Page 9 of We End With Us

The sound of a car door opening has me lifting my head toward the door.

“He’s home,” Cass says.

It’d been a crazy night. Everything happened so fast, even I’m not sure if it all really did. Jordy had left a while ago and said he had something to do and he’d be back. It was something to do with his parents, and I didn't ask questions knowing he’d explain when he could.

Now I was beginning to wonder what that was.

The door opens, and Jordy enters smiling. Throwing his keys down on the bench, he watches as I stand hearing the footsteps behind him.

The moment he enters it’s like time stands still, as if all the air is sucked from me in one instant.

Fuck, he’s really here.

My eyes fill unable to hold back the emotion of seeing him here. He’s supposed to be gone.

He was gone.

“What's with the sad faces? he murmurs.

Swallowing the lump building in my throat, I look between Jordy and Cass.

“You fucking knew?”

Cass has the audacity to look to the ground before Jordy says, “We were protecting you in case.”

“In case what?” I shout anger coursing through me. King’s chest rises and falls watching me. He has the audacity to look away.

“Bass.” His voice holds warning. Taking a step toward me, King’s hand comes down on my shoulder, his gaze burning through mine.

“I asked them.”

“No, fuck you,” I growl, cutting him off. He flinches, and my eyes crash shut.

They lied to me, to Nova, and made us believe King was gone.

I feel betrayed, like everything is just slipping away. And I can’t catch my breath.

“King.” Nova breathes behind us.

Tiptoeing down the stairs like she’s unsure if she’s in a dream right now, she comes to a stop in front of him. King towers over her, eyeing her as he stares down. “King,” she breathes again. Reaching her hand up, her fingers brush against his chin.

“Hey, princess,” he murmurs, giving her a cocky grin.

Leaping for him, King catches her just in time. Fisting his shirt, she sobs into his chest.

“Hey, baby. Ssh,” he says, kissing the top of her head. His eyes catch mine as he lifts his gaze.

“Is it really you?” she cries.

“It’s me, princess,” he replies. Jordan comes to stand next to Cass and me, and King eyes us over Nova’s shoulder.

His unspoken words are enough. We’ll talk later.

Nova holds him tight, forcing a grunt to leave him.

“I’m so sorry,” she mutters, gently rubbing her hand over his abdomen.

“It’s okay, princess. I’d gladly hurt like this if it meant you didn't have to.”

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