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Chapter 31
Julia
Out of all the people in the entire world, Patrick was the last person I expected to reach out to me. After the massive PR headache I’d caused him and the guys, I figured I was the last person he wanted anything to do with.
Red’s father passed. Thought maybe you should know.
It didn’t seem fair . It felt like the world was picking on us for no other reason than spite. Things had already gone from bad to worse, and now they had officially gone from worse to horrendous.
The funeral was a quiet affair. Nice, respectful. Lots of flowers.
I hung back, dressed in a modest black dress, tights, and some basic flats. I wanted to pay my respects, but I didn’t want to cause a scene.
The other funeral guests were too preoccupied with the burial to pay me any mind, but I stuck to the shade of a large oak tree regardless.
My heart broke when I saw them. Not just Red, who looked defeated in every sense of the word, but Cash and Dylan, too. I wanted to run to them the second I saw them, pull them into my arms and kiss away their worries. But there were far too many people here. They’d all gawk and stare, judging us with their small-town views and God-fearing ways.
I didn’t dare approach until the funeral was over, as the last few guests were paying their respects before leaving. Red accepted their condolences, somber and still, while Cash leaned heavily on his crutches. His knee was braced up, and it looked like he was in a great deal of discomfort just standing.
Dylan looked exhausted, dark circles under his eyes, and he was the one who spotted me. He tapped Red on the arm, tilting his chin in my direction. The way the three of them looked at me made my heart stop.
Relief mixed with joy mixed with longing.
Not to mention a healthy dose of regret.
They walked toward me only after the last few guests had left.
“Hey,” Dylan said. “I didn’t know you were coming.”
“Patrick messaged me,” I explained. “I’m so sorry for your loss.”
Red nodded in response, his lips a tight line.
I swallowed, looking at Cash. “How are you feeling?”
He attempted a smile, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Better now that you’re here.”
I laughed softly. Cash was always good at making me laugh. “I’m really glad to hear it.”
There was a tense, awkward pause. I didn’t know what to say, how to dance around this situation.
“I just wanted to pay my respects,” I said softly. “I should… probably go.”
“So soon?” Red asked. “Stay a bit. We’ll grab a coffee.”
“Not in town,” Cash pointed out. “Too many people, but maybe Dylan’s place?”
My heart skipped a beat. Oh, how I wanted to say yes. All I wanted was to go to them, to hold them in my arms, to pretend like the last couple of weeks hadn’t happened.
I placed my hand on my stomach only to pull it away again. It was an instinctual movement, an unconsciously protective one. I didn’t want to rouse their suspicions, though. It’d only make this visit much more complicated.
“I don’t know if that’s a good idea,” I mumbled, looking around. We were alone for the most part, save for a few people off in the distance attending a different funeral.
“Then why did you come?” Dylan asked. His tone wasn’t harsh, but his words were.
I blinked up at him, surprised. “Like I said, I wanted to pay my respects.”
“Why not do that over the phone?”
