Page 45 of We End With Us

Fuck, we’ve really broken her.

“You have us, Nova, no matter what,” I tell her, closing the door behind me. The last thing I hear before I step away is Nova’s sob and Vicki comforting her.

The stairs creak softly as I head down, Jordy looking up when he spots me.

“Is she okay?” he asks. I shake my head because he already knows the answer to that.

Jordy sighs, dipping his head back.

“I hate that we fucked up, that she’s upset because of us, because we’re so fucking stupid.” He picks imaginary lint form his pants throwing it to the floor.

“We thought we were protecting her,” I remind him.

“Yeah,” he replies.

“How long do you think she’ll ignore us?” Bass questions.

Shrugging my shoulder because only time will tell. I mean, how long could Nova stay mad?

My lips tremblewhile they lower my father’s coffin into the ground. I've dreaded this day. I didn’t think I was going to make it today, but Vicki has been by my side reminding me I can do this.

Cass sits on my other side, while the others are strategically placed around the cemetery, even as mad at them as I am right now, I’m glad they ignored my request to leave me alone. After I received the box with roses yesterday, I knew I was in clear danger. Someone was after me and not just Carter and Miller, whoever this stranger was wasn’t going to stop.

A broken whimper escapes me as I watch the coffin lower. Cass grabs my hand in his hold it firmly, leaning my head on his shoulder, I cry silently into his jacket.

Cass’ lips brush against the top of my head and then he places a soft kiss on my hair.

My heart skips a bit at his affection. Even when I’m mad they still care, they’ve proven to me they’re not going anywhere, I just can’t forgive them, not yet.

Once I say goodbye to my father, I’m completely exhausted. Jordy comes toward us. “I’ll take Vicki home,” he says, knowing I'm thankful for him taking care of her even when he doesn't have to.

“Thank you,” I whisper to Vicki as she pulls me in for a hug.

“Of course.” she whispers back.

With one last look, they walk away leaving me staring after them and the many people who have crowded around the cemetery.

Cass wraps an arm around me tugging me to the truck. Bass has been by it the whole time, watching just like the others.

A few people give me their condolences on the way but I’m too strung out to even pay attention to who.

I just want today to be over.

Bass rubs his fingers across my cheek before opening the door to help me in.

I slide into the back while he takes the seat beside me. Cass and King hop in the front, they give each other a look before King eyes me in the rearview mirror.

King licks his lips then sighs, resting his head against the headrest before he opens his mouth.

“I need to tell you something, Nova, about me.” He eyes me again. I swallow, not sure I’m ready for whatever he’s about to tell me.

I nod, waiting. Resting my hands in my lap.

King gnaws on his bottom lip before he opens his mouth again. “I’m bi-sexual, and Bass and I,” he begins. Bass’ eyes go wide like he wasn’t expecting King to admit it out loud. My gaze flips to Bass whose eyes are firmly fixed on King. “I’m sorry I never admitted it, I was afraid,” King admits.

“Of what?” I murmur softly, my voice breaking as the words escape me.

“The same thing I was,” Bass admits.

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