AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Rayelle! Just because I’m white doesn’t mean we were raised to hate anyone who doesn’t look the same. You should know that. It didn’t take long for me to decide you’re my sister. And you may be Puerto Rican, but you fit the definition of basic. Admit it.”
She laughed along with him. “You’re right. I gotta have my pumpkin spice and my yoga pants. I don’t think you were raised that way, but that’s why I would have almost expected Brandon to be that way.”
Rayelle was right. Brandon seemed to have done everything the opposite of how he was raised. Their mother may have had some mental health issues, but she raised them to have good morals and ideals, doing everything in her power to keep them from turning out like their father. Their father had treated her like shit and then disappeared before Brandon was even born. It was crazy how Brandon could act just like him despite never meeting the man.
“I don’t understand why he was the way he was. I’m not glad he’s gone, but I am glad there won’t be any more turmoil. Hopefully, Samantha can find some peace,” he said quietly.
He could feel Rayelle’s gaze on him, but he refused to look in her direction. His feelings weren’t silly. He was human and hated the idea of anyone being mistreated.
“I’m already tired tomorrow,” he joked. “I have a million things to do but I had someone take a few days off, so I’ve been working. I’m not sure if I should work tomorrow at all. I know it’s driving distance, but I’m thinking of getting a hotel in the city, so I don’t have to deal with the drive.”
“You know how traffic is in the mornings. That’s probably not a bad idea,” she agreed. “I’ll go with you. We can get a room for tomorrow night and Thursday night, and you can start your work week fresh on Monday. Close or not, no one can blame you for taking a few days to bury your brother.”
He thought about it. He really wasn’t interested in fighting traffic to and from the city. He also didn’t want to be around a bunch of people who didn’t understand how he was feeling and assumed he was just a normal grieving sibling. A couple of days in New York City didn’t sound half bad.
“You don’t think Dominic would mind?”
She looked at him like he was crazy. “You should know the answer to that. Blood or not, I’m the only family you have left. And he’s your best friend. I’ll run the plans by him, but I already know he’ll want me to go with you.”
Chapter 6
Bryce opened his eyes to unfamiliar surroundings. It took him a moment to adjust to waking up in the fancy hotel room. There were no adjoining rooms available, so Rayelle talked him into booking a one-bedroom suite. He had insisted she take the bedroom so she could have more privacy. The sofa bed was plenty comfortable, and She had seen him in less than the sweatpants he slept in.
Sitting up, he looked around the room, his eyes landing on the suit that hung beyond the open closet door. The funeral was a few hours away and he was ready for it to be over. As cold as it sounded, he was anxious to close the chapter and move on. He’d lived his life in limbo since his mother died. It wasn’t easy knowing he had a brother out there who had severed ties without any explanation. He did what he could to keep his distance without judgment, but he wasn’t able to understand what could cause Brandon to be so angry with him even after their mom was gone.
“You ready for today?” Rayelle emerged from the bedroom wearing a hotel bathrobe over pink polka dot pajamas.
“Nice slippers.” He chuckled at the big pink bunnies on her feet. “I’m ready enough. How about you?”
She sat down on the edge of the bed. “It’s weird. I know we’re here for his funeral, but I already grieved his loss when your mom died. He was dead to me when he left you to deal with that.”
He inhaled a sharp breath. She somehow put the gist of what he was feeling into that short statement. That could explain the feeling of limbo. He had already grieved for someone who was still alive, but he’d known it was only a matter of time before he would have to grieve for him again.
“I didn’t mean to sound harsh,” she began to explain.
“No. You didn’t. You said it perfectly. I’m glad you insisted on coming with me.”
“I would think you’d be used to me always being right. Now let’s order breakfast. We need a drink before we get this thing started, and if it’s mimosas we’re fancy and not a couple of drunks.”
Bryce covered his face with his arm and laughed. Leave it to Rayelle. All those years of friendship and he still never knew what to expect when he was talking to her. The week seemed to move in slow motion, but somehow the day of the funeral arrived before he knew it.
“I can’t wait for you to meet Samantha. You’re just what she needs,” Bryce said while still laughing.
“I can’t wait either,” Rayelle agreed. “She seems important to you in this short period of time. She’s okay with me coming with you guys?”
“I haven’t talked to her, but this isn’t a date. I’ll introduce you two in person.”
“Sounds like a plan,” she agreed. “Why don’t you hop in the shower, and I’ll order breakfast. When you get out then I’ll get ready.”
“Yes ma’am.” He gave a salute then headed for the bathroom.
“And don’t take all morning!” she called after him.
Several minutes later, Bryce wrapped himself in the hotel robe he found hanging in the bathroom and rejoined Rayelle in the living area. As nice as the bathroom was, he didn’t want to get dressed in his suit in there. She was just uncovering a plate of food when she looked up at him. He eyed the two plates of food, bottle of champagne, and carafe of orange juice.
“Why do I feel like you’re celebrating?” he asked.
“Stop. I am not. It’s just French toast and bacon. And it made sense to do the mimosas this way. Do you have your travel cup?”
