Page 86 of Find Me in the Rain
I lift my head up, letting the water blend with the wetness already on my cheeks. The coldness is refreshing and numbing at the same time.
Each drop that hits my face brings me a little closer to calm. And by the time my breathing is normal, I’m drenched head to toe.
I turn and place my hands on the banister of the stairs. But not before something catches my eye.
Not something, but someone.
And not just anyone.
I take my first step off the stairs and run as fast as I can.
And I don’t stop until Alec’s arms are around me, and the closest thing I’ve felt to peace in days settles into my chest.
24
Home.
My home.
I breathe him in, and his arms tighten around me. After engulfing myself in his embrace for what feels like minutes, I pull back.
And that’s when I notice he’s not alone. Cam stands to his right and Reed to his left. And my heart feels warmth at the support they’re giving me even though we’ve only known each other for a short time.
They’re all dressed head to toe in the finest suits, which now definitely need to go to the dry cleaners.
I offer their saddened eyes a soft smile. “Thank you guys for coming.”
My eyes slowly drift back to Alec. Dark circles surround his eyes, and my heart twists for the pain I’ve caused him.
I want to say something to him, anything. But I can’t get any words out.
My mouth opens and closes over and over as tears flood down my cheeks, and my head shakes back and forth, until he takes a step closer to me, his hands falling gently to my arms.
His hazel eyes meet mine, and I swallow the lump in my throat. “You don’t have to say a single word right now, Laura. Let’s go back inside.”
My head involuntarily shakes; I’m afraid that I’m going to spiral again and run.
His right hand glides down my arm and interlocks with my fingers, the raindrops following his touch. “I know it’s hard, Lu. I know. But I’m guessing Jack is in there, scared of where you went, and you need to be there for him.”
I sigh. He’s always known what to say to me, just the right thing. I nod my head, and he leads me inside to face the biggest heartbreak I’ll ever know, his hand locked with mine, our hearts reaching to intertwine.
When we get back inside the church, Jack jumps right into Alec’s arms, in a similar fashion as I did.
The funeral service is … hard. Seeing her face the same way I did for months feels like we are still in the hospital and I am just waiting for her to wake up. But she’s never going to open her eyes again, and I think it will be a long time before I’m willing to accept it.
My mind is empty the rest of the service. I feel like I should be crying harder, having more emotion. But nothing can break through. I think I might have already used my lifetime supply of tears.
Alec offers to give Jack and me a ride home, which we accept. Cam and Reed ride with Char and Josh, who are happy to oblige.
The short ride back to the house is ridden in silence, so many unsaid words hanging in the air between our lips.
When we pull into the driveway, the only thought on my mind is my bed. But the only thought on my heart is Alec. I haven’t decided if I have the strength to send him away again. And I’m starting to think he deserves the respect of a choice.
Jack’s saddened face smiles at me as we walk inside. Everyone else beat us here, and Char walks straight to Jack when we reach the living room. She knows Alec and I need to talk. And I’m so thankful for her ability to read my mind.
Jack stretches his arms out and lets Char pick him up and carry him to the living room. I hear her offer him ice cream and candy as Alec and I ascend the staircase. I don’t even have the energy to shoot her a look at her suggested “meal.”
Alec closes the door behind him as I sit on the edge of my bed. The floor is his to start. I’m the one who’s already done all the damage.
