Page 28 of Ethan's Sky

I grew up here. We comforted each other when shit happened, even if we didn’t fully understand why or what that shit was. Most of the younger Oak Ridge guys having went to school with me. Jake and Hawk are slightly older than me. They were friends with Ethan when we were dating my last year of high school.

The older members, like Gus, Caleb, Gabe, Mack, and Jameson, watched over me as a child and when they needed me to, I babysat their kids. We all know each other, though everyone’s changed and grown over the years. It’s a close-knit family. Well, they are.

They don’t know me anymore. They only know the sweet, innocent girl they remember and thejunkie whorethey’ve heard about. But I’m neither of those people.

Oak Ridge knows who I was; Mountain heights who I’ve become. The only one who knewallof me, was Daddy, and now he’s gone.

“She’s a junkie whore.”Ethan’s words cut deep. Even though I know it’s not true, coming from him it hit like a bullet to the chest. Makes me think he never knew me at all.

Whatever.

People made up their own versions of the truth and without being here to defend myself, and everyone who did know the truth being sworn to secrecy, Ethan believed whatever he heard. People will talk about those they can. Gabe made Maggie off limits for anyone to speak about.Guess I wasn’t so lucky.

A throat clears behind me, reminding me I’m not alone. I quickly wipe the tears from my face for the second time, trying not to berate myself for showing weakness. Maybe it’s silly, but I need to keep my mask on and my armor of indifference front and center.

I turn to find Blake standing near the dining room table with my bags still in his hands.

“Where should I put these?” he asks looking uncomfortable for imposing on my private moment.

“The last room on the left is mine. You can lay them in there on the bed.” A long sigh escapes my lips as I try to gather myself. Everything feels so raw.

Old wounds have been reopened.

New ones are leaving their marks with each passing moment.

Daddy’s killer is still out there, and I don’t know if his death has anything to do with my past or if there’s a new threat on the horizon. He must’ve believed trouble was coming for me to send me home ahead of schedule. The problem is, I don’t know what kind of trouble he was in or who he was trying to keep me safe from. He didn’t tell me anything over the phone. Gave me nothing to go on. To drop my guard around anyone when I don’t know who my enemies are, would only make me an easy target. Something I promised myself would never happen again.

I may not have a home, a man, or the family I dreamed of having, but I’m not weak. I’m not reliant on anyone to take care of me. Even iftheythink I am. I can handle my own and I’ll do just.

I’ll let the club keep me safe while I grieve. They’ll take over just for a little bit, and plan the funeral and the burial, so I can focus on the house and what needs to be done here.

Except Ethan. He won’t protect me.

He’s grieving too.

He’s hurting with the loss of his friend and now having me here…

It doesn’t excuse his behavior.

My thoughts and emotions are torn. I release a long huff of breath and drop my head in my hands.

“Arguing with yourself is the first sign of insanity, Skyler,” I say aloud to the room.

“It’s debatable,” Blake says, reentering the room. “I’ve seen some pretty insane shit, and none of those men were known for talking to themselves. They were just flat out fucked up.”

I chuckle, appreciating his attempt to make me feel better. “Fair enough.”

“Can I help you with anything before I head out onto the porch?”

“You don’t have to wait outside. You’re welcome to stay inside. Help yourself to anything in the fridge and relax. I’m sure once church is over, you’ll be called off guard duty.”

Blake looks down at his feet, then back-up meeting my eyes looking somewhat apologetic.

“I was instructed to stay on the porch. To give you space to…you know…go through things, or cry or whatever.” Blake rubs the back of his neck, around to his scruff, seeming uncomfortable with the situation. Or maybe he’s uncomfortable with me.

I did give him shit about Melanie and their tryst this morning. But he doesn’t seem the type to be bothered by my opinion.

You’re the enemy of his brother.Yeah.

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