Aunt Melanie hands me a rose, and I lean away from Kode as I slowly take it and make my way toward the grave. Rain drops hers in with a sad look, but there are no tears. I’ve already reached the point of not caring how messy my sobs have gotten. So I don’t bother wiping the few tears that fall when I drop in my own rose.
Mom moves toward the grave as I walk back toward Kode. I turn around when I reach him, and he wraps both arms around me and tugs my back flush against his front. I watch with a fractured heart as Mom breaks, her tears bursting free as she shakes with her sobs.
“You son of a bitch!” she yells, dropping to her knees.
Kode moves with me, and my aunts reach her just as I do. Kode helps her back to her feet, and she turns in his arms to sob against his chest. He looks uneasy and uncomfortable while he tries to console her. Just minutes ago he was soothing me with effortless ease.
Dane comes over, and Mom turns to grab him, gripping the lapels of his suit coat while burrowing her face into his chest. Kode looks relieved while coming to my side again.
For two days, Rain and I have slept in Mom’s bed like we were little kids that were afraid of the dark. Only we were there to keep her from being afraid of the dark instead of the other way around.
They start covering the hole while Mom continues to unravel on Dane, and he does all he can to ease her pain with his gentle touch. Kode’s hand slides back around my waist, tugging me to him and kissing my hair.
“Are you staying with Eleanor tonight?” he asks softly as people start to disperse.
“My aunts are staying with her tonight. I was hoping I could stay with you.”
His arms tighten around me, and he nuzzles me gently. “You’re welcome to stay as long as you want to, Tria. I didn’t want you leaving just because Pete was gone.”
For the second time in a long two days, I smile. That’s exactly what I needed to hear right now.
“Can we go now?” I ask, looking up at him.
He smiles down at me with those soft eyes no one else ever gets to see. “Anything you want.”
Chapter 24
KODE
“Where’s Tria?” Dane asks as he steps inside my house.
I’ve been dreading this conversation since the funeral five days ago. I’m surprised it has taken him this long.
“She had a business meeting with her new team. She’ll be back soon.”
He looks around as we near the living room, his eyes falling on the several items that prove a girl is living with me. Tria’s lip gloss is on the coffee table, her running shoes are setting by the glass doors, and her girly candles are here and there in certain places. If he thinks this is obvious, then he should see the master bathroom.
“I talked to Dale and the guys. They apparently figured it out a while back. Call me stupid or blind.” His face is expressionless, and his voice is even, which makes it impossible to read his mood.
“You’re about to get married. Your mind is a little preoccupied,” I say mildly, trying not to be the one to spark a feud first.
He leans back, propping his ass on the back of my sofa, and stuffs his hands into his jean pockets while studying me.
“Dale seems to think you’re in love with her. Why Tria, Kode? You fucking hated her. Why would you go after Tria?”
He’s obviously reining in his anger, because he’s definitely not happy with the fact I have the other Noles sister. The one actually made for me.
“Well, you kind of can’t help who you fall for, Dane. Falls aren’t usually planned. If they’re planned, they’re called jumps.”
I expect a grin or something, but I get nothing besides crickets. Well, this conversation is going great.
“Dane, I’m not going to apologize for—”
“Do you love her?” he asks, interrupting me.
Though I really don’t want to have this conversation with him before I have it with my girl, I guess I sort of owe him an explanation.
With a heavy sigh, I prop up beside him and stare at the wall. There’s now a picture hanging there—Tria and me in bed. It’s just a face shot with me kissing her cheek while she snaps the picture. But it’s probably my favorite thing in the house right now.