I give her a small smile. “That’s awesome.”
“Yeah, what about yours? Introducing Walker to your family? That’s a big deal.”
I let out a breath, wondering how much to even disclose. “There… was an accident. The house caught on fire and my mom and grandma didn’t make it.”
She drops the iPad on her lap, staring at me in shock. “Oh my god, Salem.”
A tear drops from my eye, surprising me. I know they would have killed me if given the opportunity, but it still hurts, knowing they’re gone. Knowing I had to be the one to do it. Knowing I’ll never have a normal family relationship. I didn’t even realize that I’d been holding out hope that one day they would give me that.
Skye wraps her arms around me, letting me cry on her shoulder. The tears soak into her shirt, and I let her hold me.
“You know what’s crazy to me?” I ask, pulling back after I’ve collected myself. My nose drips and tears cling to my blotchy face. “It’s crazy that people I’ve just met, have felt more like a family to me, than my own family. I think that’s what hurts the most. There are no more chances for them to fix how they treated me my whole life.” I sniffle, steadying my breathing.
Skye takes my hand in hers and we sit in silence for a few minutes before I go back to my room so she can finish her project.
When I get back to the room, Walker is awake and scrolling on his phone with a frown.
“What’s up?” I ask, he immediately sits up noting that I’ve been crying.
“Come here.” He demands, yanking me down into his arms. I curl up onto him as he holds me. His phone goes off between us and he lets out an exasperated sigh.
“Who is it?”
“It’s the band. We haven’t played in months and they’re wondering if we can book a gig for this weekend.”
“Why don’t you?” I say, looking at him.
His jaw grinds back and forth. “My dad threatened to kick me out if I touch the guitar. He wants me focused solely on obtaining my business degree.”
“Hmm.” I say, jumping off his lap. I pace back and forth, tapping my finger on my chin.
“He wants you to take over the company, right?”
“Yeah?”
“And you’re getting all A’s in your classes?”
“Yeah?”
“Well, then I think you’ve earned some band time. Fuck what he says. If he wants you to run the business, you have to have your education. There’s no way he’s risking the moment of nepotism he so clearly wants.”
A smile tugs at Walker’s mouth.
“I haven’t touched the guitar since he came here.”
“Then I guess it’s time you started.”
ChapterFifty-Five
SLOAN
SONG: R U MINE? BY ARTIC MONKEYS
Ipull up to the house after spending the holiday back home. I hadn’t seen them in two years, thinking I was protecting them from the demon inside me. But since I almost died, and then was completely taken over by the demon, I wanted to see my family before anything else happens. Life was so unpredictable, and I didn’t want to be left with any regrets.
I hike my bag over my shoulder and head into the house. Skye is curled up on the couch and the sight of her makes my chest clench.
“Hey.” She says with a small smile, noticing me staring. Every time I see her, it feels like the breath gets knocked out of my lungs.
