The Lost Days (Prairie Town Book 3) Read Online Free PDF

innocent in all of this.  He’s the one who’s caused us so much fucking pain.  He hurt my sisters. He got me put in jail.  He tried to con you out of a million bucks, Callum.  Wait...stop pushing me—why are you pushing me?  Callum, stop!”
    Once Jebson was outside and the door closed, Devin relaxed a little.  Well, not as much as he would have liked, but at least his heart calmed down.
    How the hell am I supposed to move on with my life with someone like that around?  He’ll never forgive me.  He’ll never let me forget.
    And it was pretty ironic that he couldn’t even remember any of it.  Would he be able to reconcile with a complete stranger?
    “I’m sorry about him,” Laney said.  She maneuvered around the table and stood before him, her watery eyes darting back and forth between his.  “He hasn’t seen what I’ve seen, Devin.  None of them have heard you as I have.  It was really difficult for Lydia to come here tonight because of the history she has with you.  To be honest,”—she sighed—“you weren’t a very good boyfriend in the end.  You frightened me.  That night...the night you and Mia kidnapped me and Benji, well, that’s the single most terrifying thing I’ve ever experienced.”
    “I’m sorry,” he sobbed.  “I’m so sorry, Laney.  I-I can’t take that back.  I can’t make it right.  I don’t know what to do...”
    “I’ll tell you what to do,” Lydia spoke softly.
    He whirled around and there she was, peering up at him with eyes similar to Laney’s.  Her mascara ran down her cheeks, but she still managed to look lovely.
    How did I ever hurt her?  How did I ever hurt any of them?  Who was I?
    “You’re going to get out of here and you’re going to start over, Devin.  You’re going to be kind to people.  Treat others as you want to be treated, okay?”
    All he could do was nod.  His chin quivered uncontrollably as he sniffled again, and damn did it hurt.
    “Just be a good person.  I can see it now—I didn’t believe Laney at first, but now I can see it.  You can start over.  You’ve been given a second chance and I’d hate to see it go to waste.  Just be kind.  Please?”
    “Yes, ma’am.” He struggled to say, nodding once more.  “I’ll be sure to do that, I swear.”
    “Good. That’s all I’m asking for.” She thrust her hand forward and he hesitantly grabbed it, shaking it as gently as he could.  “I forgive you for those days back then, Devin.  The mean person I used to see when I looked in your eyes is gone.  Don’t ever let him come back.”
    “I won’t,” he promised.  “I won’t let him come back, Lydia. T-thank you.”
    “You’re welcome, Devin.  Just take care of yourself.  I can’t even begin to imagine what you’re going through.”  She patted his hand and released it, joining her brother and Callum outside the room.
    He was left with Laney, Benji, and Kelly.  Though his heart felt like it was about to jump out of his mouth, he forced a nervous smile and tried to wipe away more blood as he turned to gaze at them.
    “Well, I suppose that went exactly as you expected it?” He rubbed the tissue over his mouth and frowned from the copper taste on his tongue.  Blood tasted disgusting.
    “A little,” Laney admitted.  “I’m really sorry about that.”
    “Jeb is usually a really nice guy,” Benji chimed in, wrapping his arm around Laney’s shoulders.  “But you really rattled his cage a lot.  The stories I’ve heard,”—he whistled—“not exactly fond memories for him.”
    “Or Lydia,” Kelly added.
    Hearing her sweet voice caused his heart to flutter and Devin prayed—he prayed —he’d never done anything to her.
    But it wouldn’t exactly be surprising.  Apparently he was horrible to everyone.
    “I am ashamed.” His head dropped and his heart plummeted into his stomach with a sickening splash.  He felt nauseous as he swallowed a few times and released a soft breath.  “I