“Yeah, it’s been too long for me as well,” he finally said, pulling into the school. “We can go this afternoon.”
I nodded, relieved that he hadn’t bitten my head off. Oscar was a touchy subject for all of them, and I really knew fuck all about my brother. Part of me wondered if I was just a morbid freak, because his death was often on my mind. It felt like there were pieces missing. Not just for me either, because the police had never figured out whether it was murder or suicide.
Maybe when we were at the grave, Beck would be more willing to talk.
The others joined us in the parking lot, and the five of us walked in together. A united front. Game faces on.
Katelyn was center stage, holding court with her minions. All of them watched as we walked past, and for the first time, I didn’t bother to hide my hatred for her. I met her gaze with one of my own, a slight smirk on my lips.
Her smug expression faltered, and as her gaze ran across the five of us, the way we walked so close together. In sync again. I saw the red tinge her cheeks as her eyes blazed. She was not happy about that, and it made me happy to know that we’d ruined her morning.
“Claws in, pussy”—Jasper paused, and I rolled my eyes at him—“cat,” he finished. “That bitch will get what’s coming to her, don’t you worry.”
I turned so I could see him better. “What does that mean? What do you have planned?”
Beck shook his head then, reaching out and threading his fingers through mine. “Not at school, Butterfly.”
Fair enough, but I wasn’t letting them get away with any more deceptive behavior. If there was shit going down, I wanted in on it.
* * *
Class passed uneventfully.Evan was my escort for the day, and with his help during study period, I even managed to catch up on some of the school work I’d been missing. When the bell was about to ring, my phone buzzed.
Eddy: Hey, girl. Is everything okay? Haven’t seen you for a few days. Jasper moved out?!?
Me: We definitely need to catch up soon. Jasper moved into my building. You should see about getting an apartment there too. Or you can share with me.
I almost deleted the last part, but then I realized that if I was forgiving the guys, I sure as fuck was forgiving Eddy. She hadn’t even done anything. And I was worried about her living in that place with her toxic parents and no Jasper to keep an eye on things.
Eddy: Fuck yes. Okay, I’m asking now. If Jasper is there, they really shouldn’t say no.
There was a brief pause and I got another text.
Eddy: And btw, there is a party this Friday that you’re going to. Don’t argue with me. It’s been too long since we let loose.
I really hadn’t been in the mood to party since everything went to shit in my life, but maybe it was a good idea. I could use a night to let off steam, and watching a peep show of some skeezebag politician didn’t count. Even though I definitely had let off some tension that night.
Me: Let’s do it.
I could already picture Eddy squealing when she got that text. I then shot one off to Dante telling him about the party on Friday. Not only was it my birthday, but he had a thing for Eddy, so he’d no doubt be there. I still wasn’t sure how I felt about their “thing”, because I was trying my best to keep Dante out of Delta bullshit, but I also knew he’d treat Eddy right, and that was important to me.
After class, Evan and I were met in the parking lot by the other three guys.
“Everything okay?” I asked, looking between them.
Jasper nodded. “Beck told us that you’re wanting to visit Oscar’s grave, and we figured that it was time for all of us to have a moment with him.”
My hands were clammy, my heart doing weird palpitations at the thought of visiting Oscar’s grave. “I just … he was my brother,” I said softly. “It feels like I should at least meet him.”
Evan coughed and rubbed a hand over his face, like he was desperate to hide his emotions. Stepping forward, I wrapped my hand around his and pulled him along to Jasper’s SUV. It felt important that all of us went together.
The drive to the cemetery was silent; I was still nervous as fuck about this moment.
Jefferson cemetery was on the opposite side of town to the Delta compound, and it was really pretty. As a place to bury dead bodies went. White iron gates, that were propped open, trellises of roses that splashed reds and pinks across the green foliage, and so much land that it disappeared into the horizon.
“This has been Jefferson’s sole cemetery for a long time,” Dylan said quietly, all of us paused at the front gate like we were afraid to take the final steps through. “We all have a lot of family buried here.”
“But Oscar and Nat are the most important,” Jasper cut in.
