Chapter 273: Let Me Do Something Right Tonight [Ian’s POV]

I stood in front of June’s door feeling like an idiot.

Not the confident kind of idiot I could laugh off in public. This was the overthinking, nervous idiot who had rehearsed the same apology a hundred times in the car, and still couldn’t predict if the words would even come out right.

My fist hovered in the air, but I didn’t knock yet.

My heart was beating way harder than it should have been.

Which was ridiculous.

I had argued with lecturers in school, negotiated with men twice my age, stood in front of reporters fishing for scandals and handled them just fine.

But knocking on June’s door terrified me.

Because this time... I might actually lose her.

I dragged a hand through my hair and let out a slow breath, staring at the peeling paint on her door like it might give me courage.

Tonight I fix this.

Before I could overthink it again, I knocked.

A few seconds passed, then her voice came from inside.

"Coming!"

Right on time, I straightened my shirt and ran a hand through my hair again, wiping my palms on my jeans.

God.

I sounded pathetic even inside my own head.

Her footsteps approached.

Each step made my chest tighten more.

Then the door opened.

And everything I had planned to say disappeared.

Because the first thing I noticed wasn’t the surprise on her face.

It was how tired she looked.

Her hair was twisted into a messy knot like she had tied it quickly without looking. A few loose strands clung to her damp cheeks. Her glasses were slightly fogged, like she had been standing over steam.

She looked exhausted.

And just like that, all the anger I had been carrying around for days softened.

God. I’m so gone for this girl it’s not even funny anymore.

I scratched the back of my neck awkwardly.

"Hey."

She blinked at me.

"Ian." Her voice was flat. "It’s you."

She didn’t smile.

She used to smile every time she saw me.

That smile had quickly become my favorite thing in the world.

Now she looked like I was the last problem she needed tonight.

"June," I said quietly. "We need to talk."

She exhaled, wiped her hands against the apron tied around her waist, avoiding my eyes. "I’m... not really chanced tonight. Please. Let’s talk later."

Later? Later could mean tomorrow, next week, never. Later means she’ll avoid me. And after everything, I couldn’t walk away again without fixing it tonight.

"Why?" I asked softly. "Is there a..."

A violent cough suddenly echoed from inside the house.

June stiffened immediately. "Ian, my dad’s really sick...."

Another cough cut her off. It sounded painful.

Her head snapped toward the room. "Yes Dad! I’m coming!" she called quickly.

Then she turned and ran.

The door swung behind her.

I just stood there, then instinct took over.

I pushed the door open and stepped inside, and immediately stopped.

I had never been inside June’s house before.

I don’t know what I expected.

But it wasn’t this.

The couch was old, the fabric worn thin and faded. A bucket sat near the corner of the room.

Water leaked slowly from a crack in the ceiling.

Then my eyes landed on the other couch.

A man was seated calmly. He looked frail.

His shoulders were thin beneath the blanket wrapped around him, his face pale and damp with sweat.

Her dad?

Something in my chest tightened painfully.

June rushed to his side and knelt beside him.

"Dad," she murmured softly. Her hand pressed against his forehead. Her face instantly filled with worry. "You’re burning up."

She stood quickly. "I’ll go get the drugs."

I watched her move around the room nervously.

"I didn’t invite you in, Ian." Her voice cut through my thoughts.

"I know," I said quietly.

She grabbed a cup of water and helped her father sit up gently. "Slowly, Dad."

The man coughed weakly before his eyes drifted toward me. "Who is...?"

"He’s nobody," June said immediately. "Dad, don’t worry about that right now."

Nobody.. I deserved it.

I stood there feeling useless while she managed everything....checking his temperature, fixing his blanket, helping him drink water.

Meanwhile I’d spent the last few days drowning in my own anger, making her life harder.

She began untying her apron and grabbing her bag.

"You can’t leave him alone like this," I said gently.

She turned toward me immediately. "I’ve been doing it alone, Ian."

"And that’s exactly why I want to help." I cleared my throat.

She frowned slightly.

"I can go get the drugs," I continued. "You stay here with him."

"No..."

"June."

My voice softened. "Please."

She looked at me like she was searching my face for something.

Trust maybe.

"Let me do something right tonight," I said quietly.

Her expression shifted slightly.

For a moment she looked like she wanted to argue again. Then her shoulders sagged.

"He has a fever," she said softly.

"I figured."

"The pharmacy down the street should have drugs."

I nodded immediately. "I’ll find it."

Then she gave a small nod. "Thank you."

My chest tightened.

It was the first soft thing she’d said to me all night.

I turned to leave quickly before she could change her mind.

But just as I reached the door.....I stopped and back at her.

She was kneeling beside her father again, adjusting the blanket around his shoulders.

Her hair had fallen loose from the tie.

God.

I love this girl. Not just the way she laughs, or just the way she argues with me.

But this.

Her strength, her heart, the quiet way she carries the world on her shoulders.

And suddenly the thought of losing her felt unbearable.

I opened the door.

"I’ll be right back," I said.

June didn’t look up, but she nodded.

I walked out to my car with one promise repeating in my head.

Tonight, I fix this.

Whatever it takes.

Because walking away from June Halloway... was never an option.