Page 76 of Laugh

Haddie’s eyes look at the ceiling for a moment as she considers the question. “I think I’m relieved about it. And really honored that they’ve asked me. There are so many things that I want to say about him, but it’ll be nice to have this to focus on for a bit.”

“That’s good. This is good. Maybe you’ll find some comfort as you write everything out. I’ll get out of here, give the two of you some time to relax. Will you let me know if I can do anything to help?”

Standing, I walk around the table to hug her, whispering a soft thanks into her ear, then louder, “We’ll let you know. Thanks for coming by mom.”

Haddie stands when I release mom and takes a hesitant step toward her. When mom opens her arms, she flies into them and relaxes into their embrace. “Thank you so much for coming over. I’m sorry I’m such a mess and wish I could have made a better first impression.”

Laughing, my mom pulls away and cups her cheeks. “You’re perfect, my dear. I’m glad to have come and finally met the girl that has my boy all twisted up.”

“Christ, mom,” I complain.

“Hush, I said what I said.” She sniffs at me. “Get my number from Beau. Call me. We’ll have lunch.”

Nodding quickly, Haddie sniffles, trying not to cry again. I grab her hand and pull her with me as we walk my mom to the door. After another round of hugs, we say goodbye, then find ourselves alone in the entryway.

Tugging gently on my hand, I look down at my happy girl. “You doing okay, baby?”

“I think so. I feel a little better. I really like your mom.”

Laughing, I kiss her forehead. “Yeah, she’s pretty nice.”

“Ummm, she’s beyond nice. She’s perfect! I want to keep her,” she says with a scowl, not happy with my underwhelming description.

“You two can keep each other as long as I come with her. Let’s curl up and watch a movie.”

I smile as Haddie walks beside me back to the room. I enjoy the peace that seems to have come over us as we spend the rest of the evening watching movies curled up against each other.

Chapter 29

It’s Time

Haddie

Shutting the journal, I hold it on my lap and finger the small scratches littering the cover.I’m… wow.

“Harry?” and “Baby?” both come from either side of me, but I ignore them. Addie’s thigh is pressed to my right, Beau my left, and their presence is everything to me right now.

“I’m going to say something, but I just need a moment,” I tell them quietly.

It’s been nine days since Marcus died. Hedied. People like to say he went to the other side, or that he passed away, or he’s an angel now. I don’t. He’s dead, and that’s nowmylife. It’s his parents’ life, and Addie’s, and anyone else who came in contact with him over the years he spent on this earth.

I look toward the closed door that’s keeping the three of us separate from the few hundred people milling around the church.

Today is his funeral, and I have to talk about him. I have everything I want to say written. Even after reading the bookmarked portion of Marcus’s journal that Momma B handed me half an hour ago, I feel good about what I’m going to say.

With a deep breath through my nose, I blow it out shakily and look over to Addie with a smile. She looks absolutely gorgeous today. Normally, myotherbest friend wears bright colors and stylish clothes, but today she’s dressed in a beautiful, cap-sleeved black lace dress.

Looking to my other side, I deliver the same smile to Beau, who’s looking mouthwatering in his black suit and thin tie. It’s cut so perfectly; I can practically see the lines of his muscles. I melt at his deep concern in his gaze as he studies my face, looking for any sign that I’m going to dissolve into yet another fit of tears.

“You don’t need to worry. I’m not going to have another tantrum,” I tease.

His worry quickly turns into a scowl as he huffs out a breath. “Not a fuc–” He cuts himself off with a cough, remembering we’re sitting in a church, then he clears his throat. “Not a tantrum.”

I smile to myself and look back down at the journal, running my finger over it again. “This is beautiful to read. Did you know he wrote this?” I ask Addie.

She shakes her head slowly, frowning at the book. “I didn’t. I thoughtyouwere our resident writer.”

With a sigh, I stand up and turn to face them, holding the book to my chest like it’s the most valuable possession I’ve ever touched. “I’ll read the rest of it later, but the part that she wanted me to read was about our friendship. I think… I think maybe he knew something was going on with him. Not necessarily that it was as big as what ended up happening, but he knewsomething.”

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