Page 80 of Brandishing Betrayals

“Sounds good,” I agreed.

Nico came in from the back door, a smile on his face. “Garage looks the same.”

“What else do we want to be done before move in?” Jason asked. “I’m assuming we want in as soon as possible?”

“Yeah,” I said. “Throw the bathroom cabinets in for the painter and counters. The bathrooms are relatively decent; paint and new counters will help a lot.”

Jason made a note on his list. “Which room are you giving Luke?”

“I’m not sure.”

“Can we leave the master bedroom open?” Nico asked.

Jason tensed immediately and I paused. “Why?”

“Please. Just for a while. Can we just move back in like how it was before? We all had our own rooms upstairs and Maya’s was the master. Can we just leave it empty for now?” Nico said tentatively.

I sighed and rubbed a hand over my head. “Bro.”

“Please, just for a while,” Nico pleaded. He looked so damn earnest, that I immediately wanted to cave.

I turned to Jason who was still tense. “I don’t see the harm.”

Jason shook his head. “I don’t see the point.”

“Please?”

“Where would Luke sleep?” Jason asked.

“He can have my old room. I’ll take the bedroom down here that used to be Kara’s,” Nico said.

I nodded thoughtfully. Nico was thinking that Maya would move back in. I could see the hope in Nico’s eyes. I didn’t want to be the one to crush that. “I’m fine with it.”

“Fine,” Jason said. He shook his head slightly. “What color do you want his room?”

“I’ll ask him when I tell him about the house. I want him to have a say,” Marcos explained.

“And when do you plan on telling him?” Jason asked.

“Tomorrow at the funeral.”

The three of us grew silent while we thought about tomorrow’s plans. Maya had never said anything regarding being served the papers for paternity. Granted, she had a lot going on right now,but it would be the first time we’ve seen her since Saturday—at least closer than we had when she picked up Luke from football practice without getting out of the car.

Her father’s funeral was going to be hard on her. I had thought about reaching out to her several times regarding everything, but it hadn’t felt right. I’d seen her when I brought Luke home, but we hadn’t really spoken much. I did give her my condolences about her father, but that had been about it.

Maya had kept up a stone-cold wall that even Jason couldn’t beat.

“Do we say anything tomorrow to Maya?” Nico asked.

I shook my head. “Nah, she’ll probably be busy. We’ll talk to Luke about it. I’m sure he’ll tell his mom at some point. Otherwise, I’ll tell her when I have him for the weekend again.”

Jason hummed noncommittedly while Nico nodded absently.

I sighed. We finally had the house of our dreams, but it was obvious it would be missing the key person that would make it a home.

Maya

Thefuneralformyfather took place on Friday. A single-day Celebration of Life, that included a viewing at the church, followed by Mass, then a progression to the burial site. From there we headed back to my parents’ house for a potluck repast that everyone was invited to.

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