Page 54 of Not Her Day to Die (Star-Crossed #2)

“ S unday! Sunday! Wake up!”

“Huh? Wha–”

Arms wrap around me. “You scared me.” Veronica clutches me to her.

I’m still coming to, but I hug her back. “I’m fine, I was just dreaming.”

Behind us the door slams open. “What’s going on?”

“Nothing! Get out!” Veronica yells over my shoulder.

It takes a few, but I hear the door clink shut again.

“I’m sorry. Your breathing was so shallow and your face seemed extra pale. And fuck. William is dead.” Her voice breaks. “Does it get any easier?”

“Some days. You ready to get up?”

She drops her hold on me, getting up from the bed and appraising the room, her lips quirk at the sight of Auggie’s hoodie. “I miss him, too. He was the sweetest man, the best boyfriend I could ask for. He always put me first.”

“It sounds like he also put you in danger.” I grab the hoodie out of the box, offering it to her. “If you want it. I have a few.”

“He didn’t know how dangerous it was, he thought it was just teenagers drugging girls.

And when we knew it was more, I wouldn’t let him stop me.

” She takes his hoodie from me, clutching it to her chest. “It’s just us now, Sunday.

And the other O’Briens.” Her eyes crinkle in humor, breaking through her frown. “All three of them? ”

My cheeks heat in embarrassment. “It’s crazy, isn’t it? I dated their brother . Their dead brother.” I flinch at the words. At how they might land.

Veronica winces but doesn’t react otherwise.

“It is a bit insane, but so is this town. So is what you have gone through. What we have gone through. If they make you happy, and it works? Then who fucking cares. God knows I wish I had that support system. But I called my mom. She’s going to be here soon to pick me up. ”

“Good. And you have my number, if you ever need me, I’m just a call away.”

Veronica grasps the hoodie tighter to her. “Are you sure I can have this? I miss him too, you know? I was just beginning to accept a world without him, and now–” Her bottom lip wobbles. She breathes in and out a few times.

“Yes, I’m sure. He would have wanted you to have it.” Turning behind me, I grab a change of clothes for her. “My clothes might not fit you exactly right, but they should make do until your mom is here. Unless you want us to take you by your home.”

Veronica stiffens. “No, I don’t want to see our dad .

Other than maybe to witness the look on his face when he realizes his son is dead.

That in some convoluted way it’s his fault.

He never took part in the despicable bits of this town, but he turned a blind eye, he helped cover up their crimes, he fucking held onto Auggie’s car.

And he is evil in his own way.” She rubs her neck anxiously.

I can tell there’s more to it than that, in the way her breathing turns erratic, in the cadence of her voice, but I don’t push her.

“Bathroom is through there, take a shower, relax your body to make up for how bad your mind feels. ”

“Yeah.” She takes the clothes from me listlessly before walking to the bathroom.

Leaving me to my thoughts. Leaving me to the realization that it is finally.

Officially.

Over.

But now what?