Chapter 7

Gary picked a cozy bistro known for its light, health-conscious fare.

Harley took care of the ordering without even checking to see if I had anything in mind.

"You've got to try this, Ms. Chapman- it's their signature dish," he said eagerly, passing her a plate of lemon herb chicken.

Not once, in all the years I raised him, had he ever offered to share a dish with me like that.

"Not your kind of food?" Gary asked, glancing at me.

He must've forgotten- I've always preferred bolder flavors. Zoey seemed more like the type to go for avocado toast and kale smoothies, so of course this place suited her.

When we were dating, Gary nearly cried once eating buffalo wings that I loved.

Later on, for him and Harley, I slowly stopped ordering spicy food altogether.

On the way back, Zoey slid into the front passenger seat before I could even open my mouth.

"I'm feeling a little carsick after dinner. Mind if I ride up front?"

Before I could answer, Gary was already at the door, helping her in with a soft, "Careful now."

He closed the door gently behind her, then looked back at me. "Come on, get in."

I watched his back for a moment before climbing into the rear seat.

Harley sat beside me, eyes glued to his phone, saying nothing.

Up front, Gary and Zoey were chatting away, laughing over old college memories.

"Oh no, we should have turned left at the last intersection," Zoey exclaimed, pointing at the road.

Gary slowed down. "Really? I didn't notice."

"Bang!" A deafening crash filled my ears, and the world spun violently.

When I regained consciousness, our car had been pushed into the woods.

"Harley," I instinctively reached for him, hearing a faint groan. "Are you hurt? Can you move?"

"My stomach hurts," Harley groaned.

"Can you get your door open? Try to get out first." I smelled gasoline and panicked, afraid the car might catch fire.

The door wouldn't budge, but the window could. I helped Harley climb out through it. "Take it easy. Climb out slowly. You'll be alright."

I reassured Harley while calling out to Gary in the front.

Thankfully, Gary wasn't unconscious and managed to get out.

That left just me and Zoey on the right side.

My right foot was trapped under the front seat, unable to move.

"Kyla," Gary came over, looking helplessly at us.

I looked at him, about to speak, when Zoey whimpered, "Gary, help me. It hurts so much."

Gary rushed over, anxiously tending to Zoey. "Where does it hurt? Don't worry, I'll get you out right away."

He opened the door and lifted Zoey out. As he glanced toward me, he said, "She's hurt. I'll take her out first- just wait a minute, Kyla."

I watched him run toward the road with Zoey in his arms, Harley trailing after them- neither of them so much as glanced back.

I leaned quietly against the seat, tears silently streaming down my face.

I used to think Gary and Harley were the closest people to me in the world. It turned out they weren't.

Gary didn't come back to save me. It was the firefighters who cut through the front seat to get me out.

I watched as Gary and Harley helped Zoey into the ambulance- and at that moment, I gave up for good.