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We don’t argue.
None of us do.
We walk over to Hudson’s in silence.
Processing a night that never should have happened.
A night I’m so fucking grateful we’re all walking away from.
Even if its scars are bound to follow us for years.
ASHLYN
“Should we be worried about that?” Brandon asks me and jerks his head toward the couch where Lindy has finally fallen asleep with her head on Easton’s shoulder. Jace sits next to her, watching her like a hawk, but it’s Easton she clings to.
Maddie splashes a shot of whiskey in my cup of tea, then adds a heavy pour to Brandon’s glass. “Don’t worry about it,” she tells him. “If Lindy’s getting the comfort she needs, let her stay there.”
“I agree.” I don’t think we’ve even begun to scratch the surface on all the effects we’re going to experience from tonight.
Sawyer’s wife, Wren, dipped into her medical bag for a light sedative and gave it to Lindy after she checked her out. She gave me one too, but I’m not ready to take it yet.
Not long after we got here, the family started arriving. Not everyone, thankfully, but Madeline’s siblings are all wrecked at what could have been lost tonight. Jace hasn’t left her side since. The two babies of the family have always had a special bond.
He eyes Easton every few minutes, but his sister is comfortable, and that’s all that matters to any of us.
When the door opens again, Becket and Juliette finally walk through the door, and I push out of Brandon’s lap. “What did the police say?”
Brandon moves behind me and slides his arm around my waist, not leaving any space between us. I wrap my arm around his, needing this comfort as much as he does. Maybe more.
“Henry Bolger is going to live. That means Brandon won’t be charged with anything. Considering your security cameras got the entire thing on tape, there’s very little question as to what happened.”
Juliette laces her fingers with mine. “I’d recommend not watching it. I did, and it’s brutal.” She looks over at Easton, then back to Brandon. “You two are so stupid and so brave. We could have lost all of you.”
“But we didn’t. They’re all okay, Jules.” Lenny holds Juliette’s other hand and squeezes.
Becket clears his throat. “They had a team go through Henry’s apartment and have already confirmed he was obsessed with you, Ashlyn. He had skating memorabilia, among other things. An entire wall covered in your pictures. Who knows what else they’ll find as they keep digging?”
I shiver and lay my hand over Brandon’s racing heart.
He killed Nina and Marco.
Because of me.
“So what now?” Brandon asks, and everyone in the room holds their collective breaths.
Scarlet moves next to Becket, her years of PR experience kicking in. “Now you say nothing. Not to a soul outside this family. Now we lock down. We bring as little attention to Madeline as possible, so every nut job out there doesn’t become interested in her. This story will be sensationalized. It’s the kind of thing social media loves. You don’t want that attention on her or any of you, for that matter. You need to get comfortable with ‘No comment’ because it’s the only thing any of you will be saying for the foreseeable future.”
Becks shrugs. “Pretty much what she said. We’re a high-profile family. Dixon is the number one center in the NFL, and Easton is the goalie for one of the best teams in the NHL. This is going to get out, and people will want to know everything. We’ll do our best to contain it, but it’s not going to be easy. We’ll need to figure out what the hell the next few weeks look like.”
I laugh because I have no idea when this became my life and because the only other option is to cry. “We’re going to live our lives. That’s what the next few weeks look like. We do whatever we need to do to work through this hell. I’m thinking that’s going to mean a lot of therapy. Probably means selling our house because I don’t know how I’m supposed to ever relax in there again. But each of us has to decide how we’re going to get through it. That’s not something anyone else can do for us.”
“Ashlyn,” Scarlet reaches for me, but I shake my head, unbelievably exhausted.
I look from Becks to Scarlet, then back at Lindy, who’s asleep on the couch, before I finish my tea in one long sip, then do the same to what’s left of Brandon’s whiskey. “In the meantime, we don’t say anything. Works for me because I don’t think I’m capable of talking about any of this. Not yet.” Maybe not ever, which is why I’m already thinking I need to find us a therapist.“I think I’m going to put Lindy to bed and lie down with her.” I look around the room at all the people we love, then kiss Brandon’s cheek.
“I’ll be up in a few minutes, okay?” he asks.
I nod and walk quietly into the other room, stopping in front of Easton, Lindy, and Jace. “I’m going to take Lindy to bed, guys.”
