“That’s the fucking truth,” he says.
“Hey Riley,” Finn calls from the door. I didn’t even notice he walked outside. We all turn to him as Riley lifts his chin. “We need to get back to Souls. Harper and Ivy, I’m gonna take you over to Gloria’s. They are having some kind of lunch thing.”
Sure, they are. Shit is happening and we shouldn’t be around. I get it, I’m just not really looking forward to spending the afternoon with Gloria. I’m still pissed at her for what she said about Zane’s father. I’m in no position to argue, so I don’t say a word.
The ride there is not fun and relaxed. You can feel the tension and I fucking hate it. I should have known that the laughs and joking were only temporary. It always is.
Ivy keeps peeking at me, but there’s nothing I can say. I mean, if I had to guess, I’d say they need the van to get Dom’s body out of there. They are probably going to sit at the table and discuss whatever he said or didn’t say. They’ll decide what the next move is. That move being get my father.
They drop us off, waiting while we walk to the door. “What’s going on?” Ivy whispers.
“They’ve got business to handle and we shouldn’t be around for it. Don’t ask what it is because I have no idea. I just know they think we’re safer here, so let’s make the best of it,” I say, opening the door. “Hello?”
“In the kitchen,” Nora yells.
We walk in and it’s just her and Adalyn. They give us a quick hug and I sit down. “I’m starving,” I say.
Adalyn laughs, reaching over to squeeze my hand. “We are having sandwiches and salad. Gloria should be back in a minute.”
“Where is she?” I ask.
“She was at the store when we got here. I called her to let her know we were all coming, so she should be back soon,” Nora says.
It shouldn’t make me happy that she’s gone, but it does. If Adalyn wasn’t here, I’d ask Nora why Gloria said those things last time. But I won’t do that to Adalyn. She still grieves his death, which I can’t blame her. I’d never get over losing Zane.
“So, what’s been going on?” Nora asks.
“Not much. We’re staying at Souls, so that’s always relaxing,” I say.
She laughs, but Adalyn looks at me with wide eyes. “You both need to be careful, Harper. I don’t know what’s going on and I don’t want to know, but if you’re there it can’t be good.”
“I promised you I’d protect Zane and I will,” I say, smiling. “Don’t worry.”
“Such a sweet girl. You always were, but I’ll never stop worrying.”
What can I say? She’s right. There’s always the chance something horrible can happen. I can’t imagine being a mother and worrying about that. I think briefly of my mother and how much she sacrificed to protect me. She died doing it. I’m sure Adalyn would do the same for Zane, just like I would if I ever decided to bring a child into this world.
“Ivy, you are always so quiet,” Nora says, breaking my thoughts.
Ivy smiles, sitting down next to me. “I just listen, don’t have much to add to the conversation.”
“It’s not always easy,” Adalyn agrees.
Nora rolls her eyes. “Well, how about you tell us what’s going on with you and Kace? That boy has never had someone around like this before.”
“I’m not here because of Kace, I’m here because of Harper,” she says.
Before she can be questioned anymore, Gloria rushes into the kitchen. “Fuck, if I knew you were all coming over, I’d have had lunch ready. Give me a minute to clean up and I’ll get it all ready.”
“Relax, I brought cold cuts and salads,” Nora calls after her. “She just got home from her parents’ vacation house. You’d think she’d be more relaxed.”
Her parents' vacation house. Christ, I could only dream of having something like that. I don’t know much about her side of the family, but I believe she comes from money.
“Do you think they are all alright?” Ivy whispers. Nora and Adalyn are talking about someone they grew up with, so they pay no attention to Ivy.
I squeeze her knee under the table. “I know they are. We’ll be back with them soon.”
She nods but stares off into the distance. Yep, that girl has got it bad.