of my professors to explain that I would be out for several days, and I made the drive home to Aurora.

I told Kylie I was leaving so she wouldn’t worry, but Tyler had already left for work by the time I finally dragged myself out of bed. I didn’t tell him goodbye, but I’m sure Kylie will fill him in on the details.

The numbness overwhelms me on my drive back to my hometown. My face is swollen from crying all night, and I’m still expecting someone to call me and tell me they were wrong and my dad is actually safe and sound. That this was all one big misunderstanding.

That call never comes.

In the early afternoon, I pull into the driveway of my childhood home. All of my brother’s vehicles are here. It’s been a while since all of us have been back together, and I hate that it’s for this reason.

The tears start up again before I’ve even opened the front door. My mom and brothers are sitting at the kitchen table, the same table we all used to gather around for breakfast and dinner every day.

“Kenz,” my brother Oliver says. His voice sounds hoarse, and I can tell by their faces that they’ve all been crying.

My mom is the first to stand. She walks toward me and wraps me in a hug. Then, my brothers all follow suit until all six of us are squished in a hug. All we’re missing is our protector.

When we finally pull away from each other, Matt gives me the rundown of what will happen next. Funeral details and all that. He and Chris are handling everything so Mom doesn’t have to. I’m grateful for that. Mom looks like she’s barely hanging on. I can’t imagine losing the love of my life. My parents have been married for over thirty years and were best friends.

Over dinner, we all reminisce about our memories of Dad. We laugh and cry. It hurts like hell to talk about him, knowing we’ll never see him again. Never get to hear his laugh or get one of his hugs again.

It feels so unfair.

By the time we head to bed, I’m exhausted.

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