Page 98 of Carson

The empathy on her face almost makes me regret this. I don’t want anyone’s pity. Especially hers. My problems were self-inflicted. Hers were forced on her. That’s why I keep going.

“Sometimes your head knows you’re safe before the rest of you catches up. Give it time.”

“Did you learn how to keep it out of your head?” she asks.

I’d really like to lie to her, but that wouldn’t be right. I need to be honest.

“About ninety-nine percent of the time.”

She looks over at Rage who is now holding a sleepy Mila on his lap. “The twins finally wore her out,” she says, laughing lightly, but she can’t hide the tears in her eyes.

Chapter Thirty-Two

Carson

“This is my friend Natalie,” Luna introduces the woman standing next to her to me and my family.

Rage stands up and greets her first. “Natalie, we finally meet.”

“This is Chance. You remember me talking about him, don’t you?” she asks, also using sign language.

Natalie smiles. “Your big brother,” she says while signing back. Her speech has a different cadence, and I realize she is deaf herself.

“Yep. The one and only.” Luna grins at Rage. “And this is Lily and Dan, and their son, Carson.” She blushes when she gets to me.

Natalie raises her eyebrows and whispers. “Good for you, girl.”

The two of them laugh.

“It’s nice to meet you,” my mom says, standing up and hugging her. “Luna’s told us so much about you. We’re happy you’re here to help us all learn ASL.”

My mom knew about all of this? They must have talked about this last night.

Luna continues around the club, introducing everyone to her friend as if she herself isn’t new here. Mom sits down beside me. “It seems Luna came to us at exactly the right time.”

I smile at her.

“Jackson told me Luna stayed with you last night.”

Goddamn rumors travel fast around here.

“Is that not okay?”

“It is.” She watches Luna and Natalie sit down with my sister and Tank. “Bringing her friend here was a great idea. It sounds like everyone in the club wants to learn sign language.”

“I think it’s in her nature … to help that is.”

My mom nods, but I can tell she didn’t hear a word I said.

Dad leans over and repeats it directly into her ear and she smiles.

“I agree. It is in her nature.”

The night moves on, and everyone seems to be having a great time. The somber mood of my dad’s announcement just yesterday is slowly being chased away by the moon … and Luna.

Serenity takes sleeping Mila from Rage’s arms. “I’ll see you upstairs.”

He nods, keeping his eyes on her until she disappears inside.