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“Why on earth would you think that?”

She shrugs. “I don’t know. You know how I am. Sometimes, just a little bit silly.” Her expression is filled with amusement, reminding me of all the laughs we’ve had over the years. Since junior high school, we have always found something to laugh about. Whether it was our failing crushes on the popular boys at school or a pop quiz we well and truly flunked.

“You know, after all this time away, I’ve had time to think about where I’m headed.” She settles on a high stool at the breakfast counter and tugs me to sit on the one beside her. “I so much wanted to go back to DC, but…”

I think about her, Ares, Tarian, but most of all, I think about Etienne. He cares for me, and it’s no longer a secret that I care for him, too. But I don’t know if I’ll ever be free of my past to think about a relationship. Outside, I wanted to admit that to him, but his mother walked out, breaking the moment.

“Tell me, Cupcake,” Dahlia urges, using my nickname from our younger years. It makes me laugh, but only for a second, before I remember why I’m really here.

“Fergus isn’t just going to walk away if he doesn’t get what he wants.” She nods, and I continue, “And Thane, who apparently is my real father, I mean… How do I even come back from that?”

“Who says you need to come back from it? I lost my father, I watched him get shot right in front of me.” Her admission hurts my heart, and my soul cries for my best friend. “But I healed somehow. Ares was there for me, helping me even through a few dark moments, and I can promise you one thing, even though I don’t have any family who are related by blood, I feel more loved now than I ever have been.”

“And you’re okay with just being here?”

She smiles; it’s a sad, yet friendly one. I’ve seen my best friend for so many years, but right now, in this kitchen, she’s all grown up. She’s a woman, and I feel like a child beside her.

“Nothing is ever easy, and I can’t tell you it will be, but we’re a family—the boys and me, and we have Billy who comes over every week to check up on us. We’re all grown up, Cupcake,” she grins happily. “It’s time we make our own path.”

“You’re right.” I nod.

“Do you want to rest for a while? I’m making dinner, and we can sit tonight and talk as long as you want.” My best friend has been turned into a housewife before my eyes.

“Who knew you’d be cooking for the boys,” I laugh, and we both burst into a fit of giggles. The tension that hung heavily over us dissipates somewhat, and I finally believe I’m going to be okay.

Her smile is filled with happiness; it’s real, and I can’t help but feel a slight hint of jealousy that she’s got what I always wanted. A real family. It’s something I know my mother wanted for me, she tried to run, and she couldn’t get away. Now I learn that my father is an evil maniac.

“Let me show you to the guest room,” Dahlia tells me, breaking through the dark thoughts that take hold of me. As she leads me through the kitchen to the staircase, I notice Etienne and his mother still having a heated debate. I want to know what they’re saying, but I have to follow Dahlia. “This is yours. I’ll leave you to get settled and see you downstairs for dinner.”

With a long hug, one that makes my chest ache, she leaves me to do my thing, and I can’t help but feel less nervous now that I’m in my own space.

The bedroom, that’s now mine, is stunning. It’s bigger than the apartment I stayed in with dad, Fergus, after mom died. Settling on the mattress, I glance around, feeling exhaustion consume me.

I lie back and shut my eyes, hoping that sleep will be kind, and I won’t have any nightmares tonight.

19

Rukaiya

A resounding click causes my eyes to snap open, and I shoot up from the dreamless sleep that held me in its warmth. When I turn my gaze to the doorway, I find Etienne standing on the threshold watching me.

He’s leaning on the doorframe, his arms crossed in front of his chest, and his smirk firmly in place. Every inch of him is covered in black material—jeans, T-shirt, and socks. He’s not wearing shoes, and I wonder briefly if I’m daydreaming.

“I didn’t want to wake you,” he speaks, breaking the spell and clearing my sleep riddled brain. “You looked so peaceful, but I needed to talk to you.” He enters the room, without asking permission, and shuts the door behind him. Once again, the click echoes louder than I expect it to. The silence that surrounds us feels heavy, as if Etienne is bringing bad news. And I don’t want that, I need good news.