Before I can stand from my chair, Harvey pushes me back into it. When did he walk in, and how did I not notice him walk behind me?I’m losing my marbles.
“Sit your ass back down.” Hazel is suddenly inches from my face. “The only place you’re going is to apologize and beg thatglittery mini-reaper to come back. The next time I see your stupid face, and you’re alone, I will carve your skin and wear it like a jacket, Anxo.”
I gulp audibly and swallow my protests, watching the menacing gleam in her eyes.I have so many unstable people in my familythat I can start a psych ward.
“We can handle whatever the witch is here for.”
“Technically, he’s a warlock—” Grace enters but quickly shuts up when Hazel shifts her glare on her, “but let’s call him a witch.”
Hazel takes over ordering and making plans since I’m dead on my feet and way too emotionally compromised to worry about little details. I feel unbelievably foolish for not involving them in my chaos sooner.
“I’m not going anywhere with him,” Grace shakes her head profusely.
“Darling—”
With her fingers in her ears, she stomps out of the room. Grace was kind enough to forgive Hazel and me, but Harvey is a different story. She let him inside their room last week, but he still sleeps on the couch.
I think her anger has more to do with the fear of losing her sister than what Harvey did. Letting her mate comfort her means Grace loses the anger and anxiety that’s been keeping her from falling apart.
Harvey stops me before I can apologize for the hundredth time. “Not your fault, brother. It was my decision; hence, I deserve the consequences. Don’t worry about us, and get our troublemakers back. Anyway, I have a brilliant plan for Grace.”
Seiji snorts at the confidence, but I pray whatever Harvey has planned will work because if Nevaeh—by some miracle—takes me back and comes back to them fighting because of the messImade, she will kill me.
I’m standing by the door, ready to leave, but my legs feel heavier than normal, and I can’t find it in myself to cross the threshold. Seiji crosses his arms and waits, knowing I have something to say.
“I just—what if she doesn’t want to come back? What if I ruined us beyond repair?” Saying it out loud makes the dread in my stomach crawl to my throat.
I deserve this after the hurt I’ve caused, even if the reason behind it was their safety. I know she will understand, but that doesn’t mean it will lessen the pain she went through because of me. Any punishment she decides will be worth it if I get another chance.
“Oh, she’ll come back. Just explain everythingthoroughly. Knowing the paranoia queen, she thinks you made her leave because you don’t love her anymore, so make sure she knows you do.”
I don’t think I’ve ever heard Hazel give advice. And good advice? Yeah, that’s new. Before I can comment on the rarity of it, she continues, “And make sure to add how this was your once-in- lifetime stupidity phase.”
More good advice with a sprinkle of insult.Is she sick?
Making a list in my head, I’m ready to run out. Stopping again, I ignore Hazel calling me a wuss.
“I… uh, I just want to thank you… for not giving up on me.”
“That’s what families do. We stick together, no matter the fuckups.” Seiji jogs over to hug me before I finally leave for the human realm.
This apology better be the best anyone has ever seen, or I might just lose the love of my life for good.
CHAPTER 40
Truth doesn’t change the way it hurts
Anxo
Begging for an apology with an empty hand is a rookie mistake I won’t make.
As soon as I cross into the human realm, I make a beeline to McDonald’s and order everything my mate and son enjoy on the menu. With bags full of hot junk food in the passenger seat, my next stop is the grocery store an hour from the cabin.
I’m not even slightly ashamed for leaving the store with two large bags filled with enough sugar and spice to last my little family a week.
It still feels too little for the size of apology I’m hoping for, so I make yet another pit stop at a charming flower shop and find a bouquet that says ‘Please take me back’.
I spend around three hours running around the human realm, buying everything in sight that my mate likes. By the time I drop the last bag in the trunk of my car, it’s filled to the brim, just like the backseatandthe passenger seat.
