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I step away from Brantley. “I have a song to play.”
I turn quickly and make my way to the piano that’s on another makeshift stage in the center of the room. Taking a seat on the stool, I flex my fingers over the keys and close my eyes. Breathe in, breathe out. No one stops what they are doing. I appreciate that. I don’t want all eyes on me. I play the first song that comes to mind. An angry storm of emotions and betrayal spray over the keys with every flick of my fingertips. By the time I’m finished, I stand up and rush to the back of the room. I’m tired, my muscles ache, and my mind is in a tailspin. I need sleep. I jog up the stairs at a speed I didn’t know I could wearing heels, rubbing the tears from my cheeks.
Madison rushes over to me once I’m back in the school foyer, out of breath. “There you are. Tillie and I are leaving, you want to come?”
I nod, just as my eyes fly over her shoulder and land on Ophelia and Ivy, who are still down below. “Yes, with Ivy and O.”
Pulling into the long driveway of the manor, I feel all of the past memories crawl up my throat, cutting off my air supply. Goddammit, Brantley. I want to fight him, swear at him, yell at him, but the closer I get to my home, the more I feel myself ease.
“Hey.” Ophelia’s hand is on my knee. Ivy sits opposite us, watching our exchange quietly. “It’s going to be okay. Ivy and I can go back to my parents’ house tomorrow.”
I shake my head, resting my hand on hers. “No, please, you can both stay for as long as you want. I’m just sorry that you got caught in-between all of—” I wave my hands around, “—this, and now with Veronica out with the knowledge she has.” I pause, swallowing past all of the overwhelming emotions that are threatening to choke me. She could be anywhere, waiting and ready to attack. “At least until after we’ve found Veronica, I really want you both to stay here.”
A look passes between them, before Ivy nods, her brown hair brushing against her collarbone. Ophelia gazes up at the manor, one perfectly dark eyebrow raised. “No offense, but this house is scary. You know that, right?”
For the first time since marrying Brantley, I laugh, pushing the door open and climbing out. “I know.” After we left the opening tonight, Tillie and Madison decided to drive their cars here instead of riding with us so that—in their own words—they had a way of escape when the boys got home.
“Can you believe you’re married?” Ophelia hooks her arm in mine and drags me up the stairs as if she owns the house. I’m still smiling when my eyes lock onto the lion door knocker. Everything inside my gut feels empty. Uncomfortable. Unsettled.
I push open the door just as Kore and Hades come crashing down the stairs in a whirl of black and orange.
“Oh my God!” Ophelia screams, jumping back behind the front door and closing it slightly. “Do they bite?” she asks, poking her head through the gap.
I lean down and squeeze both dogs into my arms. “Not really.” I giggle as their tongues slide all over my cheek and neck.
“What do you mean not really?” Ophelia yells. “Saint, honey, I need a yes or a no, and if it’s a no, I’m out.”
There’s laughing behind Ophelia as Tillie pushes the door open. “They don’t bite if you’re with her or Brantley. If not, then your ass is dog meat.”
Ophelia’s silent, so I nudge my head at her from over my shoulder, just as Madison and Tillie make their way farther into the house. I smile at her. “They won’t attack.”
Both Ophelia and Ivy step out from behind the door, closing it slowly. Ivy steps forward and starts scratching Kore behind her ear. Kore rolls over onto her back and exposes her belly while Hades glares at her. He’s never impressed with how easy she rolls on her back for other people.
“So, let’s go hide out in the theatre room and snack out. Sounds like the perfect honeymoon to me,” Madison grumbles, stomping into the kitchen with a deadly frown etched on her face. I stand and swipe my hands down my thighs while Tillie follows behind her.
“I’ll show you to the rooms you can stay in.” Both Ophelia and Ivy follow me up the stairs, with Hades and Kore not far behind. Once I hit the second level, I turn down the opposite wing to mine and Brantley’s room, the guest side—that has never been used except for workers.
“There’s bedding in the cupboards and your own bathrooms.” I push open both doors. “I have a big enough closet for all three of us to live happily for an entire year without going shopping. What’s mine is yours.” They both thank me and I leave them to it as I make my way back downstairs to Madison and Tillie. I’m rounding the corner when Tillie exits the pantry, hands filled with potato chips, peanut butter, Nutella spread, and— “Are those pickles?”
