Page 89 of Shattering

Eila's eyes lit up. "Oh? A new friend?"

Tomos squirmed, suddenly very interested in his plate. "She's alright."

Derrik grinned. "Bet she's more than alright, lad."

Cadi smirked. "Bet she thinks you're fast, too."

Tomos groaned, burying his face in his hands. "Ugh. You're all so emb-" He stopped, frowning in frustration before trying again. "Emb-er-"

Cadi bit her lip, trying not to laugh. "Embarrassing?"

Tomos huffed. "Yeah! That!"

Derrik chuckled. "You were doin' fine till yer ears went red, lad."

Tomos ignored him, still grumbling, but then straightened, as if suddenly remembering something important.

"She plays rugby, y'know," he said, trying to sound casual. "Better than James."

Cadi raised a brow. "But not better than you?"

Tomos scowled. "'Course not!"

Eila let out a delighted laugh. "Oh, I like this girl already."

Tomos groaned again, flopping dramatically against the table. "I'm never tellin' you anythin' again."

And just like that, the warmth returned.

Until the doorbell rang.

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Eila got up first. Cadi had a bad feeling before her mother even opened the door.

The second Regan stepped inside, her eyes flickered around, searching.

For Gray.

When she didn't find him, her shoulders relaxed.

Cadi swallowed the sharp words that rose to her tongue. Not today.

They sat at the dining table, but the conversation was stilted. Cadi made excuses and said her goodbyes even as Tomos was loudly protesting

"But we just got here, Ma"

Once outside, she focused on strapping Tomos into his car seat, her hands steady even as her insides churned with anger.

And then-

"Cadi."

The voice was hesitant, unsure.

Cadi looked over her shoulder. Cold. Unreadable.

Regan shifted on her feet, looking around self-consciously, as if waiting for someone to rescue her from this.

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