Page 87 of The Secret's Out

Chapter Twenty-One

Josie

Too soon we were at the compound. After walking out of the funeral home, and after the car had driven away to the crematorium, I was soon whisked away from Nary, into my men’s arms. Mum decided to drive with Maya and Cody, while the twins went with Blue and Clary. When we arrived, the atmosphere was sad even though the sun shone. The compound, a usually busy, laughing, happy place, was now one where people walked around talking quietly with sober expressions. We mourned Dad, but the day shined over such a wonderful man.

My tears had dried up and I was making my way around the side of the compound when Nary called out.

Turning, I smiled as she walked quickly our way. I looked back to my men and said, “Why don’t you both go through. I’ll be in there soon.”

“Is that code for you wanting to talk to Nary about us?” Eli teased.

“Yes.” Nary smiled as she stopped beside me.

Eli chuckled while Caden smirked. He quickly kissed me and started for the tall side gate. Eli slid his hand to my waist, winked and said, “Make sure you talk us up real good, babe.” Then he kissed me and followed Caden.

Nary, taking my hand in hers, brought my attention away from my men and back to her smiling face. She waited until a few stragglers walked out the back of the compound before saying, “I’m so happy to see you’re cared for by not only one but two men.” Then her smile slipped. “It’s sad Richard won’t get to see more of it.”

Licking my dry lips, I nodded. “It is.”

“Still, he knew, and from what Stoke told Mum, he was very happy about it. He said he knew you were meant to be loved and fiercely so. He was happy that he got to know you’d be taken care of.”

Hugging her, I said, “Thank you.” Pulling back, I asked, “What’s been happening with you? It’s been too long since we’ve emailed last.”

She shrugged. “Just the same really.”

“How were the exams?” Nary was in her final year at high school. She was still contemplating on where to attend uni the following year.

“Good, I think at least.”

“Have you picked a university?”

She laughed. “No, but I’m close.”

I hesitated before asking, “How are things with Saxon?”

She groaned. “The same. He doesn’t want anything to do with me. Besides, he’s moving soon.”

“I heard. So...there is always a chance you could attend my uni?” I smiled.

She grinned, shrugged and looked to the ground. “I’m not sure. It’s hard to like someone who wants nothing to do with you...who sleeps with everything he can get his hands on and ignores the only one who would care for him.”

Sighing, I touched her shoulder. “One day he’ll come around.”

Shaking her head, she said, “I doubt it and you never know, by the time that happens, I could have moved on.” She laughed then. “At least then Stoke would be happy. I’ve lost count of the times he’s told me to get over the undeserving little shit.”

I threw my head back and laughed. Stoke would say that. He was very protective of Nary and Josh. I brought Nary in for another hug. “Thank you, you always did know what to say to make me smile.”

“Same with you,” she whispered and pulled back. “At least I know all I have to do is talk about my sucky love life.”

“I’m sure it won’t be sucky for much longer. Someone will see your worth and sweep you off your feet.”

“Just like your guys have with you,” she teased.

Laughing, I nodded. “Yes, just like my guys.”

“Two men, Josie. Two!”

Biting my bottom lip, I blushed. “Every day I wake thinking of how lucky I am. It helps that they get along so well. They’ve accepted that I couldn’t choose between them.”

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