AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I-it’s the pieces to what used to be my brother’s urn.”
I heard my best friend’s sharp intake of breath. I’d never told her anything about having a brother. Holton was the only one in my new life who knew. And at the very moment, as I looked into my friend’s eyes and saw the flash of pain deep within them, I felt like the worst friend in the world.
“You—you had a brother? I... I had no idea.”
“I’m so sorry,” I whispered, a new tear tracing down my cheek in a hot, salty trail. “I should have told you. I didn’t—”
“No. Hey—” She took my wrists, careful of the broken, jagged pieces in my hands. “Stop that. You don’t need to apologize. You didn’t do anything wrong.”
“I shouldn’t have kept things from you.”
She shook her head vehemently. “You don’t have to tell me or anyone else anything you don’t want to. That’s always been your choice, and no one has any right to judge you for it.”
I didn’t know what the hell I’d done to deserve such a kind and loyal friend, but I hoped I could continue to deserve her.
“You can tell me the story or not, that’s your call, but it’s not going to happen tonight. You’ve been through too much as it is. This can wait for another day. Just know that I love you, and... I’m so sorry for your loss.”
Holton came out of the house, carrying a duffle bag that had somehow survived the mutilation of all my belongings, and Laeth hot-footed it in his direction. The two of them huddled together on my front lawn—or what had once been my front lawn. I was pretty positive my landlord was going to kick me out when he saw the damage. It went without saying that I was going to lose my security deposit and then some.
“So... whoever did this really destroyed everything?”
I nodded. “There’s nothing left.”
“Oh, sweetie.” I fell into her open arms, feeling like the weight of the word was pressing down on me, making it hard to breath. This had truly been the day from hell, and I just wanted it to end. I was so exhausted I could start crying all over again.
However, before I could let out a choked hiccup, Holton came up, tossing the bag he’d been holding in the back of his truck. “Your clothes managed to survive, so I packed you a bag. You ready to go, Little Dove?”
From the corner of my eye, I saw Deva’s chin jerk in surprise at the endearment. “Um, go where?”
“You’re staying with me. Even if your place wasn’t in the state it’s currently in, I don’t think it’s safe for you to be here. So I’m taking you home with me.”
Oh, this wasnotgood. I couldn’t be responsible for what I’d do if I were alone with this man again. As much as I tried not to want him, my body lit up like a slot machine hitting the jackpot. Deva and I shared a panicked look, that friendship ESP working between us. She knew exactly what I was trying to communicate without me having to say a word.
“Oh, that’s not necessary. She can stay with us.” She turned to Laeth, her brows raised. “Right, honey?”
Holton spoke before anyone else could. “It’s already been decided,” he stated with finality in his tone that brooked no argument. Even though that was exactly what I wanted to do, I wanted to ask exactlywhohad decided this and why that asshole had the last say.
“But—”
Laeth circled his arm around Deva’s shoulder, pulling her flush against his side and silencing her objection. “She’ll be safe, Bambi. You don’t need to worry about her. Holt’s got her covered.”
Holton’s expression softened, his eyes growing tender as he looked at me. “Buckle up, baby. Let’s get you out of here.”
I was struck speechless, moving on autopilot and twisting to face the windshield so he could close the passenger door. I held Churro safely against my chest with one arm while I used the other to buckle my seatbelt into place. As Holton circled around the front of his truck, I looked out the window at Deva, lifting my shoulder in a shrug as if to say,well what am I supposed to do now?
A second later, Holton climbed behind the wheel. The truck started with a deep rumble of the engine, and as he shifted gears, he glanced over at me, seeing the shell-shocked expression on my face.
“What are you thinking right now?”
I didn’t know what the hell I was thinking, to be honest, so I said the first thing that came to mind.
“My fries got ruined.”
ChapterSixteen
LYRIC
I woke up slowly,my brain covered in cobwebs thick and sinewy. My limbs felt like they were bogged down in wet cement and the backs of my eyelids were like sandpaper as I slowly blinked my eyes open. For a second, I had no idea where I was or what had happened.
