Page 106 of Shadow and Skulls

My gaze goes back to the others. They’re all making lanterns. I smile, remembering the light festival we had back home every year. That’s when it hits me. This is for Kelsie.

And they included me.

Jesse sits down across from me, leaning her head on Dan’s shoulder. He gives her a quick peck on the top of it as he narrows his eyes at me.

It’s because of her. Jesse is the reason I’m sitting here.

“At least tell me she’s okay at the school.”

He scowls. “Why wouldn’t she be?”

I don’t want to tell her business, but I’m genuinely worried about her. She left my trailer in the middle of the night while I was asleep. I never got a chance to talk to her.

“Lily is with her,” he says when he sees concern play over my face. “You don’t have to stalk her every fucking minute of the day.”

Jesse laughs, looking over her shoulder at her own brooding stalker. Dirk leans back, blowing smoke rings over his head, his gaze only leaving her long enough to flick over his daughter and granddaughter. Then it goes back to his wife.

“She came to me last night.” I rub my temples, not wanting to betray her trust, but I need to know she’s okay. I want him to tell me that little fuck, Matt, didn’t hurt her.

He doesn’t say anything, and I wonder if it was a mistake to bring it up. Great, he’s going to kick me out. I’m such a fucking idiot.

“Told you that you could trust him.” Jesse tips her head back, smiling up at him sweetly.

He grunts back at her, rolling his eyes. Then he leans forward, whispering quietly so Charlotte doesn’t hear.

“He didn’t hurt her. However, it did trigger her, and she’s working through it.”

I nod, breathing a sigh of relief.

Charlotte runs her finger over the lantern they made, staring at the flame inside. It’s beautiful. It’s made of glass, and there are a pair of frosted white wings in the center.

“It reminds me of my mommy. I hope it reminds her of hers,” she says softly.

Katie pulls at one of her curls gently. “I’m sure it will, baby.”

“Kelsie didn’t want to bother us with planning a memorial service for her mom. She planned on spreading her ashes in the river this weekend, but Lily thought this would be a nice way of reminding her that the whole club is here for her. The lantern festival is one of her favorite memories with her mother.”

“We’re going to make it a yearly event,” Jesse continues when Dan quiets.

My fingers wrap around my own throat, because I have some pretty good memories of the festival myself. I swallow hard. “It was called the light festival back home. They hold it every October.”

“Was it something they did for Halloween?” Jesse asks.

“No. I don’t really know how it started. My grandmother told me it was held every fall to remind us to always look for the light even through the darkness of winter.”

The night goes by quickly as everyone works hard on their lanterns. It’s fun actually. There’s plenty of food, drink, music, and laughter.

Charlotte watches me cut through the tin on the lantern I’m working on. I’m making mine exactly like one my grandmotherand I made. It will be perfect for Kelsie. Maybe it was a sign placed in the past, linking me to our future …

I smile to myself, hoping she likes it.

Chapter Forty-Six

Kelsie

Iclap for the cheerleaders as they cheer on the basketball team. The whole town thought they would lose without their star players, but they’re nailing it. Personally, I think it’s because Matt’s toxicity is gone. I’ve never seen them play better. It almost makes me want to put that uniform back on and join Lexi. Almost.

Jason is sitting on the other side of my mom. Not how he wanted his season to end, sitting in the bleachers, but I think he’s happier than I’ve ever seen him. He looks relieved.

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