My cheeks heat in embarrassment. “It’s crazy, isn’t it? I dated theirbrother. Theirdeadbrother.” I flinch at the words. At how they might land.
Veronica winces but doesn’t react otherwise. “It is a bit insane, but so is this town. So is what you have gone through. What we have gone through. If they make you happy, and it works? Then who fucking cares. God knows I wish I had that support system. But I called my mom. She’s going to be here soon to pick me up.”
“Good. And you have my number, if you ever need me, I’m just a call away.”
Veronica grasps the hoodie tighter to her. “Are you sure I can have this? I miss him too, you know? I was just beginning to accept a world without him, and now–” Her bottom lip wobbles. She breathes in and out a few times.
“Yes, I’m sure. He would have wanted you to have it.” Turning behind me, I grab a change of clothes for her. “My clothes might not fit you exactly right, but they should make do until your mom is here. Unless you want us to take you by your home.”
Veronica stiffens. “No, I don’t want to see ourdad. Other than maybe to witness the look on his face when he realizes his son is dead. That in some convoluted way it’s his fault. He never took part in the despicable bits of this town, but he turned a blind eye, he helped cover up their crimes, he fucking held onto Auggie’s car. And he is evil in his own way.” She rubs her neck anxiously.
I can tell there’s more to it than that, in the way her breathing turns erratic, in the cadence of her voice, but I don’t push her.
“Bathroom is through there, take a shower, relax your body to make up for how bad your mind feels.”
“Yeah.” She takes the clothes from me listlessly before walking to the bathroom.
Leaving me to my thoughts. Leaving me to the realization that it is finally.
Officially.
Over.
But now what?
52
October 13th
“Sunday? Can you come downstairs?” It’s Grayson outside of my room.
I cast a glance back to the bathroom. Walking to it, I yell through the door. “Veronica, I’m going to go downstairs. Do you need anything?”
“No, I’m good, just having a necessary mental breakdown, but I’m managing, I promise.”
My mind wars with me, but I decide to leave her to it. She seems like she’s doing as well as can be expected. And Veronica was always strong, she always held herself together well. Even after Auggie’s death.
Throwing on my own set of clothes, I head out the door, only to find Darius on the other side.
He offers me his hand. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about Veronica and William.”
I take his, squeezing it reassuringly. “I understand, just don’t keep any more big secrets like that again, okay?” I look up at him through my lashes.
He is still broken up about what we went through, but I can already tell he’s healing. He’s more comfortable.
Tugging him to me, I use one hand to grip him by the neck, dragging him down to my level and then reaching up on my tiptoes, I push my lips against his. Pressing my emotions into him. Showing him with my mouth how much I love him. For a moment, he doesn’t react but then his tongue tangles with mine, the piercing ever present, offering a cool reprieve in thefire he ignites inside of me. His hand finds the small of my back, wrenching me up and closer.
A throat clearing has him wrenching back. I nearly stumble in the movement, but he stabilizes me.
“Sunflower?” Turning, I come face-to-face with my parents. My skin heats, a lead drops in my stomach.
“I told them to wait downstairs,” Axel chuckles, slinking up from behind them on the stairs. He marches forward, heaving me into his arms before dropping a kiss on the tip of my nose.
“Axel,” I warn.
“What Sunday? Just need your parents to know you’re well looked after. Can’t leave them thinking it’s just Darius they need to approve of.”
My mom’s face is white, but my dad doesn’t even react. “I told you this would happen,” he tells her before offering me a sad smile. “We’ll be next door when you’re ready.” He grabs hold of my mom’s wrist and takes her with him down the stairs.
