Page 79 of Wicked Player

He had wrinkles around his eyes and his beautiful mouth was turned down.

My chin wobbled and all those tears I’d held back all morning rushed to my eyes, clouding my vision. “I’m so sorry.” My voice shook and I could barely force out the words.

“Me too,” he said. He sounded like he’d scrubbed his throat with sandpaper. He lifted one of his hands, palm up toward me. “Sit with me. Please?”

Of course I would. Outside of saying goodbye to Brandon, supporting him was my purpose for being there. I placed my hand with his, stunned by the heat in his strong but gentle hold and followed him to where he’d set two seats aside.

We sat right behind Penny and before I could stop myself, I reached forward and squeezed her shoulder. She’d been talking to the older woman I saw at the funeral home and at my touch, her hand covered mine as she turned her head.

“Penny.”

It was all I got out before she squeezed back. “Elizabeth. Thank you so much for coming.”

I wouldn’t have missed it. “I’m so—”

“Don’t be sorry.” God. The strength in her voice threatened to undo me. “Don’t be sorry for him. Or for me. I had the honor of raising the strongest boy to walk the Earth and while he might have lost his war, he bravely won many battles. Honor him. But do not pity us.”

I couldn’t possibly pity her. The resolve in her words was so fiercely spoken, pieces of my own heartbreak stitched together while I marveled at her determined expression.

God. I couldn’t stop the tears. At my side, Gage’s hand still holding mine tightened. He placed it on his thigh, settled his other hand over our already entwined ones, like somehow, his job was to comfort me instead of the other way around.

“I will.” It wasn’t a promise. It was a vow I’d make to Penny and Brandon for the rest of my life. “I will, I swear it.”

“Good.” She grinned a heartbroken smile and squeezed my hand, patting it twice before nodding. “See that you do.”

She turned back and my hand fell to my lap. I tugged my hand from Gage’s strong grip and quickly gathered my handkerchief, patting my eyes and cheeks.

“Thank you,” Gage said.

My chin lifted to meet him, and I knew he was thanking me for more than sitting next to him. “You’re welcome.”

He opened his mouth to speak, but I leaned in, pressed my hand to his cheek. “Don’t. We’ll talk but later. Okay?”

He turned, brushed his lips over my palm and then pulled my hand back into his lap. “Yes. We will.”

The final service started then and through it, I sat straight ahead, wiped tears from my eyes, rested against Gage when his exhale turned shaky.

And when it was done, I stood in line, gathered the flowers we’d been handed and dropped one small daisy onto the small casket and hugged Penny one last time.

Gage was behind me the entire time, leading me, and once that was done, his hand guided me to where Shannon and Paige stood with Powell and Hale.

They hugged me immediately, and I returned it with all of my strength.

“It’s good to see you again,” Paige said. “Despite the reason. You doing okay? I’ve learned recently you spent some time with Brandon.”

As she spoke, her eyes slid to Gage behind me and back to me. Jeez. Exactly how much had he said to people over the last few days? I’d figure that out later.

“I’m okay. Tired.”

“Yeah. This was exhausting. So sad.”

Beaux stepped to his wife and pulled her to his side, kissing her temple. “Hey Elizabeth.” He flicked his eyes to Gage. “We’re going to head to workouts. See you tomorrow, right?”

“Right,” Gage responded. Like men did, they sealed their conversation with a fist bump.

Despite the sadness and how tired I was, I still smiled at the gesture.

“Take care,” Shannon said, waving and grinning. “And we’re talking soon. A whole bunch.”

---