Page 24 of Forever

“Are you joking?” Penny grabbed her hand. “This is one of my most memorable birthdays ever. And you don’t need to apologize for something you had no control over. Brooklyn, we’re family. We’re all in this together.” She squeezed her hand.

Brooklyn smiled through her tears. “Actually, a hot shower sounds great.”

“Come with me.” Penny pulled her away from Scarlett’s bedroom.

I exhaled slowly and grabbed my hand that kept shaking. I needed to calm down. Brooklyn needed me right now. And I was too in my head. I sat down on the stairs and closed my eyes for a second. I didn’t know why I was still so shaken. I hadn’t pulled the trigger.

“Rob told me what happened,” James said.

I opened my eyes.

He sat down next to me with a sigh. “What a night, huh?”

I forced a laugh. “This was definitely not how I wanted prom to go.”

“Honestly, it was about as bad as my original prom.”

This time my laugh was real. “Mine too.”

“At least Penny and Brooklyn got an authentic Empire High prom. Terrible.”

I shook my head. “And it wasn’t even Tanner who ruined it.”

James laughed. “Promenade.”

“Right.” I took another deep breath.

James looked over his shoulder and then back at me. “I know Brooklyn came to my room that homecoming for help. But I definitely wasn’t her first choice. She needed you 16 years ago. And she needs you now.” He nodded toward his bedroom door.

I knew about how the two of them showered together after homecoming. “You want me to recreateyourmoment with her 16 years ago?”

“Unless you want me to join her in the shower again.”

“Fuck off,” I laughed.

He smiled. “Go on. Besides, I could use a minute alone with my wife. It is still her birthday for another few minutes.”

I didn’t need to be told twice. I wasn’t a cock-blocker. I stood up and wandered into their bedroom. Penny was in their walk-in closet, probably searching for something for Brooklyn to change into. I quickly snuck into the bathroom and closed the door behind me.

The sound of Brooklyn crying could be heard over the water falling on the tile.

I opened the shower door.

She was sitting in the corner of the shower with her arms wrapped around her legs. Naked. Her hand was wrapped around her necklace. She was clutching the rings Miller had given her. But my ring on her finger shimmered in the light. The steam all around her made her look ethereal. She lifted her head and stared at me. She smiled, but it looked so sad.

I knew she’d been in her underwear when James joined her in the shower 16 years ago. And that James had been fully clothed. I was not trying to recreate whatever the hell that was. But I also wanted her to know that I was just here to make sure she was okay. So I kicked off my dress shoes and climbed into the shower still in my tux.

She laughed as I sat down next to her and let the water fall all over my pants.

It only took a few seconds for my clothes to cling uncomfortably to my skin.

“Why does every dance I attend end this way?” She let go of her necklace and stared up at me with her big blue eyes.

“It’s a pretty great tradition. As long asI’mthe one in the shower with you.”

She slid her hand into mine and rested her head on my shoulder. For just a few seconds we sat there getting soaked.

It was oddly comforting. To just sit and let the water cascade down on us. It felt…safe. I took a deep breath, trying to erase the image of the gunshot from my head.

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