Page 110 of Even in the Dark

We talk a bit more on the way back about the screaming match and the comments Cass and my aunt made, and we agree maybe we over-reacted. Maybe it’s not worth ruining Christmas over. Phil thinks we should apologize—says learning to apologize isone of the top three most useful skills he’s learned over the years. And to keep it short and simple.

When we walk in the house, everyone goes dead quiet. They’re all in the living room. Diane looks like she’s been crying. So do Cass and Aunt Heidi. Kenz is lying on the fluffy rug by the fire fast asleep, with Walter beside her. Even he’s too beat to come over and do his usual crotch shoving routine.

“So.” Phil claps his hands, back to his even-keeled, confident self. “Dylan and I wanted to apologize… Realized we may have both over-reacted about what you said, Cassie.” He looks at my cousin. “And Heidi”—he turns to his sister—“I get a little overprotective of this guy.” He puts his hand on my shoulder and squeezes.

I don’t flinch or pull away, and he keeps his hand there.

“And I tend to get emotional about things I hear people say about him," Phil continues. "But I know you didn’t mean to be hurtful, Cass. So I’m sorry if anything I said upset either of you. Although, mostly, I’m sorry I never got to finish the three roast potatoes that were still on my plate.”

His joke breaks the tension and everyone laughs. Cassie apologizes. Even Aunt Heidi, who says she gets emotional about people saying stuff about her daughter, too. Then it's my turn.

“Sorry for yelling and uh… for taking off,” I say. “And for making Phil miss out on his roast potatoes.” Which gets an even bigger laugh than when Phil said it.

He squeezes my shoulder and my eyes meet his. Then it suddenly hits me—he doesn’t have that sad look in his eyes. He’s smiling at me and that’s all it is—just a smile. Nothing else lingering behind it.

I smile back.

Christmas doesn’t end up sucking after all.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Scarlett

Carter

Still need to talk to u. Just 5 mins I swear

Scarlett

u need to stop w the txts. Why do u need to talk so badly?

Carter

Need to talk in person. Please. 5 mins

Scarlett

Sorry no

Carter

Phone call then?

Scarlett

I'll call u Sat morning. After that, u need to leave me alone

Carter

K

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Dylan

The school Silas goes to has the day off, so he swings by SH Prep at four and picks me up, and we hang out at his place. A normal house—not like the mansions on the peninsula or some of the other neighborhoods in Sandy Haven.

When he boots up Call of Duty, I tell him how I get kinda weird about dead bodies and stuff.

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