Page 32 of Carnival of Crows

“What do you say, Luce?” Catherine asked. “You coming home with us or Damien?”

It was the first time all night one of her friends had used my name out loud.

With that, Luci looked to me, then back to her friends, and closed her eyes and quietly said, “Damien.”

Quickly adding, “If you’re sure that’s okay.”

“I’m sure,” I reassured her.

With that, she slipped gracefully off my lap. The sudden absence of her warmth was immediate. I stood up too as she wandered over to her friends, wrapping Mary in a hug first. Then Amber, Sam, and Catherine.

The four of them immediately pulled together into a circle, whispering loudly enough that everyone in the tent could hear.

Amber squealed. Mary covered her mouth to hide another grin. Catherine glanced over at me before whispering something that made all four women laugh. Sam simply looked over Luci’s shoulder and gave me a pointed thumbs-up.

Subtle. Very subtle.

On my side of the tent, my family had somehow become equally subtle.

“Well,” Cassie said as she made her way over to me. “I think I’m going to head home.”

Jack stretched dramatically. “I’m beat.”

“No, you’re not,” Luca said.

“No, but I suddenly remembered I’ve got…” He looked around. “…something.”

“What something?” Luca questioned.

“I don’t know,” Jack said as he narrowed his eyes in my direction. “Dude. Take a fucking hint.”

“Ooooh!” Luca exclaimed as his eyes widened with recognition.

These fucking idiots.

“Goodnight, Damien.” Cassie waved, stopping by the group of women and gave each of them a hug.

Jack slapped me on the shoulder as he passed. “Don’t screw it up.”

“I hate you.” I laughed. “All of you.”

“Love youuuu,” Luca called as he walked out toward the front of the tent.

Within moments the tent emptied. The girls wandered out, promising Luci they’d text when they got home. My siblings disappeared into the quiet park, Jack whistling obnoxiously as he walked. The canvas flap settled closed and the silence returned.

The chandeliers hummed softly overhead. Only two mugs of cider remained on the coffee table. Mine and Luci’s.

I looked across the suddenly empty tent and Luci looked back.

We were completely alone.

She laughed first.

“I think we were just abandoned.”

“I think,” I walked toward her, “it was intentional.”

CHAPTER 14