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“You don’t want us there at the grave site?”
“If it wasn’t for Athelia, sure, but I’m not putting her through that. Get her something to eat and then get her mind off Kammes.”
I nod. We told her it’d probably be fine if she didn’t show, but she was too worried that someone would think it odd.
“Got it,” I say. “Good luck.”
Wes nods. So far, all he’s had to do is answer some routine questions. He’s more worried about having to deal with annoying extended family than he is the cops.
Cal and I usher Athelia out of the funeral home quietly. She glances behind us, probably looking for Wes, but he’s already heading back to his mom.
“You can talk to him later,ma belle,”I murmur in her ear.
She tries to hide her disappointment by dropping her gaze to the ground, but I notice. I noticeeverythingabout her.
Something’s changed between Athelia and Wes. She’s been more friendly with him, and his glares behind her back have morphed into wistful stares. They’re still not talking much—unless Athelia addresses Wes, and then he’ll say something—but things don’t seem as tense.
Athelia doesn’t say a single word during the car ride home. When I park in front of the house, she doesn’t move to undo her seatbelt.
“Thelia,” I say gently.
When she doesn’t respond, Cal and I exchange a worried glance. I get out of the car and open her door, but she continues fiddling with her necklace and staring into her lap.
“Hey.” I reach over her and undo her seatbelt, which seems to break her out of her thoughts.
Athelia blinks at me slowly, like she’s only half-registering what I’m doing. “I didn’t even realize we’d stopped.”
“I know.” Taking her hand, I help her out of the car. “It’s been a long day.”
Inside, we make a light meal, but Athelia barely touches her sandwich. Cal tries to convince her to eat, but she looks ready to throw up.
“Don’t worry about it,” I say, taking her plate.
With one hand over Athelia’s on the table, Cal turns to watch me. “She needs to eat.”
“She will,” I reply. “When she’s ready. Athelia, go put pants on.”
On a different day, I’m sure she’d protest, but she just gets up and heads for the stairs. It’s not until she’s gone that Cal speaks.
“What’re you doing?”
“Taking her for a ride. I’m hoping it’ll clear her head. Always works for me.” I put her sandwich in a bag and zip it up.
Slowly, he nods. If he’s jealous, he can suck it up.
When Athelia comes downstairs, I’ve grabbed her sandwich and a blanket and put them both in my backpack. She frowns when I pull a small leather jacket out of the coat closet.
“What’s that for?”
“You,” I tell her as I hold it up to help her put it on. “Helps break the wind. Come on.”
Hesitantly, Athelia steps closer and slips her arms into the jacket. I turn her around to face me and zip it up.
I smile. “It’s a perfect fit.”
“You didn’t have to buy me a jacket. I have one.”
Shaking my head, I push her out the front door. “Trust me, you’ll want leather for this.”
