What happens when a crash takes away everyone he's ever loved? How will he survive on his own? Will he survive? What happens when someone else close to him dies? Will it break him...
I couldn't believe the amount of people that had shown up today. Friends we hadn't seen in years, and family I hadn't met yet. Everyone just wanted the chance to pay their final respects.
I took a deep breath as we walked into the church, stopping just outside the door. I wasn't ready for this. I wasn't sure I could handle it.
I swallowed hard and looked at the other guys. "I can't do this." I said.
Jake shook his head "you can, Ashley." He began, resting a hand against my shoulder.
"I miss him so fucking much" I said, shaking my head as I backed away from the door.
Jinxx frowned and started toward me. "Ashley, you can do this. I promise. You're stronger than you think, and you have us to help you get through this. We're not leaving you, I promise." He said.
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I knew they wouldn't leave me. I knew I wouldn't have to go through this alone. But, that didn't stop me from being scared, more like terrified I wouldn't make it.
All I wanted was to find out this was a nightmare. To wake up wrapped in Andy's arms. Nothing else would even matter at that point.
I felt an arm wrap around my shoulder and I turned to see Matt standing next to me. "Come on, Ash. We got this." He said, nodding his head.
I was still trying to process everything. It was all happening too little too fast for me. I wanted things to slow down a little. But, I knew that wasn't happening.
I had to get through this. I had to be strong. For Matt. For Jake...For Jinxx and CC, but mostly for Andy.
I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes when I saw Andy's mom and dad walk through the door.
They looked horrible. Looked like their world had crashed down around them, oh wait, it had.
"Hey, Ashley" Andy's dad said softly, pulling me into a hug. If there is one thing I can say about his parents, it's they always made me feel like part of the family. Especially when they found out Andy and I were a couple.
His mom grabbed me and squeezed me hard, crying against my shoulder. "He loved you, Ashley. He loved you so much." She said through her tears.
I nodded my head slowly "I loved him too. So damn much." I said, taking a few deep breaths to keep my composure. I didn't want to lose it. Not here. Not now.
I sighed as the director told us to take our seats, they would be starting soon.
We slowly made our way inside the small chapel. My eyes fell on the open casket in the center of the room.
Jake and Matt each took an arm and led me to the front row where we were sitting with his parents.
I stopped them and slowly walked toward the casket. I sniffled, shaking my head "I'm so sorry baby. I'm sorry you had to go through this. I'm sorry I can't be with you anymore. I love you so much. More than I think you ever knew. You were my life, and I don't know how I'm going to make it without you. I honestly don't. I'll never forget you, and I'll never let anyone else. I'll see you again one day..." My voice trailed off as Matt gently tugged me back to my seat, in between him and Jake.
I took a shaky breath and silently thanked Matt, letting my eyes close for a moment. This was really happening. Andy was really gone. And he wasn't coming back.
The preacher Andy's parents had got to preach the funeral stepped up to the front and cleared his throat, before he began speaking.
The service was beautiful. Andy would have been pleased. I couldn't help but look at James though. I knew he was having a hard time with all of this. Especially considering what happened to Danny and the others.
They'd asked us to be the pall bearers, and I was going too.....at least try, but James and Matt said they would take my place. I watched as they stood and slowly made their way to the casket and the preacher shut it one last time.
I was going to break. I could feel it. My knees were shaky and I felt like I was going to lose it at any moment.
I watched as they each took a side, grabbing the casket and my heart broke. Matt brought his hand up to his mouth and kissed it, pressing it against the casket as they began walking out of the chapel.
I grabbed on to the pew in front of me and slowly followed Andy's parents as they walked outside. They'd already loaded Andy....the casket in the back of the hearse and had the door to the limo opened for me and his parents.
I climbed in, and they shut the door behind me. Almost over. I thought to myself. This is almost over.
