Page 83 of The Only Thing That's Real

I try to shift my arm out of his hold, to no avail.

“Who wears red to their grandfather’s funeral? A whore, that’s who. You disgust?—”

“Take your hand off her and don’t say another word,” a fierce voice interrupts my father’s hateful words.

No. It can’t be.

Dad stiffens beside me. Using the distraction, I wrench my arm away from him then slowly turn around to find the most earth shatteringly beautiful man I have ever seen. A man with other obligations he should be honoring at this moment. A man who shouldn’t be here, but here he is. For me.

I’ve never been so happy to see another human being in my life.

“You okay?” he asks, keeping his voice hushed to avoid unwanted attention.

“What are you doing here?”

His hair is pulled back and he’s wearing a suit that covers his tattoos. He’s beautiful, but I like him any way he comes.

“Who the hell are—" Dad stops short when he recognizes Knox. His face burns red with anger.

“I’m somebody you don’t want to pissoff.”

“I don’t know who you think you are, but you need to leave. This is a family event.”

“With all due respect,” Knox slides his fingers through mine, “I’ll be staying as long as your daughter wants me to stay.” He tugs me toward him, but pauses, returning his attention to my dad. “I’m sorry for your loss, sir. But it’s no excuse for your behavior.”

As we walk away from the man whose made it his life’s goal to knock me down until there’s nothing left of my self-esteem, my body shakes. Knox must feel it because he pulls me aside. “I’ve got you, Ry.” Placing his back toward the congregation, he blocks me from view before he pulls me into his arms and kisses the top of my head.

Looking up into his golden eyes, I know without a doubt I have someone on my side.

Someone I can count on.

Someone I can love.

“You have three different TV appearances today. What in the world are you doing here?”

“You lost your favorite person. How could I not be here for mine?”

My heart stutters. He called me his person.

“But Knox?—”

“I’ve been on a million TV shows. I’d give it all up to be by your side today.”

There’s no stopping the onslaught of tears that begin to fall. “Thank you.”

Holding my face in his hands, his thumbs do their best to wipe away the tears, but as soon as he does, more fall. “Shh. I got you, Ry. I got you.”

The warmth of his hands on my skin and the soothingcalm of his words works. After a few deep breaths, I regain control of my emotions. Mom, Dad, Becks, and the rest of the family file into the first two pews, and it’s time to take my seat. Not wanting to let go of him, I start toward my family, attempting to pull him along with me, but he doesn’t move.

“Go be with your family. I’ll be in the back with Daisy, mom and the rest of the family. Let the day be about your pops and your family and not any unnecessary attention. I’m not going anywhere.” He kisses my forehead, then disappears into the background.

Luckily, we’ve hidden in the shadows. Nobody notices me until I slide into the front row and take my seat next to my sister. She doesn’t ask me if I’m okay. She knows Dad was having one of his moments and taking it out on me. Instead, she grabs my hand, giving it a squeeze, and doesn’t release me until she takes her place on stage to give the eulogy she and I wrote together. We agreed she would speak for the both of us. She shares our stories and explains our decision to wear gold and maroon today. Much to my surprise, she adds, “Sorry, Dad. We probably should have given you a heads-up.” She shoots me a wink and I smile back at her, but I don’t dare look in my father’s direction.

Dad must not have been as quiet as he thought if Knox and Becks heard him. My face flames, wondering if any of the other mourners heard his vile words. My hands twist together, wishing Knox was by my side. Wishing I was holding on to him for dear life, because now mixed with my sorrow is shame. Shame that all of Goose Hollow now knows our family’s deepest, darkest secret because of a dress.

When my sister is seated next to me again, she takes my hand, giving me the lifeline I need.

“Did you hear him?”

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