Page 122 of Rite of Unity

I stared at it: a hexagon, white and flecked with oats.

“My soap?”

He paused on the ledge.“It was your welcome gift.I didn’t want you to run out.”

I didn’t move.

“Calden.”

Too late.He was already gone.

Chapter 29

Elias

MicahparkedtheSUVoutside Josh’s home.I stepped out, giving him a last glance before I moved up the path and rang the bell.A flash of blackened walls, bodies piled against a door—I couldn’t seem to shake the image from my head even days later.

I pressed the bell.

The door creaked open, and a wide smile lit Josh’s face.“Elias!”He stepped forward, wrapping me in a tight hug.“It’s so good to see you.”

“You too, Silva.”

Inside, we sat.He ran a hand through his hair.“You have no idea how good it is to talk to a friend.”

I laced my hands together in my lap.“What’s going on?”

He sat back.“It’s killing me.I thought—” He looked up, a smile stretching across his face.“I mean it’s always been, Ruth.”

I nodded.Straight to it then.“But?”

“Leila is… And Junia.”He sat forward again.“Shit man, they’re all great in their own way.”

I unlaced my hands, grinning.“I know exactly what you mean.”

“You do?”He let out a sigh.“I thought it was just me.How do you do it?”

“Choose?”

He laughed shakily.“Send them home.”

My brows bunched.“Oh.”

His hand scraped through his hair again.“It’s not that I could really see myself with most of them, but they’re all sweet.Kind.Their mothers come to my Rite balls and pin me in place with their angry stares.”

I chuckled.“The mothers can be daunting.”

“What about mothers?”

We stood as Josh’s mom entered the room, two cups on a tray.

“Tea?”

“Thanks, Mrs.Silva.”I accepted a cup, sitting as Josh did the same.

“It’s so good of you to visit us, Elias.”She smiled, patting Josh’s shoulder.“He’s in desperate need of your guidance.”

Her wide smile was infectious.