Page 15 of Skating Towards Danger

Sighing, knowing he won’t quit and will most likely come here if I don’t agree, I say, “I’ll be there at five.”

I hear him suck in a breath before he murmurs, “Thank you, peanut, I’ll see you soon,” and then hangs up before I can change my mind, and I pull my hand down and look at the cracked screen on my second-hand phone.

Royals’ gray eyes stare back at me, and my eyes tear up.

Uncle Rocco took the photo a week before the crash. He has folders of pictures with me, Momma, Daddy, and Royal, but this one photo of my little brother reminds me of the look he gave me before our car was hit.

Like I was his whole world.

Swallowing back the tears, I put my phone away and walk back into the diner which is still partially empty, the tables that are full already been seen too by me.

Ensuring no one needs anything, I go back to the counter. Andrew clears his throat, but before he can speak, I state, “I can’t do dinner tonight, my uncle needs me.”

I feel his eyes on me, but I ignore him and return to the napkins, refusing to let him see me break.

I really shouldn’t have shat where I ate.

A few hours later, I stand before my uncle's two-story home in the countryside.

I took an Uber that I couldn’t afford to get here, but I didn’t want to call him and ask for a lift. I can’t let him know how much I’m struggling for money.

I gently tap my finger against my jean-covered leg, happy that the diner allows me to wear dark jeans with a normal black polo shirt.

I know I need to go inside, but then I’ll not only see memories of my momma laughing at Daddy and Rocco play fighting, but I’ll also see photos of my childhood that Aunt Tyra saved before selling my parent's home before anyone could find out I was alive and I’ll meet the man who was in my hospital room when I woke screaming for my parents.

I haven’t seen him since. I know he’s been around, but normally, I’d stay in my room or ensure I’m not here but now, I don’t have a choice, do I?

Taking a deep breath, I climb the stairs and get my keys out before unlocking the door and walking inside. Laughter instantly echoes in the light hallway, and I swallow hard as I remove my shoes and hang my coat before placing my keys in the dish near the doorway. Then, I walk through the entryway and into the living area.

My aunt and uncle sit on the cream loveseat while a man I recognize from that day sits on the couch next to a woman with long, straight brown hair, whom I presume is his wife.

His hand is on her thigh, and he holds a little boy no older than one on his knee. My palms begin to sweat.

Little boys are always the hardest for me because of Royal.

Blinking back the tears, I notice another man with black hair on the other loveseat. He’s in a suit, and his arm is wrapped around a pregnant woman’s waist who is absolutely beautiful.

Dark red hair framing her face, and she’s glowing.

I notice Rhett on the floor, and a little part of me relaxes, knowing he’s here even if I haven’t allowed myself to get to know him over the years. He’s playing with a little girl who looks like the woman on the loveseat. Her red hair and messy curls make her look so innocent.

I feel out of place. I technically grew up here, yet I feel out of place.

I can feel my heart rate pick up, but I take deep breaths, walk further into the room, and make myself known, knowing Uncle Rocco will come searching for me otherwise.

“Hey, Uncle Rocco,” I mumble, and everyone looks my way, making me extremely self-conscious.

Before Uncle Rocco can move, Aunt Tyra gasps, “Paige,” and rushes my way, and takes me in her arms like she hasn’t seen me in months.

I chuckle lightly and hug her as I mumble, “You only saw me two days ago, Aunt Tyra.”

“Two days too long, missy,” she mutters back, and I hold her tighter, pressing my nose into her shoulder and inhaling her lemon scent.

After I lost Momma, Aunt Tyra became the mother I needed, and I’m grateful she never gave up on me, even though I deserved her too.

“Let the girl go, Tyra,” Uncle Rocco chuckles and pulls his wife back before taking me into his arms and whispering, “Thank you.” I sigh and lay my head on his chest as I grip his shirt.

“Anything for you,” I mutter back, and he kisses my head before pulling back and looking me over.

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