Page 102 of Cloudless
My blood boils just under my skin as I grind my teeth to keep my mouth shut. I hear Ellie’s footsteps move toward us from her place in the back of the room. I know if I had the will to look away from my grandparents, I would see fire in her eyes that matches my own.
Her steps come to a sudden halt as Kam steps in front of her to stop her advance. Thankfully, we can’t hear the words she grumbles under her breath.
I take a deep breath to calm the fire within me before I clear my throat. “I trust Kam to be around the kids. That’s all I’m going to say about your accusation.” I force a smile onto my face as I turn to my siblings, who are cowering behind me. “Now, who’s ready for some hot dogs?”
Their weary eyes glance over my shoulder before looking at Kam next to me. Whatever they see on his face must give them the courage they need to nod.
A relieved breath leaves my lips. “Great!” I turn to a red-faced Ellie. “Can you let everyone know it’s time for dinner?Take the twins with you.I’m sure they would love to see their friends.”
Her nod is choppy and her movements are rigid as she leaves the kitchen with a last glance at her brother. The twins follow silently in her shadow.
I fasten my smile tightly to my face as I turn to my grandparents. “It’s a shame you can’t stay for dinner. You can give the twins their gift another time. Maybe when things aren’t as hectic.”
A hard edge shines in their eyes as they exchange a look that they both seem to understand. Maxwell is the one who breaks the silence. He clears his throat as he straightens his jacket. “The gift can wait. Have a pleasant evening.”
The loose hairs that escaped my ponytail blow in the breeze they create as they leave the room. Kam and I don’t move until the front door clicks shut behind them.
I slowly lift my eyes to find devastation on his face. I allow the fire to shine through my voice as I pull on the collar of his shirt until we’re eye level. “Don’t you dare waste a second of your time worrying about the nasty things that come out of their mouths. They’re not worth the heartache.”
His voice cracks as he grabs the fabric of the back of my sweatshirt. “They gutted me, Sunshine. They cut me deeper than I thought possible with simple words.”
A breath stutters out of me as our foreheads meet. “Don’t give them the satisfaction of bleeding, Trouble.”
When his eyes meet mine, and I see the pain written in his irises, I know without a doubt that Kamden Stryker can be trusted.
With my brother and sister.
With our safety.
And with my heart.
LILA’S JOURNAL
Hi, Mom
I know I talked to you yesterday, but today was a big day.
The twins turned eight today. I wish you could have been there to see them playing with all the friends you were so worried about them making when we moved here.
Posey’s getting into makeup now. I have no idea what I’m going to do with all the makeup she got today, or all the signed hockey gear Jasper now has scattered around his room.
Posey’s ballet recital is coming up. She’s so excited to get on stage and “shake it like I mean it!” Her words, not mine. Well, if we’re being honest, they’re probably Ellie’s words.
I wish you could have seen the cake Mace made for the birthday party. It was half makeup, and half hockey themed.
Oh, I forgot to tell you, Kam fixed the mailbox lid while he was putting together the twins’ swing set yesterday. I didn’t even know about it until I checked the mail this morning. That crazy man.
The countdown is officially on for the court date. When Judge Harris told me six months, I thought that day would never come. It’s hard to believe it’s been that long since you’ve been gone.
Anyway, I’m going to get to bed. Keeping up with twelve second graders and four overgrown hockey players is exhausting.
Love you, Mom.
Lila
CHAPTER 48
SOMETHING YOU MIGHT REGRET
