Page 115 of Glutton for Punishment

Sly steps forward next, quieter than the others, and gives me one of his warm smiles before pulling me into a brief hug. “Glad you’re back,” he says.

“Thanks, Sly.”

My eyes catch on Brix, standing a little apart from the others, and my heart stutters in my chest.

Floppy brown hair curling over his eyes, hands shoved in his pockets. He’s clearly been working outside with his tawny skin and must have been doing manual labor because his chest has filled out.

He’s trying to look relaxed and casual, but failing miserably.

I step toward him anyway. He steps toward me, too.

We both hesitate.

Then somehow manage the worst half-hug in recorded history. More of an awkward shoulder bump than an embrace.

“Glad you’re okay,” he mutters.

“Yeah,” I swallow. “Thanks.”

He pastes on a fake, small smile. Too many things remain unspoken between us.

Tabby makes a gagging noise. “Oh my universe, that was horrifically awkward.”

Holly rounds on Brix. “Seriously? That’s what you do after she comes back from the dead? Can we get over whatever this is?”

“Guys,” I cut in. “Stop. It’s fine.”

Brix rubs the back of his neck, looking mortified. “Actually—uh—I almost forgot.” He reaches into his jacket. “I have something for you.”

He pulls out a folded envelope, and my breath catches the second I see the handwriting.

No.

No way.

My fingers tremble as I snatch it from him. Sadie.

Tears blur my vision so fast that I can barely see. “Oh my universe,” I whisper. She’s okay. My chest caves in under the weight of relief as I hug the letter to my heart.

I throw myself at Brix before I think better of it, arms wrapping around his neck hard enough to suffocate him.

“Thank you,” I choke out.

He stiffens in surprise before hugging me back. “I figured you’d want it,” he mumbled.

Hearing from my best friend from home… proof that some piece of my old life still exists… it’s everything.

I pull back, wiping furiously at my face while everyone politely pretends not to notice I was crying.

Good friends saving my Wrath dignity.

Tabby fails first. “The tears confirm you’re no longer Wrath, right? Like your 100% in the Gluttony category now.”

So much for good friends…

Holly shoves her, and Cleo smiles, rolling her eyes.

I continue to clutch the letter to my chest like it might disappear. After everything that happened this Summer, I feel like I’m finally home.