Page 58 of Splintered Memories
August cleared his throat as Raleigh stifled a chuckle. “That party is supposed to be a surprise, Hailey.”
Hailey raised her brows. “I thought it was only a surprise for Lark and Uncle Reidsy.” She shrugged. “That’s what you said.”
August ran a hand through his hair as he sighed.
I gave him a questioning look.
“So, we’ve kind of been planning a party to commemorate the upcoming wedding. Lark and Reid didn’t want any kind of shower or bachelor/bachelorette party, so we’re going to throw them a joint celebration. Nothing too big.”
“Oh,” I stuttered. “When?”
“Next week.”
I blinked. That seemed fast. I wiped my mouth with a napkin and took a quick drink of water. “Is there anything I can do to help with the party?” I was, after all, the maid of honor. Even though I didn’t have a clue about planning parties.
August shook his head, but it was Raleigh who answered, “Oh, no, honey.” She leaned back in her seat and sipped red wine. “I’ve got everything under control. Hailey and I have been having a blast planning the whole shebang.”
Hailey nodded. “I picked out the best decorations. You should be really excited to see them!”
I couldn’t help it; I smiled at that. August’s eyes had softened when I looked back at him, his mouth tipped up too.
“Trust me, my mother is more than happy to put on the event,” he assured me.
I had no question about that.
23
Emersyn
Wedidn’tstaylongafter dinner. I was glad, because even though the food had been amazing, my energy was already drained from being around so many people after that week I’d had.
But there was a part of me that never wanted to leave this place. Dinner with Raleigh, Warner, Hailey, and August felt like being a part of a real, functioning family. It was something I had only dreamt of throughout the years, had glimpses of it with my siblings and my Uncle Amos.
August and I said our goodbyes, and I lingered in the final hug that Raleigh gave me. It was so easy to let her hold me like that—like a mother.
Warner wrapped a strong arm around my shoulders and pulled me into his side, planting a soft kiss on the top of my head. “Don’t be a stranger,” he said as he let me go.
Hailey wrapped her arms around my waist and squeezed tight. “I think I like you,” she declared thoughtfully.
I chuckled, returning her hug. “I think I might like you, too.” I gave her a wink, and she beamed at me.
August waved one last time before he grabbed my hand and led me out the front door.
It was already dark as we descended the front porch and walked across the street to the one-story house we shared the past week. I hadn’t realized we were there so long. Time had gone so quickly.
But as we approached August’s small house, the weight returned to my chest.
August unlocked the door, and we stepped inside. He pressed a button on the security system after closing the door behind us.
It wasn’t that I didn’t like August’s home. It was a sweet place to stay. Yes, it wasn’t very big, but it was charming. The walls were a soft, bright shade of blue and the worn, wooden floors were stained a rich, dark brown. The kitchen and the bathrooms had been renovated and were clean and bright. I should have no complaints.
Yet, it was like all the air left my lungs when I stepped inside. Everything I’d been trying to avoid crashed down on me, invading my brain. Maybe if I had been brought here under any other circumstances, it would have been perfectly pleasant staying in this tiny home with a man I cared about.
But I lost my home. I lost my brother. I lost everything I had worked so hard for, and I didn’t know whether I was ever going to get it back.
A burn radiated through my chest. I thought August might have said something to me, but I didn’t look at him. I looked down at my feet as I mumbled something under my breath and made a beeline for my bedroom.
I closed the door behind me, leaning against it and gulping for air. That burning sensation laced across my ribs, and I choked on the sob I could not let go.
