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Overwhelmed with emotion, I start to question if this was actually a good idea. But as much as it hurts, and it does, like a fucking bitch, I need to feel it. He deserves this.
I take Emily’s hand in mine and we join the four of them, but the second we come to a stop, she rips her hand away and darts to the left, confusing everyone until she spins around with two freshly plucked flowers in her hand. Tears glide down her cheeks as she offers me one, and I offer her a wobbly smile back in response as Ryker clears his throat.
“We lost a good man in Duffer, a loyal friend to the very end. He was a carefree guy that wanted to belong, and he did. To Scarlett, to Emily, to us, he was the member you always search for, a diamond in the rough, and he’ll forever be remembered.”
I frown, fully aware that Duffer wasn’t a member but a prospect. When I turn my attention to Ryker, I find him holding up a patch, a member's patch, and my heart breaks as a sob parts my lips. He lifts the emblem to his lips for the briefest of seconds before dropping it into the hole, and my heart soars.
I know I’ve only spoken with Axel about all of this, but that doesn’t mean the others haven’t been on hand to wordlessly help. Without thanks, without validation, they’ve just been there. Like a club, like a family, just as I needed, and just as Duffer deserved.
Lifting the flower to my nose, I inhale its scent, committing it to memory before murmuring my goodbye and adding it to the hole. I move to wrap my arms around myself as Gray drapes his arm over my shoulder and pulls me into his side.
Emily follows the same motion, and Emmett is there to catch her as her legs threaten to give out. The four of us watch in silence as Axel and Ryker start the tiring task of adding the soil.
My body thrums with pain and love all at once, so much so that I’m sure it could kill me. But it doesn’t; it just adds another layer to my armor, another purpose to my step, and another breath to my lungs.
Emily was right, families who slay together, stay together, and I’ve found mine.
SIX
Scarlett
I’m notsurprised to see Emily’s sleeping face beside me this morning. I remember her being there from last night. I could tell the guys wanted to battle it out among themselves where I slept, but one look at her face and I knew where I needed to be.
She passed out quicker than I expected, which was a relief. This is hard as hell on me, but she spent a lot more time with him than I did, especially this past year, and after just losing her father too, it’s wiping her out.
He’s been laid to rest. It makes my heart ache and my soul feel warm all at once. Today is a new day, and all I can hope is that it doesn’t consume me when I slink from the bed.
Slipping from under the sheets as quietly as I can, I startle when I find a sleeping form against my bedroom door. My chest clenches, not with fear or annoyance, but with… happiness? Fuck, I don’t know.
“Morning,” he rasps, blinking his eyes open.
When I first arrived here, if I found Axel in my room unannounced, I would have assumed I was about to meet my maker. Over the past two weeks, it would have felt like he needed me, his pain and triggers getting the better of him, but this morning, it almost feels romantic.
“What are you doing in here?” I whisper, moving toward him but still keeping enough distance between us. Not as much as usual, but I’m also not pushing him against his will.
“Declan,” he grunts, and it takes a second for me to piece it together. He’s sitting here because of that fucker catching me outside yesterday.
Yup. Definitely romantic.
Crouching down in front of him, I quirk a brow. “I could have handled him.”
He smirks, sweeping a hand over his face as he sits straighter. “I know. This was more for my peace of mind than anything else,” he admits.
A swarm of butterflies takes flight in my stomach at his confession. “I’m sorry I’m adding more bullshit to your plate when you’ve already got enough to handle,” I murmur, feeling odd being at someone else’s mercy. But he quickly shakes his head dismissively.
“This is nothing.”
His eyes darken and his jaw clenches, making me squint at him. “Why do I get the feeling there’s a lot more to that statement I don’t know about?”
“Because you’re smart, Reaper,” he breathes, a ghost of a smile on his lips, and my legs nearly give out.
I’m a sucker for his nickname for me, even though it reminds me of my past, and I don’t know why. I can feel my cheeks heat, but if he notices, he doesn’t say a word. I want him to expand on what he means, but a giggle sounds from behind me.
“Are you two fucking? I’m scared to open my eyes.” Emily chuckles again, making me laugh. Axel grins from ear to ear.
“She wishes,” he replies, winking at me as he slowly stands.
I gape at him from my crouched position, and his eyes darken even further, but this time, it’s with a level of heat and hunger I’ve never seen there before.
