Page 29 of More Trouble
We worked in silence, plating up the food and making fresh tea, before delivering the results to Scarlett, Lyla and Maddox. There was a small table and chairs in the corner of the living room, which Lyla and Maddox took. The rest of us ate off our knees sitting on the sofas.
Scarlett picked at her food, mostly pushing it around her plate. I wanted to tell her to eat because of the baby. I wanted to tell her to eat to keep her strength up. But I knew she would ignore me. She’d always been stubborn like that.
Lyla took on the role of bad guy instead. “Come on, Scar, you should try to eat something. Remember you’re eating for two.”
She scowled. “I hadn’t forgotten, Lyla. In fact, it’s one of the few things keeping me going right now; remembering I have a baby to care for. Even if I’m going to be doing it on my own.” Fresh tears falling down her face, she bolted from the room.
“Good one, Lyla,” snapped Andre. “Way to make her feel better.”
“I was only trying to help!” A tear ran down Lyla’s cheek and Maddox reached across the table to take her hand. It was such an odd thing to see, but strangely seemed absolutely right.
“I don’t think anything’s going to help Scarlett right now,” I chipped in. “Perhaps we need to think about what we say before we actually say it?”
“Maybe we need to give her some space,” suggested Maddox. “When we’re done eating, Lyla and I will go. Dre, you too?”
I didn’t want Andre to leave. He glanced over at me as if to gauge my reaction. I gave my head the barest of shakes.
“I’ll stay a little bit longer. There are a few things we’ll need to sort out.” He stood up and started to collect the dirty plates.
Maddox and Lyla did the same and we all ended up in the kitchen. There wasn’t really room for all of us.
“We’ll check in later,” said Maddox. “Let us know if you need anything.”
Lyla threw her arms around me. “I can’t believe you’re here, Willa. But I’m so glad you are. Scarlett needs you.” She cast a glance towards her brother. “And I think she’s not the only one.”
I felt my cheeks flush. If she knew what had happened in the bedroom before breakfast…
Suddenly, it was just Andre and me. I busied myself washing up the plates and silverware. Andre dried. We worked in silence until the kitchen was spotless. As I dried my hands on a dish towel, I wondered what to do next. There was little point in checking up on Tori. If the sweet sixteen meeting had been cancelled and our next job wasn’t until the weekend. I supposed I could start cooking up a bunch of meals for Scarlett, although it would mean a trip to the store. I wasn’t sure I was ready to see other people yet.
“We should contact the funeral home,” Andre said, out of the blue. “Arrange an appointment, find out what we need to do. I’m sure Scarlett won’t want to do it on her own.”
Nausea rose in my throat. His suggestion made everything real once more. Wes really wasn’t coming home ever. I’d never see him again. He was twenty-four. It didn’t make any sense. I gripped the counter, taking steadying breaths to stop the contents of my stomach reappearing.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“I don’t think any of us are really okay right now, do you?” I managed.
“Come on, let’s go and sit down for a while.” He took my arm and led me into the living room. “You should get some rest. It’s been one hell of a day.”
We sat on the sofa and I leaned against him. It felt so natural, as if I’d only done it yesterday. I breathed in his familiar scent and closed my eyes. With all the stresses of the past few hours, it wasn’t long before I fell asleep, my head resting on Andre’s shoulder.
Scarlett and Wes’ wedding was beautiful. She was wearing a gorgeous empire line white dress, which flowed perfectly over her growing baby bump. Her skin glowed and she looked every inch the serene mother-to-be. Wes was waiting for her at the end of the aisle, his eyes fixed solely on his bride. Andre and Maddox flanked him, looking gorgeously sexy in their matching tuxedos. Lyla and I followed close behind Scarlett, our own dresses a shade of sea green, both clutching bouquets of blue hydrangeas and white roses. We were walking towards Wes, walking so far, walking until we were tired, but never getting any closer. We walked for what seemed like miles and miles, but we never got to Wes…
I awoke with a start, not needing any kind of dream expert to tell me what the vision meant. I sagged a little, more exhausted than when I’d dozed off. As I came to, I realized I was wrapped in Andre’s embrace, exactly like we’d used to fall asleep when we had been together. It felt safe and familiar. Everything I needed to feel right now. I shifted slightly, not wanting to wake Andre.
Scarlett was sitting opposite us on the other sofa. Her lips lifted in a tiny smile. “You don’t know how happy it makes me to see you two together again.”
“We’re not together.” I frowned.
“I know you aren’t.” The smile faded. “With everything that’s happened, it gave me some comfort to see you content, even if only for a few minutes.”
“Oh, Scarlett.” I brushed Andre’s arms aside and went over to her, gathering her up.
Andre let out a snort as he came to with a start. “What the…” he mumbled, looking around to get his bearings.
Despite myself, I giggled. “Hey.”
He dragged a hand through his hair, seeming a little disoriented. “Hey,” he said. “I need to pee.” With great effort, he hauled himself up off the sofa and headed towards the bathroom.
