I nodded to the preacher.
He started in on his sermon about loved ones, death, and grieving. I tuned him in and out as my aunt held my hand. Before long, five people paraded up to the altar, one after the other, to talk about Leigh, Randal, Jr., and my mom and dad. Each one talked about a memory or experience with one of them. It wasn’t until Leigh’s best friend, Jessica Davis, mentioned my name that I zeroed in on what she was saying.
“Ryker, you were Leigh’s hero,” Jessica said as tears streamed down her face. “She wanted to be everything you are—strong, determined, dedicated, loving—and you are what she deemed as special. The love for your family. The love you gave them.”
Don’t cry, dude. Don’t do it.
Aunt Kari squeezed my hand. “It’s okay. Let it out.”
No fucking way was I about to be the biggest crybaby anyone had ever seen.Be a man, my dad would say. Tough it out. Show people that you can handle anything. Because when they see you sweat, when they see you break down, they’ll pounce on your weakness.
But I didn’t feel strong at the moment. I didn’t have a determined bone in my body.
Jessica moved her dark hair off her shoulder, sniffling and smiling at me. “Leigh’s wish for you is to find someone who will give you that deep love that you have in your heart.”
Holy fuck!My head was dizzy. I felt as though Jessica were Leigh. My sister had said that very line to me a time or two. My response had always been that I would find someone when the time was right. But football was my love. Football was my future. Hell, it was my life. I had no room for anything else other than football and family.
Jessica blessed herself. Then she hung her head and walked off the altar.
My legs moved, but my brain was still on neutral. I wrapped my arms around Jessica. “Thank you.”
She hugged me back with every ounce she had and bawled into my chest.
I rubbed her back. “Leigh will always be with us.”
She flashed cloudy dark eyes at me. “I loved her so much.”
I was a second away from bawling with her until she ran back to her seat.
Five minutes later, the service ended. People I didn’t even know lined up to pay their respects by saying a prayer in front of the coffins.
I sat there, watching, while Kari and Franklin stood off to the side near me, shaking hands with people. Some tried to talk to me, but all I could do was nod. I was numb from head to toe with Jessica’s words on repeat, and I knew that in about an hour, we were about to bury my family.
The lilac scent gave Haven away before her soft hand landed on mine. “Ryker.”
Heaven.
Her voice was like an angel’s.
She closed her hand over mine. “I’m so sorry for your loss.”
I turned slightly, lifting my gaze to hers. Those fucking emerald eyes were mesmerizing, bewitching, and enchanting. I sighed as though she were the air I needed.
She leaned in and kissed me on the cheek with soft lips then whispered in my ear. “I know how it feels to lose someone. If you ever want to talk, come find me.”
My heart settled a beat until a large, looming man stood over us.
His green eyes narrowed at me. “Son,” Senator Hale said. “Please accept my condolences.”
Don’t make a scene. Don’t freak out. Don’t punch him.
I wanted to do all of the above.
Instead, I deadpanned.
Franklin came over and extended his hand to the senator. “Eugene, thank you for coming.”
I didn’t know how in the world Franklin could be so pathetically nice.
