Loving War(73)

When we get there, she waits on me to open the door, but Dane is right behind me, calling my name loudly at the wrong time.

“Don’t go,” Tria says, casting a hard look toward the man everyone adores. “He shouldn’t be doing this right now.”

Rain is tugging on Dane’s arm, probably telling him to cool down. Neither girl knows the extent of our issues, so they don’t understand why he’s so pissed. Unfortunately, I get it. Now.

“Just let me tell him to shut up,” I say softly, kissing her head before making my way toward my fuming brother.

Several others pass by me as I backtrack, and Dane shrugs Rain off as he storms toward me.

“How long have you been scheming this bullshit up?” he growls, drawing a few gasps and head-turns.

“Dane!” Rain hisses, grabbing his arm again and trying to pull him back.

“Later, Dane. Not here. Not now. Your girl might not need you right now, because she didn’t love that asshole. But my girl does need me. You can say whatever you want later.”

His brow furrows, as if he’s confused, and I walk away to rejoin Tria. My arm immediately goes around her shoulders, and I bite back a grin when she flips Dane off. Apparently she doesn’t find him so perfect in this moment.



***

TRIA



I don’t know what Kode and Dane said to each other, but I can guess. I can’t believe Dane would do this right now. Here of all places.

Even though I was trying so hard not to fall apart, I was already on the verge of a breakdown when suddenly Kode was right there, pulling me to him like he knew I needed him. I’ve never been so grateful for anything in all my life.

I never wanted to lose it in front of him, but I couldn’t help it. It was too much, and he held me to him like he couldn’t imagine doing anything else. Kode was the only one who knew I was hurting.

Dane saw me in that church. He knows I broke. Yet he wants to accost his brother in the middle of the graveyard for being a damn good person, just because he thinks it has something to do with Rain.

“I’ve got you,” Kode says against my temple as we reach the rest of the crowd. His lips brush my head gently, and I lean into him and wrap my arms around his waist. He doesn’t hesitate to return the embrace, and I hold him as my tears slip free.

The gentle patterns he rubs on my back are soothing and comforting as the casket slowly lowers into the ground, burying the two fathers I knew—the one who loved me, and the coward who ran away.

Dane looks our way, but his expression has changed. He doesn’t look like he’s ready to kill Kode right now. I’m sure I shocked him by giving him the bird in the middle of the graveyard, but he was pissing me off.

Maybe Kode has rubbed off on me more than I realized.

That thought has me smiling ever so slightly for the first time since I heard about my father’s death.

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.