Page 146 of Finish Line

Luke joins us next. “I’ve been considering sending Mom, Dad, Lea, and Carter away on vacation. Disney with their grandson is a great destination.”

“Oh, they would love that,” I say.

“Then, it’s settled. After we bury Patty, I’ll pack and move to town,” Peter says.

“Are you sure this is what you want, Dad?” Nick asks. “I don’t want you to be alone right now.”

His body deflates. “It’s what I need. I can’t stay here. Everything reminds me of her.”

The day of my mom’s funeral arrives with the first rainy day of the week, which fits my mood.

Peter held off on Mom’s funeral until I was home.

Hannah wanted to return for the funeral, but her dad told her no. He didn’t want her to interrupt her progress while staying with his sister.

Hannah relented but asked me to call her when I could.

Peter and I decided not to have a viewing. We wanted a small ceremony for family and friends. Peter purchased a gravesite for himself when Nick’s mom died, wanting to be buried next to her. Since he also wants my mom to be near him after he passes on, he purchased the plot on the other side of his for her.

At the gravesite, a priest says some prayers over Mom. With the guys’ support, Peter and I stay and watch as they lower mom into the ground.

Growing up the way I did, I always assumed that when the time came, I wouldn’t miss Mom when she died. Too many times, she chose drugs over me. Uncle Brett raised me more than she did.

But the thought of never seeing or talking to her again hurts. I won’t have a parent to give me away at my wedding. And if I have kids, they won’t have a grandma.

I reach out and grab Peter’s hand. As we watch the casket lower the last foot, I grasp it tighter. “Thank you for making my mom smile again.”

He turns toward me and pulls me into his embrace. “Even though she is gone, I’ll always consider you my daughter.”

As he pulls back to kiss me on my forehead, I let out a deep breath. My shoulders shake as tears cascade down my face before I dive back against his chest. My guys surround me, each touching me in different ways, not speaking.

I let out years of pent-up frustrations as Peter releases his own.

Peter steps back from me. “It’s time to go.”

I stand there for another minute, looking at the headstone marking my mother’s grave. “Goodbye, Mom.”

“Come on, babe, you’re shaking,” Luke says. “Let’s warm you up.”

For the funeral reception, Peter picked their favorite restaurant. He paid to have it closed for lunch.

I introduce Cin and Uncle Brett to the Masons. Henry and my uncle connect over a love of old cars.

Everyone hugging me and telling me how sorry they are is unnerving, so I pick at my food.

A rock flies through the restaurant’s front window, spraying glass onto the tables. Dom throws his arms over my head as everyone ducks or falls to the ground.

“Son of a bitch.” Dom runs his hands over my face and hair. His eyes are hard, and his lips are pinched as he checks me over. Once he’s confirmed I’m unharmed, he looks out the window.

Luke stands in front of us, his gun drawn. Cam is in front of Mav, and Nick is doing the same with Cin.

Dom holds his arm out to block me from view, so I peek around him.

Roger sits in the passenger side of a car at the edge of the parking lot.

“Is that him?” Uncle Brett asks.

“Yeah,” I say, not thinking.

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