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Laura and Sophia rushed to him and I waited because I didn’t think it was my place to comfort him right now, but Laura looked up, twitching her head, telling me exactly where I needed to be, which was with them all.
Two hours later, Charlotte Walters died peacefully in her sleep with her children all around her.
And although I knew it wouldn’t help the pain he was feeling right now, I was so glad that the last conversation Archer had with his mum was her telling him she loved him and was proud of him.
Chapter 13
Archer
Iwasn’tsurehowI’d gotten home, but here I was sitting on the sofa, my sisters on either side of me, curled into me like when they were little and I’d read them bedtime stories.
It was strange grieving for someone I’d lost so long ago, and I wasn’t sure how I should feel; happy that her suffering was over or sad because my mum, who’d barely remembered who I was for the last twelve years, was physically gone from the world.
Charlie and Fox had turned up at the house as soon as Ionee called them with the news. They knew they couldn’t really do much to help, but having them here was enough. I heard the doorbell buzz and Ionee must have answered it because she appeared in the doorway. “Arch, there’s a Maverick here to see you. Is it okay for me to let him in?”
I almost laughed that she didn’t know who he was—Mav was bass guitarist for the Cosmic Gods, one of the biggest bands in the world, and part owner of the record label we were signed to. So, in reality, my boss.
Mav appeared in the doorway moments later, pushing his fingers through his white-blond hair before he pointed to the coffee table in front of me. I nodded, and he took a seat, pressing his hand to my thigh.
“Come and get a drink, girls,” Ionee suggested, and my sisters took the hint, leaving us alone.
“Archer, I was nearby and Fox told me the news. I just wanted to see how you are.”
I let out a hollow laugh. “I wish I knew.”
“It’s a lot. No matter how ill she was, she was still your mum. You need to time to process it.”
“I’m fine. I’ll be in the studio on Monday like we planned.”
Mav frowned. “No, you won’t. I want you to take a couple of weeks, at least. Arrange her funeral. Get drunk. Fall apart. Sleep. But no band stuff. And if you need longer, I want you to be honest and let us know. Your mental health is the most important thing to us. You know that, right?”
I straightened up, masking the emotion from my face. “I’m fine,” I spat out. Hating how weak and pathetic I felt. “I just need to get back to normal life. The studio… the band. They can help me do that.”
“No, they can help you hide and distract you. Trust me, Archer, that won’t help and it will come back to bite you on the ass.”
“Not to be rude, Mav, but you have no idea what I need.”
He chuckled, shaking his head. “Archer, look at me and the rest of the Gods. Look what we’ve been through over the years… Tanner’s addictions and overdoses, Gray trying to take his own life, Frankie’s breakdown after she got shot. Even I ran to the other side of the world rather than face my problems. I won’t let you avoid dealing with how you feel and having you go through something like that. If you need help, someone to talk to, I can help you find someone, but don’t bottle it up. You’re such a talented kid; I’d hate for your grief to swallow you up.”
I didn’t realize I was crying until tears began dripping onto my jeans, darkening the denim.
“Look, I don’t want to interrupt your time with your family, because I’m sure you all have lots to talk about, but we’re here, Archer. Addi and I… the rest of the label, we can’t take your pain away, but we will do anything you need to protect you and support you through it. ‘Kay?”
“Thanks,” I mumbled.
Ionee appeared in the doorways, coughing softly. “Can I get you anything, Maverick?”
“No, I’m just going to say hi to Fox and Charlie, and I’d best get back to the wife.”
“I think I should apologize,” she said as he stood. “Apparently, I should know who you are.”
Mav nudged Nee playfully as he passed her. “I like that you have no idea who I am. Look after my boy, will you?”
“I will,” she promised, as she offered me a sad smile.
Later, after we’d discussed funeral arrangements, agreeing that Mum would prefer a simple cremation, and tried to eat the dinner Ionee cooked for us, I was alone in the kitchen as Nee showed the boys and my sisters to the cars waiting outside for them. As I stood looking out of the bi-fold doors into the inky night, a hand pressed against the small of my back.
I didn’t move, as she slipped her arms around my waist, leaning her cheek against my back. “How you holding up?” she whispered.
