Page 61 of Unspoken Lies

“Depression,” she says, shrugging weakly. “Things are a lot better now, but I struggled to make the transition to living alone.”

“I couldn’t have her at home for obvious reasons,”Mr. Reyes adds.

“I know there was a lot going on, but you fucked up,” Ignacio says. “Rachelle, you essentially came back from the dead, baby. You were so pale when I pulled you out of there. Your lips…”

“I wish you hadn’t seen me like that,” Rachelle whispers, turning to hug Nacio.

So many private moments we’re intruding on, so little time.

“Are we a form of exposure therapy?” Theo asks suddenly. “I have to say, we’re probably the wrong people for that. We aren’t gentle. I threw Elijah into a pool once when he insisted that he was suddenly afraid of water when he was six.”

My lips twist at the memory. I freaked the fuck out, but it did cure me of it. I told the guys later that my mother attempted to drown me for leaving my room a mess. Theo felt like shit about it, but it was water under the bridge at that point.

“Kind of,”Mr. Reyes says. “Consider it more so people who check in with her who are closer than I am.”

“Why can’t we be those people?” Liliana asks. “I’m not trying to be the pushy girlfriend, but nothing short of an airstrike is going to affect this house.”

“I can’t move in with you,” Rachelle says with mild amusement.

“Why not?” Nacio asks. “I live here too. I want to breathe my girls in and know they’re with me.”

Rachelle shivers as she appears to melt into his body. I want to punch my ex-boyfriend. Fuck, I’m like a toddler whose toys have been taken from him. I’ve done everything to break Rachelle, and now that I have, I want to help put her back together.

Isn’t that a mind fuck? I’m a damn mess.

“I need to figure out my life instead of bringing my messiness in,” she says. “When did you get out of prison?”

“Three weeks ago,” he grumbles. “I thought I’d get more time because I kind of killed someone.”

“I suppose you should tell her about that,”Mr. Reyes chimes in. “Boys, I mean it. This could trigger a remission to all the hard work she’s been putting in. I’ve known you all your entire lives. You’re better than the men you’ve been showing the world. Act like it.”

The phone clicks as he hangs up and I roll my eyes. That’s the most proficient mic drop that I’ve ever experienced. Of course it was from Nacio’s father.

“I guess we’ll see you at work tomorrow,” Jared says, stretching his neck. “Is your phone number the same as the one on your employment forms?”

“Yes,” she says softly. “Why?”

“I’m making a group chat. If you don’t respond within five minutes, one of us will appear at your apartment.”

“I don’t have my phone,” she says indignantly. “I’m also not at my apartment. Isn’t that logic incorrect?”

“Nope, you’ll have to return for both, so that's what we’re going with,” he says. “We’re going to double back there and replace a few of your locks and close your window. Is there a magical way to get out of the house, Liliana?”

“No, I haven’t rearmed the security yet,” she says. “Don’t let the door hit you in the ass.”

“She may be your girlfriend, but Mr. Reyes effectively gave her to us,” Jared says with a smirk. “Rachelle, I’m throwing my hat in the ring. We’ve all been affected by your supposed death.”

“It’s not supposed to be easy if you’re a ghost of your former self,” I remind him.

Jared stops for a moment, gazing at Rachelle. “Nah,” he says. “She’s still in there.”

A tear escapes from her eye as we take our leave, and my heart clenches.

“I’m not good at putting people back together,” Theo says as we walk out the little gate in front of Liliana's house. If she was anyone else, I’d say that this looked like the home of someone older who enjoyed their privacy, maybe had some kids.

Her statement about an airstrike being the only thing that could take this house out makes me pause though. I bet there are bulletproof windows and shit too.

Lips twitching, I make an obnoxious ‘ah-roof’ sound. “You can learn new tricks, old boy,” I tell Theo. “Stop making excuses. I love you two, you’re my ride or die, but something is missing for me.”