Prologue
Rest In Peace.
I feel a large sense of nothingness as I sit and stare at the words engraved into the headstone in front of me. The sun shines down, warming my skin, but I feel none of its heat.
“You left me when I needed you most.” I mouth the words, more to myself than anything else because I know my thoughts will not be reciprocated.
I thought I would feelsomethingby coming here, but I was wrong. I feel nothing. Actually, that’s a lie. I feel stupid. Visiting graves are for those who wish to pay their respects, to sit for a while in hopes of feeling closer to whoever is buried six feet under.
I don’t want to do or feel either of those things.
I thought coming here would bring me some closure, but all I’m able to feel is anger and resentment. The emotions begin to boil and fester beneath the surface as I sit and glare at the polished piece of granite that’s etched with the name of the person that was supposed to love me forever.
“I hate you.”
I know, but I’ll love you enough for the both of us.
Riley’s words echo through my mind at the same time a whisper of a touch caresses my back. I bow my head and pick at the grass beneath my folded legs just as a second set settles on either side of me, followed by the warmth of a body pressed against my back. His clean scent washes over me, and some of that anger dissipates.
Beautiful, scarred, freckled hands snake around me, hugging my body tighter. A single tear escapes as I cover his hands with my own, reveling in his soft, warm skin.
Before I can even form a thought, a third set of legs appear around us, accompanied by two more hands wedging between me and my big spoon, followed by a long, drawn out, contented yet overexaggerated sigh.
I cast my face to the sky with my eyes closed and just soak up their affections. I allow my head to rest onhisshoulder, my body feeding off of the strength he offers with his hold.
My sweet Riley Benjamin.
He runs his nose up the column of my neck before placing a soft, delicate kiss to the skin just beneath my ear, and my body breaks out in goosebumps.
We all sit in silence as they wait patiently for me, but I’ve had enough of sitting here. I push to stand, turning away from the headstone, coming to an abrupt halt when I see that Riley is gone.
Creed stands alone behind me, his back turned to a large concrete angel statue that looks over the cemetery.
My brows furrow as I look at Creed, mouthing,Where’s Riley?
His features bunch in confusion. “What do you mean, Stardust?”he asks, taking a step toward me and pulling my body flush with his.
“He was just here.” Uncertainty laces my barely whispered words as I look around, frantically searching for the man I know was just here next to me.
Creed slowly shakes his head and it has me utterly confused. My brows knit together as a sense of dread blankets my body. I feel as if I’m not in control of myself, like I’m about to start spiraling.
I spin out of Creed’s hold but he takes my hand instead as I desperately seek outmyRiley.
Where is he?
I try to call his name, but all that comes out is an inaudible huffing sound. My free hand flies to my hair, my fist tangling in the roots, and I pull hard, yanking Creed around by his grip on my other hand while I look for Riley.
He was just here…wasn’t he?
“Stardust,”Creed says, but his words sound like they’re underwater. He jerks me hard, and I stumble back into his chest, my eyes now welling with unshed tears. My back is sealed to Creed’s front as he envelopes me in a vise-like hug.
His citrus scent invades my senses, but Riley’s clean scent is there, too.
Creed doesn’t let me go despite my struggles. Instead, he just holds me tighter. “Baby,please.”His voice is strained, choking off at the plea that falls from his lips.
I blink away the tears as something catches my eye that has my whole body locking up. The blood drains from my face as the words beneath the angel come into clarity:
In loving memory, always our angel
