Page 182 of As the Rain Falls
Her hands tighten around the diary. “I’d really like that, thanks. But now I also have this. It’s more than just a voice in my head. It’s her. This is Lucia.”
Antony goes still, watching her with some kind of heartbroken look in his face. I don’t even have to check the mirror to know my face probably looks the same right now.
“I know it’s all stupid, but I feel so relieved,” Angelina lets out a shaky breath, a single tear trailing down her cheek. “This is everything to me.”
“She used to write everything down, right?” I pick up the drill and check to see if the driving tool is properly attached. “Maybe reading will help you.”
“Oh, definitely,” the brown-haired girl grins. “I can’t wait to see what she has to say about all the dumb shit we did together.”
“God.” Antony blinks rapidly, fighting tears himself. “Jesus, you’re going to make me cry, woman.”
Out of all of us, Tony is the biggest crier.
He cries at the movies, at weddings, and when a really good song starts to play on the radio. My sister thought it was funny that someone who looks so grumpy and tough like he does could turn out to be so incredibly sensitive.
Angelina drops the diary on the floor, opening her arms to both of us. “Group hug, please?”
It takes us less than a second for us to move. Antony crashes into her, and I crash into them. Our arms wrap around each other in a tight hug.
Pepé watches us from the bed, rolling his judgmental little eyes at us. He doesn’t know any better, with his paws and his fur, but group hugs are good for the soul.
I promptly flip him off.
***
Antony leaves after a while, but Angelina stays.
I get the feeling that she doesn’t want to leave me alone after the day we’ve just had. It’s a nice gesture, and I really appreciate her trying to be a good friend to me, but I don’t think she needs to worry about that.
I’m really doing fine, all things considered, even though I’m still not anywhere near figuring out why Lucia decided to drink and drive that night.
Before I can tell her to go home, she drops her body next to mine on the couch, stretching her long legs over the coffee table.
“I gave your neighbor another shot,” she announces with a tight smile.
I promptly shoot her a quick glance, feeling surprised to learn that she took my advice. “And?”
“She’s still dating the Monteiro dumbass,” she deadpans.
“Okay,” I answer softly, crossing my arms over my chest. “Is that really a problem to you?”
Angelina rolls her eyes. “Of course, it is. I could never be friends with someone who is going out with the guy who hurt me, Beckett. That’s precisely the worst friend you could ever pick for yourself.”
Her words sting.
Cassandra is Nathaniel’s sister.
And sure, his prank was probably just that—a prank. But it still hurts my feelings. It involved someone I love and care about. And here I am, thinking about her at every twist and turn, defending her even.
What are the chances she takes his side instead of mine now that things are awkward?
I’d take Lucia’s side any day, no matter what.
Would Cassandra do the same for him?
Well, in some ways, she already has.
“I don’t get why you care about her so much. What is it about her?” Angelina asks, glancing at me sideways. “Is it because she took care of Pepé? Or is there something more you’re just not telling me about?”
