Page 32 of Utah

“Like hell you will.” Ria scowled up at me. “You’re going to reinjure yourself.”

“She’s right, Utah.” Her brother supported her objection. “No way you’re doing it.”

I couldn’t rightfully argue because, while I wanted to be there for Crash in any way I could, I couldn’t risk doing something that would endanger my trip to Mexico.

“We’ll do it.” Renner motioned between himself, Brick, Stone, and Nash. “We’d be honored.”

A solemn air enveloped everyone as we lined the walkway in solidarity as Crash’s casket was carried into the church.

We’d give our brother the send-off he deserved.

17

Rain started to drizzle the moment everyone surrounded the grave, as if Mother Nature wanted to participate in the somber day.

Standing beside my brother brought back the memory of the day we buried our father. His was the only other funeral I’d ever been to. I was sixteen at the time, and my entire world as I knew it imploded, leaving the rest of my family scarred in one way or another.

My father had been a career Marine and had been deployed several times during his time in the service. Even though I was young, I noticed the subtle changes in his personality whenever he came back home to us, but my mom played it off as stress from his job. When he eventually took his life eight years ago, we were all left to dwell in anguish as well as anger. As the years passed, I tried to understand why he left us. But to this day, I still didn’t have a good answer. It was obvious he was hurting and didn’t see another way out, but I wished he’d talked to someone about whatever it was he was going through. Maybe he’d be here today if he only reached out.

Crash’s service had been open casket. He was shot, but theymanaged to repair the damage so that he was presentable for everyone to see him and say their final goodbyes.

Ginny was his only family, and my heart broke for her. I couldn’t imagine being the only one left in this world. No familial ties of any kind. The thought alone caused a chill to run through me.

Other than her, Utah was the one who lingered at the gravesite the longest. He’d told me briefly what happened to the two of them out there in those woods, and I believed he carried a lot of guilt—not only because he’d survived but because he couldn’t help Crash in the end. But that wasn’t his fault. I only wished he’d understand that.

Wanting to give him the time he needed, I walked with my brother and Kyla back to the vehicles. I glanced toward the gravesite several times along the way.

“He’ll be fine,” Knox said. “It’s just gonna take some time.”

“I know. I just can’t help but worry.”

Kyla squeezed my hand. “If you ever need a girls’ night, just let me know. I know you can’t drink right now, but I can take up your slack.”

“I don’t think so.” Knox’s elevated brow made us both chuckle, which we quickly suppressed because of where we were.

She smacked him on the arm. “Stop being such—”

“A pain in the ass,” I finished for her.

He simply shook his head, but the appearance of a grin started to form.

I was thrilled Knox finally found someone. Not only was Kyla lovely in every way, but she took some of his attention off me and Evie, a debt we’d never be able to repay. It was the first time in years I felt like I had a little bit of breathing room—operative words beinga little bit.

Looking over my shoulder, I noticed that Utah was still standing near Crash’s grave. Twenty feet to the left of him wasone of the guys, who I believed was named Rez, standing beside Ginny. For as angry as she showed up at the church, I was surprised she talked to anyone. But with how close they stood, perhaps he offered her some much-needed comfort today.

The rest of the guys from the club, along with members from California, were scattered near the walkway. I’d seen a lot of these guys at some point but wasn’t the best at remembering names.

I bumped Knox’s shoulder with mine. “Who’s that woman over there?”

The woman I inquired about was thin and had dark brown hair. Her bob-style haircut suited her well and even from this distance, I could see she was beautiful.

“That’s Renner’s woman, Emmy.”

“The schoolteacher?”

“Yeah.”

I’d heard a story or two about them from Utah. It was nice to put a face to the name.

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