Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 100628 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 503(@200wpm)___ 403(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100628 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 503(@200wpm)___ 403(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
“That’s the uncle Mick is named after?” Nova asked me quietly.
“That’s the one,” I replied hoarsely.
“Oh,” she breathed, reaching out to weave her fingers between mine.
“They don’t talk about it much,” I said, glancing at her. “They talk about Uncle Micky, but they don’t talk about what happened.”
“Makes sense,” she whispered. “I wouldn’t want to talk about it either.”
“Yeah.”
“Where are we going?” she asked in confusion.
“My place.”
“Why?”
“We can’t go home yet,” Ash said, her voice distant.
“I’ve got an extra bedroom,” I said as I turned onto my street. “It’s empty now, but—” I stopped speaking when I got a good look at my house. There were cars lining both sides of the street and people walking in and out my front door.
“What are they doing?” Nova asked, sitting forward.
“I’ve got no clue,” I muttered as I pulled into the driveway. “But I’m gettin’ my key back from Olive.”
“Nova,” Meg called, jogging toward the car as soon as I’d parked. She threw open Nova’s door and leaned in to hug her before Nova even had her seat belt off.
“Careful,” I barked, imagining all the ways one of Meg’s hugs could cause Nova pain.
“I’m being careful,” Meg said, her face still in Nova’s hair. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”
Bird and Ash got out of the car as I reached over to unbuckle Nova. She was still frozen in place, her arms around Meg as they whispered to each other.
“What the hell is going on?” I asked, getting out as Olive came striding toward us.
“How’s she doing?”
“About how you’d expect,” I said as Olive hugged me. “Why is my house full of people?”
“Not people,” she said with a small laugh. “Just the club.”
“We just left them at the hospital.”
“No, you left the men,” she corrected as we watched Meg help Nova out of the SUV. “We’ve been getting your house ready for visitors for the last couple of hours.”
I followed Nova into the house, and my eyes widened. There was enough food to feed an entire army lining my countertops and kitchen table. My brother Otto grunted at me as he carried a couple of dresser drawers into the guest bedroom. I followed him to find my cousin Lily and her daughter Harper making up a queen-size bed that I’d pretty sure I’d seen before—but not in my house.
“Harp,” I said, my lips pulling into an involuntary smile. “When did you get home?”
“Yesterday,” she said, stopping to come hug me. “I swore my parents to secrecy so I could have a day to decompress.”
“I thought you were doin’ some internship this summer?”
“Didn’t work out,” she replied with a shrug. “How’s Nova?”
“She’s in the living room,” I said, moving out of her way so she could pass me. “Careful, she’s got broken ribs.”
“When have you ever known my daughter to be less than careful?” Lily asked, huffing as she straightened the comforter.
“We thought this would be easier on everyone,” my mom said, coming up behind me to wrap her arms around my waist. “Okay?”
“Yeah, Ma,” I said, turning to wrap my arm around her shoulders. “Damn, you guys came through.”
There was a fully prepared bed and dresser, a large area rug covering the clean but stained carpeting I hadn’t replaced yet, and they’d even put curtains on the window.
“You look ready to fall over,” she said, rubbing my back. “Now that you’re here, we’ll clear out.”
Bird was passed out on the couch by the time everyone had finally said goodbyes and left. When the front door finally closed behind the last person, Ash and Nova stood in the living room looking shell-shocked.
“They meant well,” I said dumbly, glancing down at Bird.
“Club always comes through.” Ash smiled sadly. “Thank you for letting us stay the night, Rumi.”
“Of course,” I replied instantly. I suddenly felt awkward and presumptuous. I’d needed Nova close, and I hadn’t even asked what Ash wanted to do. Maybe she would’ve rather stayed in a hotel room. As I opened my mouth to offer to bring her somewhere else if she’d be more comfortable, she spoke.
“It’s good for the kids to wake up somewhere familiar,” she murmured, coming toward me. She reached up with both hands and cupped my face. “You’re a good boy. Don’t stay away so long next time.”
“I’m not goin’ anywhere,” I choked out.
“I know.” She let go of my face and walked toward Nova. “I’m going to get changed and lay down, okay?”
“Alright, Nanny,” Nova said softly, gripping Ash’s hand for a moment before letting her go.
Then it was just me and Nova and snoring Bird.
“Brenna left some pajamas for Nana,” Nova said, looking toward the guest room. “Can I borrow something of yours?”
“Of course.” I burst into motion, hurrying toward my room. When I got to my dresser, I paused, staring. I must have been there for a minute, because eventually Nova followed me.