Chapter 2 of The Last One at the Wedding delves deeper into the protagonist’s struggle as he attempts to push forward with his job as a UPS driver while carrying the weight of recent personal loss. Despite receiving condolences from his supervisor, he forces himself to continue his shift, believing that staying occupied will help keep his thoughts from spiraling. However, the region is experiencing an extreme heatwave, with record-breaking temperatures prompting officials to issue public health warnings. News reports caution residents against prolonged outdoor activity, advising frequent hydration and rest. Still, the protagonist ignores these advisories, dismissing the growing heat as just another obstacle in his already overwhelming day. Unlike his usual preparation, he neglects to bring extra water or cooling snacks, relying instead on a rushed breakfast and a standard lunch packed without much thought. The sun hangs high in the sky, its unforgiving rays beating down as he steps outside, but he tightens his grip on the day’s responsibilities, determined to keep moving.

Arriving at the UPS facility, he notices the unusually somber expressions of his colleagues, many of whom are already sweating before their shifts begin. The lack of air conditioning in the loading area intensifies the discomfort, and management attempts to ease the situation by distributing extra water bottles and sun hats. Even with these precautions, the oppressive heat turns the warehouse into a sweltering oven, draining energy from the workers before they even step into their trucks. When he receives his assigned route, frustration sets in—his list is packed with heavy deliveries, including multiple air conditioners, cases of bottled water, and large bags of dog food, items customers have ordered to combat the relentless summer weather. The irony is not lost on him as he loads the cumbersome packages into his truck, already feeling the strain in his arms and legs. As he starts his route, the heat becomes suffocating, his shirt sticking to his back, and every movement requiring more effort than usual. With over a hundred stops still ahead of him, he fights off the urge to rest, unwilling to appear weak or incapable.

As the hours drag on, the physical toll of the heat and the weight of his thoughts become unbearable. He finds himself preoccupied with worries about his daughter, Maggie, struggling to imagine how she will navigate life after Aidan’s death. His mind drifts between painful memories and unspoken concerns, making it difficult to focus. This distraction leads him to miss a critical turn, forcing him to double back, adding unnecessary miles to his already exhausting day. His body aches, and his breathing grows labored, the signs of heat exhaustion becoming harder to ignore. The familiar landscape around him begins to blur, the edges of buildings and trees shimmering under the relentless sun. He wipes sweat from his brow and presses forward, telling himself he just needs to get through the next few deliveries. At one point, he pulls into a McDonald’s parking lot, hoping that sitting in the air-conditioned space for a few minutes will be enough to restore his energy, though he knows it’s only a temporary fix.

Back on the road, he feels himself fading, his hands gripping the steering wheel with increasing difficulty. His vision wavers slightly, but he forces himself to concentrate. Up ahead, a vehicle sits idly on the side of the road, its hazard lights flashing. Two figures, Dawn Taggart and Aidan Gardner, are hunched over near a flat tire, their silhouettes hazy in the shimmering heat. Recognition sparks in his mind, but his sluggish thoughts fail to process the moment in time. His focus drifts for a fraction of a second—just long enough to send his truck careening off course. The sudden jolt snaps him back to reality, but it’s too late. The wheels slip over the edge of the pavement, and before he can react, the truck plunges into a steep ravine.

Panic surges through his body as gravity pulls the vehicle downward, packages flying through the cab as he struggles to regain control. His breath catches in his throat, and time seems to slow as the world tilts violently around him. Dust and debris swirl in the air, the violent motion of the crash throwing him against the seatbelt. The sound of metal crunching and glass shattering fills his ears, each impact sending another wave of force through the vehicle. For a fleeting moment, his thoughts shift to Maggie, to Abigail, to the people he still has left in his life. As the final impact looms, he tightens his grip on the wheel, bracing for whatever comes next, hoping that somehow, he will make it out of this alive.