Song- Hear You Me, Jimmy Eat World.
The gears on the pulleys scream through the misty air as the casket lowers.
It’s almost like Kai is nagging me one last time before he disappears into his grave.
Fuck, I’m going to miss him.
Grayson gives me a slow pat on my shoulder and a sympathetic look before he walks past with a teary Maddie huddling into his side.
Frankie gives me a small nod before taking Zara’s hand and following the rest.
Everyone is in black. They fade into a haze as I stare at the gaping hole in the ground.
Of all the people to go, why Kai?
My first and only friend. He found me as a lonely kid and showed me that there was more to life than the empty halls of my father’s estate.
I couldn’t have made it past my dad’s death without Kai. He kept me company every time my dad left on business. After Dad died on one of those trips, Kai was the one who pulled me away from the grief to find a new sense of belonging as a boxer.
Channeling the rage and loss into my fists, it opened up all the opportunities I never knew I wanted.
A new life, a new group of people that accepted me as one of theirs. Like a family.
But it still feels hollow without Kai.
I wish he was here. He’d love this adventure I’m starting.
All the girls in Vegas are waiting for me.
The lights of the Strip will never hit the same without him.
Clicking my tongue piercing against my teeth, I step forward and stare down at the top of his coffin.
His last place.
My best friend.
“It hurts so fucking bad, Kai. I don’t want to leave you here.” My knees land in the soft mud, soaking through my pants.
The heavy mist darkens into rain, just like my mood.
I’ve held his motorcycle helmet throughout the entire funeral. It’s a piece of him.
The scratches have dulled on it from the time we were barely eighteen. I had just gotten the news about my dad, and Kai made me leave.
Shit, we found so much trouble that day. Going to the biker bar and finding the two hottest girls in there pissed off their boyfriends.
He used his helmet to beat down the biggest motherfucker, who was trying to use me like a punching bag.
I trace the long gouge on the side that still shows where the asshole gang member hit it with his fist full of rings.
Better than my face.
Water mixes with my tears to drip off my nose and chin.
With blurry vision, I toss down his black helmet.
It lands near the end of the mahogany box, right where his head rests beneath.
Pretty sure I just dropped my last give a shit down there with it.
I thought that when we killed Romano, this wouldn’t rip me apart so bad.
But it does.
I can’t bring him back.
The cold rain soaks through my suit and sends a shiver through my body.
Goddamnit, when did it get dark?
A clanging sound draws my attention to see two men folding the chairs and rolling up the fake grass ground cover.
It’s time.
“See you on the other side, Kai. I hope I make you proud.”
