Page 108 of Catch You

“I’m good, thanks. I just need … I just need to do this—say goodbye—and then I can focus on the future.” My hand presses against my stomach, a move that Brooke doesn’t miss.

She opens her mouth to say something, but I cut her off.

“I know. I’ll talk to him soon. I promise.”

Our journey to the church is in silence. Brooke holds my hand the entire way and never once lets go.

My best friend might be all kinds of crazy at times, but I’d never swap her. She’s … incredible. I never would have got through any of this without her. She’s like my guardian angel.

“Thank you,” I whisper, turning to her.

“What for?”

“This.” I nod to our joined hands. “Everything. I just need you to know that I really appreciate it.”

“I know you do, sweetie. I also know that you’d do the exact same thing for me.”

I smile at her. I’d do anything for her.

The second we’re out of the car, I’m pulled into her parents’ arms. Sarah sobs as she holds me while her dad is more stoic, like always, when he wraps an arm around my shoulder.

They both speak to me, but aside from the standard “we’re sorry for your loss,” I don’t hear a word of it.

I’m too numb.

Reese runs over the second she sees me and wraps her arms around my shoulders, holding me tightly. When she pulls back, her eyes are filled with tears.

“You’ve got this, Harlow.” She reaches down and squeezes my hand as Fletch joins us.

I glance around the people loitering outside the church and find all their eyes on him. For once, I’m glad of his presence, even if I’m about to do something stupid, because it means no one is looking at me, waiting for me to break.

“Harlow, we’re so sorry for your loss.”

“Thank you. And thank you for being here. All of you,” I say, glancing at where the rest of the team are huddled together. “I really appreciate it, and not just because everyone is staring at you and not me right now.”

He chuckles. “I do aim to please.” He winks, and my face flushes beet red while Reese slaps his shoulder.

“I can’t take you anywhere.”

Grateful that I was able to stay solidly on both feet and not accidently grope him this time, I make my excuses and wander over to see the vicar so he can talk through proceedings.

My aunt wasn’t an overly religious person, but this church was where her parents got married and the only place she wanted to say her own vows.

With Brooke on one side of me and her mom the other, they hold my hands to try to keep me steady through the service.

It’s beautiful, it really is. I never would have done such a good job if I’d had to plan it all over the past few days.

All too soon, we’re forced to say our final goodbyes and are walking away from the committal.

My legs move, but I don’t register that I’m going anywhere. The previous numbness has turned into total emptiness. All I want to do is go running back to my bedroom to hide.

Aside from the Vipers family, there aren’t all that many people here. My aunt kept her circle quite small, but even still, it’s too many to deal with. Some of their interest in the celebrities in our midst has waned, and I’m feeling more eyes burning into me. Each pair is full of sympathy. I have no doubt they know my story if they knew my aunt.

“I’m proud of you,” Brooke whispers, coming back to join me. She’s hardly left my side, for which I’m grateful.

“He didn’t come.” I don’t mean for the words to come out loud, and I gasp when I realize that they do.

She reaches up and wipes a tear from my cheek. I didn’t even know it had fallen, it’s such a common feeling these days.

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