Page 142 of Forged in Rain

Cyn and I will be moving into an apartment. I’m looking forward to that tiny bit of peace we all deserve. Joey will be staying with us. He’s doing better, but the spark that made him my mischievous brother is missing.

We visit Mom as much as we can, but we’ve seen no progress. She missed Dad’s funeral, which I know would upset her if she understood what was happening. For now, it’s a waiting game.

“Rainbow Joyce Flaherty.”

I take my diploma with a grin and laugh when I hear the guys hoot and holler, their voices outshining those from the audience.

Turning to my future, I raise my diploma in the air and sigh, falling into his gorgeous eyes as he bucks the rules and approaches, pulling me into his arms.

“It’s you and me now, beauty.”

“I look forward to it,” I breathe, meeting his lips halfway.

Epilogue

Jig

Cyn shifts beside me, and I glance up, my throat burning when he flashes Rain a brilliant smile. Although I'm happy for my broody, asshole friend, it doesn't prevent the familiar sting that fills my hollow chest. Why? I don't know. I'd rather cut off my left nut than be tied down.

Rain's face lights up, and I look away into the pretty blue eyes of a student I half recognize. A junior, maybe? Senior, now. Her liquid gaze searches mine, and I lick my lips playfully before waggling my brows, but instead of the answering grin I expected, her mouth puckers in a frown.

Chuffing, I look away, ignoring the tingle in my chest. Cyn glances at me sideways before turning back to Rain, and I exhale slowly, standing when he and Bastion do.

I mimic their shouts, noting absently that Rain blushes to the roots of her hair at the racket before she holds up her diploma. But I’m blind to what’s before me, and squeezing my hand into a fist, I can’t resist another look at the girl with the all-seeing stare. Except, she’s gone and with a weird flutter in my chest, I uncurl my fingers and turn back to my family.

∞∞∞

THE END