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I don’t have the energy to deal with her right now, so I shove my pillow over my head instead. “What do you want?”
She pulls my pillow away, then lays her head down on it next to me with a soft smile. “How are you?”
I’m not at all sure how to answer that.
“He hates me, D.” The words are like acid burning my throat as I force them out. “And the thing is, I can’t even blame him.” I turn my head toward her. “My eyes are dry from lack of sleep, and I’m probably dehydrated from the number of tears I’ve shed. He threw me out of his room, and I ended up spending the week in the waiting room, hoping he’d change his mind. Which, side note, he didn’t. So basically, I’m batting a thousand.”
She links her pinky with mine, the way we’ve done since we were little kids, but it no longer comforts me like it used to.Adulting sucks. “So, what are we going to do about it?”
“I’m not sure.” I close my eyes, dreading the next thing I have to do. “First, I have to fly to California. I need to be there for Emerson.” A fresh wave of sorrow washes over me. “The services for Linc are next week. Jessie said Em moved back in with Jack and Theo for the time being, so I’m going to stay with them for a few weeks.” A tear trickles down my face, and I rest my head against D’s.
She rubs her thumb over my cheek, wiping away my tears. “Okay. How aboutyouget a shower, andImake the coffee? And then, we’ll come up with a plan.” She cocks an eyebrow and waits me out, knowing she’s going to get her way.
“Fine.” I sit up and glare. “But I want tea, not coffee. And you better have brought some Sweet Temptations muffins with you.”
She shoves my shoulder as she stands from the bed. “Nope. No muffins. But I did better. I brought cupcakes.”
“Vanilla bean?”
She glares. “Of course I got vanilla bean for your boring, skinny ass. Now stop stalling and tell me I’m the best bestie ever.”
“I love you, D.” I look at my best friend... really look at her. It wasn’t too long ago that I was draggingherout of bed, and now she’s got everything she’s ever wanted.
The only thing I want is half a world away.
“You’re going to get through this, C. And we’ll be holding your hand every step of the way.”
* * *
By dinnertime, I’m more grateful than I’ve ever been for my tribe. I’m showered, dressed, and booked on the red-eye back to San Diego later tonight. I’m not sure I’d have accomplished any of it without them.
“Carys, don’t you own any black?” Daphne walks out of my closet, holding a navy-blue shirt. “This could work for a funeral.”
Chloe rolls her eyes at Daphne. “You realize that’s a shirt, right?” She hands me a pair of black patent-leather Mary Jane heels to add to my suitcase before she steps out of the room.
“What?” Daphne holds up the shirt and shrugs when it only grazes the tops of her thighs. “Whatever. You’re shorter than me. Make it work.” She shoves the hanger at me, and I throw the shirt down on the bed. “Do you know how long you’re staying in San Diego?”
I shake my head. “Emerson’s due in a few weeks. I think I’m at least staying until the baby’s born. From what Jessie’s told me, she’s not doing well. And she hasn’t returned any of my calls. I’m worried about her and want to be there as long as she needs me.”
A charcoal-gray dress is shoved into my hands when Chloe walks back in. “Here. This should fit you.”
There’s a knock downstairs at the front door before it cracks open, and a voice carries up to us. “Chloe... where are you?” Nattie calls out.
My eyes fly to Chloe in shock. I assumed Nattie would be back in Maryland with Brady.
“Up here, Nat.” Chloe mouths the wordSorryto me before Nattie makes it up the stairs. I understand why she apologized when Nattie stops at the threshold of the room and her eyes lock with mine.
Anger and hurt war with each other in those blue eyes that are identical to Cooper’s, and I brace myself. Not sure if I can take any more hits.
She takes in the dress in my hands, then scans the room. “Where are you going?” Her tone is snarky at best and cruel at worst.
“Nat,” Chloe starts, but I step forward instead, effectively cutting her off.
“Say it, Nat. Say whatever you’ve got to say.” I remind myself that she’s my stepsister... Cooper’s twin, who we lied to for months. And she found out in the most horrific way imaginable.
But I will not be anyone’s punching bag, not today, when I’m beating myself up already.
She takes a shaky step next to me and stares before she sniffs, and her entire body shakes. “Have you talked to him? He won’t answer my calls.”
