A soppy grin takes over my face, and a traitorous tear leaks from the corner of my eye. He captures it, smoothing it out across my cheek. The corners of his mouth inch up, offering that sexy, crooked smile of his. My heart thumps loudly when his heated gaze runs down the length of my body.
‘I think you get more beautiful every day.’
‘Are you saying that because you’re the one who brushed and straightened my hair?’ I tease, smiling. He is much better at getting it perfectly straight than I am; since it’s so long now, it’s hard for me to reach.
‘Don’t go spreading that rumour around campus, I have a reputation, you know.’
I snort. ‘Right.’
He grins for a moment before his face sobers. ‘Are you ready for today?’
Shaking my head, I heave a sigh. ‘No, not really. I don’t know how to face her after everything, and I don’t know how to process everything Rod did, or his death ...’ Rolling my lips inwards, I softly shake my head. ‘I just don’t have the energy in me to do any of this right now, but I know I have to. I need to be strong for Zayden.’
‘He’s not going to go.’
I feel light-headed, and I move to sit on the edge of the bed. ‘He needs to.’
‘I know he does, but it’s going to take a hell of a lot to convince him.’
‘Maybe you should talk to him. He listens to you.’
Mason twirls the end of my hair around his finger, looking thoughtful. ‘I think we should do it together. We’re a team, me and you.’
Warmth spreads through my chest at his words. ‘Okay.’
Mason captures my hand, and I let him guide me down the stairs towards the kitchen. My eyes wander to the giant bunch of flowers Cami and Nora bought me. They have been spoiling me with such nice, thoughtful gifts. I appreciate them so much. They are such beautiful people, and I’m very lucky to have become their friend.
I move to Zayden, who is sitting at the kitchen island, a textbook sprawled across the bench as he watches a lecture from his laptop. He looks up, pausing the video. Slowly, he removes his AirPods, jaw hardening when he takes in my outfit.
‘Guess you’re off, then,’ he says, voice bland and emotionless. Despite him and Mason making up, it’s still been a little tense around here as he comes to terms with everything. It’s also been a bit of an issue that I’m attending Rod’s funeral.
‘I think you should go, Zay,’ I say softly. ‘You don’t have to celebrate his life or make a statement or anything, but it might give you the closure that you need to move on from this.’
‘I’m not going,’ he snaps, slamming the textbook closed with a distinct slap. ‘He can rot in hell for all I care.’
‘You don’t think it might help you?’ Mason’s voice is cautious as he eyes my brother with concern.
Zayden’s chin twitches and his eyes slice to Mason’s. ‘How would it help?’
Mason shrugs. ‘I think seeing that fucker be put in the ground could really help you move past this. Seeing first-hand that he no longer has any power over your family. It might feel really good, honestly.’
I glance at Mason in surprise, impressed. He knows how to speak Zayden’s language. He just gets him in a way that I can’t. My brother looks like he is mulling this information over, and I partly want to roll my eyes. I knew Mason would get through to him, but I’m also aware how monumental this moment could be for him. I want him to heal from this as best he can, and this is hopefully a step in the right direction to start that process.
Zayden rubs his eyes. ‘I don’t know if I can do it.’
‘I get that, man. It’s okay not to go, but think about it.’ Mason glances down at his watch. ‘We need to leave now, but come later, if you’re up for it. We’ll be right there with you.’
Zayden nods, eyes dropping to his notebook. ‘Maybe.’
‘Or we can all stay home,’ I suggest.
Zayden shakes his head. ‘You should go. For Mum.’
My stomach clenches. I’ve been nauseous for days at the thought of seeing her. She is the woman who raised me, the one who always took care of me. I look up to her for everything. And now, after hearing about what she did, I don’t know how I can face her, or how to process it all.
‘I don’t want you to be alone.’
‘I’m not,’ Zaydon replies, lazily gesturing to the laptop. ‘Me and Mrs Bottom-Cheeks are having a fabulous time.’
