Knox frowns and looks away. “Like himself, though I doubt he’ll be able to fake tonight, which is probably why he didn’t want the vigil to take place.”
“I can’t say I was too thrilled about the idea either, but if Mom needs it, I’ll be there. Did Kane mention whether your mom was coming tonight?”
“She is, but she won’t be staying long. Kane said she’ll be leaving afterward.”
I briefly shake my head, wishing she was staying longer. It will please Mom that Audrey is at least coming.
“What about your dad?”
“He wouldn’t miss it.”
There’s another whine next to me. Conan lies on his belly, looking up at me with sad eyes, as if he has never had a pat in his life. Sympathy wells up inside of me, so I slide off the seat and sit cross-legged next to him on the ground and return to patting him.
“Spoiled dog.”
I smile up at Knox. “He is a little needy.”
Knox puffs. “A little?” he asks, with amusement in his tone.
Conan stands and leaves a long lick of slobber up my face. “Awe.” He licks again, so I put my hands over my face and giggle, but the more he licks, the more I laugh.
“That’s enough, Conan.” Knox’s voice is stern, so Conan stops and backs away.
Knox stands and bends down to offer me his hand. I place my hand in his and he helps me up. He kisses it above where the ring is that he gave me. “Let me hold you... support you... Let me be your person today. You can go back to hating me tomorrow.”
I gasp, then pull out of his hold and stand on my toes, looping my arms around his neck. “I don’t hate you,” I whisper into his ear as his arms come around me, holding me firm against him.
He left an imprint on me when we were only kids. That has never lessened.
I faintly hear the back door close.
“Umm... Bomber.”
I pull away from him.
We turn our attention to Twitch. He peers at the ground, then back at us. “Uh, sorry, but your brother’s out the front, waiting.”
Knox and I glance at each other. “I need to grab my bag and wash my face,” I tell him. He nods. I wait until Twitch leaves to say, “You can be there today, and to be honest, I’d struggle without you.” He was always my safe space.
Knox gives me a stiff nod, though I notice his shoulders fall. He follows me inside and places his hand on my lower back, making me shiver. When I get to his room, I pick up my bag from the floor, go to the bathroom to wash my face, add a little more makeup, then make my way back to Knox, who hasn’t moved from the bottom of the stairs.
“Are you ready?”
My heartbeat quickens.No, but I reply with, “Yes.”
As we move through the house, Knox stops to talk to Reaper, but I keep walking out the front door.
Kane is leaning against the limousine. When our eyes meet, I see a flash of pain in his. Like Knox said, he puts on a front, but I can tell he feels the pain like I do.
We walk to each other. My vision blurs with tears as I step into his warm embrace. When we shared this day together, he and Knox made it bearable. Sometimes, sharing the pain with someone rather than internalizing it is comforting.
We step out of the hug and I brush my tears away.
“I’m glad you’re back,” Kane admits.
I clear my throat. “Me too.”
He tilts his head toward the idling limousine. “Let’s get going.”
