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I stilled.
Had Texas announced about Maya?
While Dad chatted with Country, I leaned down and whispered in my brother’s ear, “Before I got taken, did I guess right with Maya?”
Maya, having heard it, smiled up at me.
I gasped. “I did, didn’t I? Have you told Mum and Dad?”
Texas sighed. “You did, but can you keep in contained for a bit longer? Now isn’t the time. We need all families together.”
I thinned my lips, but an excited meep escaped as I shook Texas’s shoulders once again.
He reached up and tapped my hands. “You’re givin’ me whiplash.”
I wrapped my arms around them both and hugged them tightly as I whispered, “Congrats. You guys will make great parents.”
“What are you three plotting over there?” Mum asked.
I straightened and yelled, “Nothing!”
Laughter sounded around us, but my gaze landed on Quake, who was smirking and shaking his head at me.
Okay, I wasn’t the best liar, and under pressure, I’d fold.
But I couldn’t for this.
Even when I was bursting to shout it out, I wouldn’t.
CHAPTER EIGHT
A week later, I was walking inside from being with Dad and Saint, working on Saint’s ride, and staring down at my phone when a text from Cal popped up. He was replying to one I’d sent hours ago, asking him why I was handling things differently than them.
They were still struggling to get through the ordeal—having sleepless nights or waking from horrid dreams—but I wasn’t.
Cal:
Rommy, I’m saying this with love, but you’re unique. I’ve never met anyone like you and I don’t think I ever will. You were our rock on that boat. You were our sunshine, our hope. Everyone wanted to be around you because you were happy and positive all the time. Even those idiots who complained, they still listened to you, watched you, and wanted to be near you because you were our strength, our warmth. Honestly, I’m grateful this hasn’t affected you like it has us because I doubt you could have been those things for us on that boat if you were any other way than you are. You’re an inspiration and someone I want to call a friend for the rest of our lives. Thank you for everything you did for us and don’t stress that you’re not having nightmares. Talk soon!!!
Awww, that was so damn sweet it had my heart swelling. I loved when people took me for me and supported me as I was.
Yeah, I was glad I could stay positive, but I really did think it had a lot to do with my faith in my family. I knew without a doubt that we were going to be saved, and we were.
I’d just finished replying to him when I overheard Quake saying, “I haven’t seen you in a long time.”
There was a female snort. “There’s a whole heap of club girls that’d keep you entertained.”
“Eve, you know I don’t sleep with them.”
“Why don’t you? I’m not stopping you.”
“Maybe I want you to. Maybe I want you to care.” He sighed. “Why are you avoidin’ me?”
There was silence. I didn’t think Eve was going to answer until I heard, “It doesn’t matter.”
“Don’t you get it? I want you to trust me. To lean on me. Eve, I?—”
“Just leave it,” she snapped.
