Page 35 of See Through

“If that’s all, I’ll see you guys at the investigation.” Cooper stands and hugs us all before he leaves. “I have a very important date to get to.”

“Oh wow,” I say. “Who’s the lucky person?”

“You’d love it if I told you,” he says before he leaves.

“I mean, yeah, I would have.” He’s never been so secretive before. Huh. I file that away in my brain for later. Right now, I have more important things to focus on. “Maven, are you still feeling okay about this?”

“Mhm.” She nods, giving Aubrey a hug. “I have the easy part. You guys are doing the hard stuff, and I promise I will watch those cameras with fervor like never before.”

Aubs and I laugh, loving her enthusiasm.

“I’ll see you at the investigation. Should I bring coffee or wear anything specific?” she asks as she grabs her purse.

“Dean and I like to wear all black, but there’s nothing specific to wear or anything. Just make sure you’re comfortable. It might be a little cold.”

“Sounds good.” She blows us a kiss as she leaves. “Bye!”

“See you,” I say as she shuts the door to Aubrey’s apartment. “That went well.”

“It did,” she agrees. “I want to tell you something.”

“Anything, honey,” I tell her.

“I want you to have the final say.”

“On what?”

“If I start to get too wrapped up, I want you to make the executive decision to pull us out. To pull me out. Whatever it takes, Dean, okay? I’m not going to be able to make rational decisions if anything starts to happen in there, and I trust you to pull us out if anything starts to get unsafe.”

“Aubs, I know this is going to be a tough one. You don’t have to do this. The internet does not need to see your trauma blasted all over because you think it would be good for your channel.”

“You know that’s not why I’m doing this,” she scoffs.

“I know.” I grab her chin. “I know, baby, but this could just be for you. This is going to be emotional, and though this might bring you the closure you’ve wanted for years, don’t count on that.”

“I won’t.” She nods. “That’s why I want you to have the final say, because I’m not going to want to listen to you.”

“My girl is stubborn. I’ve known that for a long time.” She smiles at me, the most beautiful thing I get to see every fucking day of my life. “I’ll carry you out of the house myself if I need to.”

“I’m counting on that.” Her hand comes to my cheek. “Thank you for letting me do this. I know you think it’s a bad idea, but it feels like something I have to do.”

“You should know I’ve never let you do anything. I always follow your lead, Aubs. Whatever you need from me, you’ll get. I’m here to support you, not hinder you. If you really feel like you have to do this, I’ve got your back.”

She opens her mouth as if she’s going to say something, but then she stops herself.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Now, let me treat my beautiful girlfriend to dinner. How does our favorite spot down the street sound?”

“It’s like you read my mind.” She presses a kiss to my lips, and I follow her out the door like a goddamn dog.

Woof.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

I don’t want to open the door. I don’t even know why I came. My parents always forbid me and Adrian from coming down here. They said it was only for the adults.

Now, I am one, but coming down here is making me feel like a little kid again, except this time, I don’t have my other half. I lost him. I lost my twin brother, and here I am, sneaking down to the morgue, where he’s lying on a cold silver slab. Alone.