After I played the last note, I sat back and let the emotions linger.
I startled when I noticed someone in my peripheral. I looked up and saw Will standing next to me.
“That was beautiful,” he said as he handed me a bottle of water and some Tylenol.
“Thanks,” I feigned a smile.
He looked like he wanted to say something to me, but instead, he put a hand on my shoulder and gently squeezed it. “I know you don’t want to talk right now, but when or if you’re ever ready, you can come talk to me.”
I nodded as I stared down at my hands. “Thanks,” I mumbled.
Most of my morning was spent playing in the music room. Ella came in at one point to curl up on the couch and listen to me play as she played on her DS. I felt bad for not spending quality time with her, but she assured me she was fine and just wanted to hear me play.
Not long after that Jax came in with another cup of coffee for me. He sat on my bench. “I’m sorry I didn’t believe you last night. I should have known to trust your word.”
The demons seemed to have somewhat dispersed with my music therapy. I turned and looked at him. “It’s fine. I was slightly inebriated, and I could understand why it was hard to believe, especially after you saw Drake walk Rose to her car.”
He pulled me close, tucking my head under his chin. “I’ll believe whatever you say in the future.”
I laughed softly at him, rubbing the stubble on his face. He looked a little worse for wear. His dark hair was tousled and he was wearing only his flannel pajama bottoms. He exuded attractiveness even when he looked rough.
“Do you ever wear a shirt?” I grumbled. “And I wouldn’t want you to just be a yes-man. Challenge me when you think I’m wrong.”
“You think I’m sexy, don’t you,” he leered at me.
I laughed. “All that and all you heard was my request for you to wear a shirt.”
He smiled and pulled me closer. “There’s that smile. I promise to challenge you when I think you need to be challenged. Now, are you ready to join the world of the living?”
I hesitated. “Where’s Drake?”
He suddenly looked solemn. “I don’t think she’s talked to him yet, but he’s been pacing nearly all morning, so I think he’s tried to text her and she hasn’t answered him.”
“I wish she weren’t who she was, he loves her. I wouldn’t have blamed him if he chose to remain with her.” I looked out the window. The rain was whipping across the window.
He picked me up with a squeeze. “Even if she were Mother Theresa, his relationship with her would have eventually put a strain on you, maybe even all of us.”
It seemed like all the party goers, except for Stacey and Rick (I remembered his name now), had left by the time I came back out into the living room. Everyone seemed to have decided to embrace this rainy, stormy day.
I noticed Noah and Jax exchange a look, but I decided to brush it off as I took in the cozy scene. A movie was playing on television and a fire was roaring in the fireplace. I couldn’t help but realize how lucky I was to call this home. This was my new life.
Will and Ella were sitting at a small round table, a chessboard in front of them. It looked like he was teaching her how to play chess. I applauded him because I remembered how hard it was to teach her how to play Go fish. She had been so stubborn and hated to lose. I noticed she was no longer wearing her pajamas and had a chunky sweater and leggings on. Her hair was neatly pulled back in a French braid.
Jemmy was the most dressed down I had ever seen her and for the first time, I noticed no make-up on her. Without it, I thought she looked more beautiful, more natural. She was wearing a pair of yoga pants and a long-sleeved t-shirt. She was laying on the couch with Rick’s arm around her shoulders, their legs stretched out on the ottoman.
I couldn’t deny the niggling feeling of jealousy I felt when I noticed Stacey was dressed in one of Noah’s t-shirts and a pair of his basketball shorts. I knew instinctively she was just trying to make a point as she looked over at me with a smug smile. It was obvious she had slept over, but she made it noticeable she was stamping her claim on Noah. Who wore an outfit like that, but made sure to put on a full face of makeup and curl their hair into beautiful beach waves? She was snuggled into his side and her long, red fingernails were tracing back and forth on his thigh. Other than his brief look with Jax, he seemed to be absorbed by the movie. To his credit, he didn’t even seem to notice Stacey vying for his attention. The arm he had over the back of the sofa seemed perfunctory and detached. I just wondered why he seemed to be wanting to keep her around.
I noticed Remy, Drake, and Troy were missing. I was left wondering where they were.
Ella finally looked up from the chessboard and smiled at me. “Hi, Blake! Pops is teaching me how to play chess. He says I’m a natural! And I had two donuts for breakfast!”
I smiled at her affectionately. “Two donuts huh?! Lucky you. A natural? Will must have infinite patience, did you tell him how much you hate losing?”
She scrunched up her face at me. “I haven’t lost!”
I looked over at Will, expecting him to have an indulgent look on his face like he was allowing her to win. I didn’t expect his look of consideration as he looked at Ella. He finally smiled at me, although I noticed it didn’t reach his eyes. “She’s right. I explained the rules and I told her how each piece moves. We had a few practice games, but since then she’s won every game.”
I felt like something should be connecting, like I was missing something, but then I noticed the little figure zipping across the backyard, trash bags in hand.