Page 93 of Before This Ends (Before)

“Good.” He steps inside, carrying a shopping bag. “I brought soup.”

“I beat you to it,” Dayton says from his stool in the kitchen, motioning to the clear plastic container now sitting on the counter with what looks like chicken noodle soup inside.

I laugh and start to shut the door but stop when Tucker appears in the doorway. I notice a single can of chicken star soup in his hand.

“Did Miles send out a mass text requesting soup?” I ask, accepting a one-armed hug from him.

“No.” He smiles. “But he did let us know Winter was sick. How’s she feeling?”

“She’s sleeping, and her fever broke,” I repeat while closing the door behind him.

I make my way to the kitchen, where the guys have all congregated, and open the fridge to look for something to eat.

“Miranda let me know we’re going to Florida next Friday,” Tucker says as I take out the stuff to make myself a sandwich.

“We are,” I confirm.

“I don’t get an invite?” Dayton asks, looking between Miles and me.

“You can come.” I shrug. “We’ll just have to rent a bigger house.”

“When is this?” Clay asks, and I focus on him.

“Next Friday to Monday.”

“I’ll see if Willow wants to go. She’d probably be happy to spend a few days in the sun.”

“As much as I want to spend some time with you guys away from work, this trip is for Emma to get to see her sister,” Miles says, moving close and resting his hand against my lower back.

“It’s fine.” I look up at him. “Gianna won’t mind, and it’s not like we’ll all be staying at her house.” Not that staying with her is ever an option. Every time I visit them, I either get a hotel or rent a house nearby. The two-bedroom house she and her husband live in is small, and their spare room is her husband’s office. They have plans to build a house someday on the ten acres they own, but with the animals they’re constantly rescuing, most of the money they bring in is put toward their care.

“We can plan a trip another time,” Clay says softly, and I shake my head.

“Seriously, it’s okay. Gianna works with her husband, who is a traveling vet, so even when I’m there, I spend a lot of time on my own. She won’t mind.”

Also, Gianna and I don’t have the bond Miles does with each of them. Our relationship is one we both have to constantly put effort into; otherwise, we won’t speak to nor see each other, and that doesn’t change when I’m visiting. It’s never been effortless, like my relationship with Miranda, which sucks, because sheismy sister, and I wish we were closer. We just aren’t.

“Are you sure?” Dayton asks.

“Yes, and you guys will love the area. There’s a ton to do, and everything is in walking distance—even the beach.” I look at Tucker. “Kingston loves it.”

“He told me.” His smile is soft. “He said your sister has a farm?”

“Not quite.” I laugh. “She and her husband have an animal rescue, so they have lots of random critters around, including a opossum that lives in the house with them.”

“A opossum?” Dayton frowns.

“Speed-bump.” I smile at the look on his face. I probably had the same expression when Gianna told me about her new pet a year ago. “She’s my sister’s baby. Gianna’s had her since she was small enough to fit in the palm of her hand. She’s sweet.” I glance toward the couch, then look up at Miles. “Winter is going to want to bring her home with us.”

“We’re not getting any more animals, and we are definitely not getting a opossum.”

“We’ll see,” I mutter, listening to the guys laugh as I take my sandwich with me over to the couch.

As I eat, I absently listen to Miles and Tucker go over the case they’re working with Clay and Dayton, but I try not to pay too much attention as they talk. After seeing the crime scene photos of those two girls a couple of nights ago, I can honestly say I’m glad Miles doesn’t share his job with me.

It’s not that I wouldn’t be there for him if he needed to vent; it’s just there are some things I’d rather be ignorant of. Because this world is already scary enough without knowing exactly how scary it actually is.

CHAPTER34

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