Page 54 of Trusting Skulls

“I’m the reason your dad got in.”

They’re both quiet, but I owe them the truth. I take a shaky breath and continue. “I snuck out after you went to bed that night, but I forgot my bag, so I came back inside. I was just about to leave when I saw him on the porch, and well, you know the rest. I’m so sorry.”

Elizabeth lets out a little whimper.

JD sighs, but I can tell he’s not mad. Disappointed maybe, but not angry. “Thank you for telling us. It’s okay, Lex. He would have gotten in one way or another.”

“But you might have heard him. It would have given you time …” My words trail off.

Brody told me everything. He’s always been brutally honest with me. Hearing about what they went through that night about did me in. I’ve never felt so guilty. That’s why I punished myself by agreeing to play another game with my dad’s boss. One I knew I had very little chance of winning.

I said I’d never do it again, but I needed to forget … to go to a place where I knew I’d feel punished for my actions. That was the night Brody found me.

“Lexie, it wasn’t your fault he showed up. It all worked out in the end. I don’t want you to give it another thought, okay?”

“But …”

“But nothing. This is a new start for all of us. You included. Now get your butt home soon, because Elizabeth and I miss you.”

I meet my own gaze in the mirror, searching for what it is that they could possibly miss. I wasn’t enough for my own parents to stay. How can I be enough for complete strangers?

“I’ve got to go. It’s been a long day,” I tell them.

They both say goodbye, leaving me with an aching hole in my chest. I miss them so much. More than they’ll ever know.

When I step out of the bathroom, Brody throws a pillow at me. “Ash and I will take the couch. You and Daisy can have the bed.”

Ash stands up. “You good?”

“Yeah. JD just called.”

“You miss them.”

“I guess I do.”

He gives me a hug. “We’ll go home soon. I promise.”

“I’ve got snacks,” Daisy interjects, trying to cheer me up. She pats the pockets of her sleep shorts.

“I’ll see you in the morning. Dress warm. It will be chilly,” Ash says, pushing me toward her.

After we all say our goodnights, Daisy and I head upstairs.

“It’s so quiet out here,” she whispers after we snuggle into the bed. We share a bag of licorice and watch the dark trees sway through the big floor-to-ceiling windows.

“Enjoy it, because it’s the exact opposite at the warehouse.”

She rolls to face me. “I’m excited to meet everyone, but I think it will be a while before I’m ready to go all in.”

“Where are you guys going from here?”

“I don’t know. I’m hiding out from my family, so I’m trying to lay low.”

“Hiding?”

She releases a sigh. “It’s not like that. I’m not in any danger. I just found out that I’m adopted. Can you imagine? For twenty-two years my parents have lied to me.”

“Were they good to you? Your adopted family?”

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