Page 16 of Don't Let Go

Strangers who claimed to be my father’s friends, whom I must’ve met at least once or twice at fancy government gatherings or on the campaign trail over the years, shook my hand and looked me in the eye. A lot of family members I’ve only seen in pictures on Facespace hugged me like we were somehow close all of a sudden. Some people placed a hand on my shoulder. A lot of women sobbed and hugged me too tight.

Always the same few sentences were uttered:

“I’m so sorry about your father.”

“He was a great man.”

“He’ll be missed.”

“Your mother and now your father, you poor thing.”

“You look just like him.”

“Thank you,” I replied for the thousandth time as the last guest left the church.

I let out a breath, running my hands down my suit. All the hugs and pats wrinkled my jacket.

I popped my neck and turned toward my uncle. “Thank you for standing next to me.”

He nodded. “It was what your father would’ve wanted.” He rubbed his hands together. I had a feeling he would kill for another drink. “So, now that I have you alone, I’d like to discuss where you’ll be staying.”

I lifted an eyebrow. “What do you mean? I’m staying at my house. I could also crash with a friend, but I’m not—”

Uncle Morgan swallowed too hard, making his Adam’s apple jump. “You’re still a minor, and you need a legal guardian. I’m unable to take on the role due to business, but your father did have someone in case anything like this ever occurred.”

My stomach dropped as if someone hacked into me. I was a pumpkin with its guts ripped out. “I don’t follow.”

He shifted his weight from one foot to another. “I’m sorry, son. The thing is—”

My uncle tried to explain, but I couldn’t hear him. He sounded like the adults in aPeanutscartoon. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a gorgeous girl with long dark brown hair, and the little black dress hugged her hips and chest perfectly. Her green eyes locked with mine, and I felt weightless. She was a siren who could steal my soul at any moment. Her facial expression was grim. She looked me up and down as if I was a dangerous insectbefore glancing at the woman standing on her left who looked the same as her but about twenty years older.

Uncle Morgan shook my arm, making me look back at him. “Tyler, I know this is hard to hear, but Sofia Giordano has been appointed your legal guardian in your parents’ will. I’ll leave you to talk.”

Wait. What happened?

I licked my suddenly dry lips and stole a glance at the girl once more. She was watching my mouth. I smirked at her and her eyes darted toward her mother.

“Hello, Tyler. We’ve met before, but I’m sure you don’t remember since you were so little. I’m Sofia, your mother’s childhood best friend.” The woman motioned to the girl next to her. “This is my daughter, Aurora. I’m so sorry about your father and I’m sure you’re tired of hearing that.” She gave me a sad smile. Sofia had kind green eyes, the kind you felt like you could trust even though you didn’t know her. Aurora had a fire in her jade-green eyes. She seemed like the type who drew blood if you crossed her.

“I’m sorry. You lost me. You’re my legal guardian?”

She nodded. “Yes. Your parents picked me a long time ago. I can show you the paperwork later if you like. I know this has been a long, horrible day, so how about you stay at your house tonight, and we’ll start moving you out tomorrow?”

I felt like I had fallen into a wormhole, and words went through my ears, but their meaning changed, and my vision grew hazy. “I’m moving? Where?”

Aurora bit her bottom lip and I wondered what she tasted like. I shook my head. What the hell was wrong with me? I had Iris waiting for me outside.

Sofia ran her hands over my upper arms, smoothing out the wrinkles from all the hugs. “We live here in Phoenix. We’ll move you in and then work on transferring schools.”

I blinked my eyes rapidly as if that would somehow make time go back and save me from all this. “What?”

She had to be wrong. This wasn’t right. This wasn’t fair.

Aurora held her head up and leaned in closer. “You’re moving in with us I’m afraid, and I have to show you around South Ridge High next week. Lucky me.”

Her mother elbowed her in the ribs. “Aurora Silvana,” she hissed.

Aurora bowed her head, toeing a fallen rose on the floor with her black stiletto.

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