AllFreeNovel
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We rarely gotsnow when I lived in Washington.
Rain, yes. A ton of rain.
But snow, no.
They’ve been calling for it all week. Thundersnow, the weatherman said this morning on the news. We could see a foot of it by the time this storm is over tomorrow. When Marco picked me up this morning from Sam’s father’s house, the powdery white snow looked beautiful as it fell from the sky. Peaceful. Pure. Now, a few hours later, I curse myself for wearing black heels instead of snow boots as I get behind the wheel of my car. The funeral is being held at The Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, and I told Belle and Declan I’d meet them there. They wanted to pick me up, but I stopped into the shop this morning and have been running late ever since. We’re all meeting in front of the church, and when I finally see them, it looks like I’m the last to arrive.
Everyone’s here. Belle and Declan. All of Bash’s roommates. Even Declan and Nattie’s brother, Cooper, flew in from California to be here. These are the people who’ve taught me that family isn’t blood. Sure, some of these people are related, but all of them consider each other family. Everyone but me.
Apparently, I’m not the only outsider joining the tight-knit group of Sinclairs and their extended family today though. Because Eleanor Kingston and her little brother—the one who stopped into my shop twice this week, I’m guessing so he could get a glimpse into who I am—are both standing next to Nattie and Brady when I finally make my way over to them at the bottom of the stairs. I have no idea if the brother found what he was looking for, but he’s looking at me now like he’s busted. My thoughts are sidetracked when Cooper Sinclair, Nattie’s twin brother who must have gotten leave from the Navy SEALs, blocks my view when he picks me up in a big bear hug. “Cooper, put me down!”
Annabelle smacks the back of his head. “Don’t hurt my friend, Coop.”
“Put her down before you drop her, Coop,” Declan tells him in a way only an older brother could.
When he gingerly places me back on my feet and holds my arms to steady me, I hear Sebastian’s best friend, Murphy, laugh. “I’d back away now, Coop. Sam looks pissed.” The ginger giant is looking over my shoulder.
Sure enough, when I look up the cathedral stairs and see Bash and Sam standing there at the top, Sam looks furious. I’m not sure if his anger is directed at Cooper or me, but regardless, he’s not happy. Their uncle Nick rests a hand on each of their shoulders, and the two men turn and enter the church, leaving me feeling empty and useless and wishing so badly I could be by his side today.
Belle must sense my frustration because she slips her fingers through mine and holds my hand like I imagine a sister would. “You doing okay, Amelia?”
My eyes dance over Eleanor, who’s standing with her brother, and I wonder briefly if I could find a friendship like this with her. Does she love Sebastian? Will we be connected because of these brothers? Or if I choose to, will we be connected because we share the same blood?
Knowing I’m not going to find the answer out here in the snow, I squeeze Belle’s hand back. “Yeah. I’ll be okay. It’s freezing. Are you ready to go inside?”
Declan moves next to his pregnant wife and wraps an arm protectively around her waist. “Be careful on the steps, Belles. They look slippery.”
She kisses his cheek and turns back to me. “You ready?”
“Now or never.”
We end up waiting in line to pay our respects for what feels like forever. The line wraps around the church and moves so slowly, I have plenty of time to watch the girl from the other night who’s standing with Sam and Bash. She’s pretty. Her dark hair hangs down past her shoulders. Her makeup is done perfectly, hiding any hint of the bruise that was forming on her cheek last night. She has no problem talking to either brother, and I’ve watched her touch both of them without care. Not intimately, but there’s a comfort there between the three of them that I’m guessing comes from years of knowing each other and living in the same world. It leaves me a little jealous.
Although I hate to admit it.
I hear Murphy ask Brady why Train Wreck is up there with Sam and Bash.
She looks more like a broken Barbie than a train wreck to me.
As we move along the line, the church continues to fill, and I can’t help but wonder how many of these people actually knew Sam’s dad. How many knew him as a friend. As a family member. Not as a mob boss.
How many people will be able to say that about Sam one day?
Me. Bash. Dean.
Will anyone else be able to say they truly knew him?
Just as that thought begins to upset me, I see the girl next to Sam rest her hand on his forearm and smile. It’s small and borders on intimate.
I immediately want to claw her eyes out.
I know it’s irrational. I just don’t really care.
When we finally make it to the front of the line, I kneel at the closed coffin and say a prayer before rising to face Sam, Bash, and broken Barbie. Sam must recognize the annoyance on my face because he smiles a knowing smile and reaches for me. But the point in not coming with him today was to keep our distance, so I bypass him, accidentally step on broken Barbie’s high-heeled foot, and let Bash wrap me up in a big hug.
“Feeling feisty today, Amelia?” Bash whispers in my ear. “Don’t shoot her. It’s not worth it.”
“Ha ha. Very funny. You okay, Sebastian?”
