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“I’d kill to see the inside of your closet.” She batted her eyes at me.
“Actually, I have a dress that I bought even though it was completely wrong for me because I loved it so much. It would be perfect for you—and your red hair.” I tugged on one of her curls.
“Really?” Waverly squealed and then launched herself at me, nearly knocking me over.
I laughed at her exuberance. She was so fifteen in that moment. Other moments I swore she was twenty.
I looked at Willa and she turned her head and wiped at the corner of her eye.
“You are the coolest person ever,” Waverly said as she pulled back. “Now I’m gonna go eat three cupcakes.”
“You didn’t have to do that,” Willa said once we were alone.
“Do what?”
“Treat her like she’s your little sister,” Willa said.
“Oh.” I sighed. “Well, I don’t have a little sister, but if I did have one, I’d hope she’d be just like Waverly.”
“Crap, you’re going to make me cry. Again.” She let out a watery laugh. “I’ve been so worried about her.”
“Worried? Why?”
“Our mom was hardly a mom. She officially bailed a few months ago, but I’ve been raising Waverly since I was a teen anyway. Duke and Savage helped because…they’re family. But I was worried she was never going to open up. And now, she’s like a different person. I’m just so grateful for this club. They’ve been here for us through the hardest time in our lives.”
She squeezed my hand. “Anyway, I’m rambling. Now Waverly has so many older sisters she can count on. I just love that.”
“Stop, now you’re going to make me cry.”
“We’ll be sniffling in company.”
I gave her an impromptu hug, my reserved nature giving in to the warmth of the moment. Willa, Bones, the club…they made it impossible to remain on the sidelines.
I pulled back, intending to take my leave and seek out Mia. As I did, I noticed the club president’s wife was across the lawn talking on her phone. She lowered her cell from her ear and it slipped from her hand into the grass.
I saw the look on her face.
I knew that look.
It was the look a person wore when their entire world had just shattered around them.
It was the look my mother wore when she found out my father had died.
Chapter 32
Tragedy swept through the wedding reception, blanketing the celebration of life and the union of two people with the stark reminder that it was all temporary, and would end in death.
Darcy had lost control of her car and hit a cement barrier between the interstate and an exit lane going full speed. She died on impact. Cam was in emergency surgery due to a leg injury. The doctors didn’t even have time to tell anyone what condition he was truly in, and Lily was in a medically induced coma with a punctured lung.
Boxer and Doc had already left for the hospital. Mia had asked Waverly to take care of Scarlett and Silas while she and Colt joined Boxer and Doc.
Now, Waverly was bouncing Scarlett on her hip, trying to keep her occupied.
As for the rest of us, we sat in the middle of the tent, surrounded by food and dessert. It was quiet except for the occasional noise of a baby, or someone crying in the background.
“It’s our fault,” Rach said quietly. “It’s our fault this happened. We all knew her mental state. We all knew her drinking was a problem. It’s our fault our friend is dead and her children are in the hospital, fighting for their lives.” Rach stood. “I’m going home. I can’t—I can’t sit here waiting for more bad news.”
“Rach,” Logan murmured, reaching for her friend’s hand.
