Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 83236 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83236 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
“Because I know everything I’m saying is true. Even my father thinks so.”
“No way. You are talking crazy. Your father loves you. There’s no way he’d blame you for any of this.”
“He does, Skylar.”
“Why would you even let that idea settle in your brain?” I ask, truly perplexed.
“Because I heard him say it.”
Those last words are spoken like a guilty secret that is festering in her heart. Hell, if what she’s saying is true—and I definitely think it is—it must be tearing her apart. I can’t even figure out how to respond. I do the only thing that I can think of. I hug Gabby tightly, trying to express without words that she’s not alone. I’m sure she feels like she is. What in the fuck was Skull thinking? I want to go outside and knee him in the fucking balls until he’s forced to sing soprano. Sadly, I can’t really do that, especially since he’s burying his son today.
“I’m so sorry Gabby. No one should ever have to hear anything like that. He’s wrong. I know you won’t believe me, but he’s way fucking wrong. Diego wouldn’t want you to feel like that. He wouldn’t want you to take that load onto your shoulders.”
“It’s okay, Skylar,” she says, drying her eyes. “I don’t really matter. I shouldn’t have said anything. I need to go make sure the food is organized for the dinner.”
“Do you need help?” I offer.
Gabby studies me for a minute, clearly surprised. “Don’t you have things to do?”
“Nope.”
Gabby gives me a sad smile and a small nod. “Okay, if you’re sure.”
“Lead the way,” I tell her with a grin. As we walk, I notice the physical changes in Gabby. She’s lost weight and definitely seems more reserved than I ever remember her being. It’s more than that, though. Her dress is high collared with long sleeves and goes almost all the way down to her ankles. It shows off nothing about her body. Gabby’s not wearing makeup either. The Gabby I remember wouldn’t be caught dead in this dress, not to mention leaving the house without makeup. This new Gabby is painful to even look at.
I follow her to the house where they’re fixing dinner. She leads me past a huge garage area where tables have been set up with chairs. There are three of them and they’re huge. It’s designed for a buffet style meal. There are a series of tables in the corner with a bunch of covered dishes already in place.
We keep walking as she takes me to the kitchen of the house her grandfather used to own. I watch as she pastes a smile on her face. “Do you guys need some help?” she asks in a fake voice. I won’t say it sounds cheerful, but it definitely doesn’t portray how broken she is right now. I watch as some women come over to her, instantly hugging her close. Gabby’s tears begin to fall again. An older woman takes a napkin out of her pocket and does her best to dry Gabby’s tears. “You should be with your mom,” she tuts.
“She and Dad are talking with Carlos. I wanted to find some way to help,” she answers. “Plus, Skylar wanted to help me too,” Gabby adds.
I resist the urge to shrink back when their stares turn to me. The older woman looks at me with a sad smile and wraps me up in her arms. “I’m so sorry about Breaker, dear,” she says, and I return the hug—although I’m a little stilted.
“Uh … thank you,” I whisper, my throat tight. I feel awkward as hell. I don’t want to even think about Mattie being gone for good. I just can’t grasp it.
“You two can grab those platters over there and go put them on the table. The rest of it, we’ll probably wait until the service is almost over before we set it out. You can have one of the prospects outside make sure the coolers are ready, if you don’t mind, Gabby.”
“I’ll do it, Maria,” Gabby responds.
I wince because I didn’t recognize Maria, but now I know how she knew Mattie was my brother. Maria used to be Gabby and her brother’s nanny. Shit. I feel horrible that I forgot. I want to say something but decide not to. I feel awkward enough.
I follow Gabby once more and we take the food outside. We’re checking the coolers and making sure the foil is tight on the platters when Carlos comes over. I pinch the bridge of my nose and hold my head down. This is not good. I’ve been purposely avoiding him. Torin is having a hard enough time with me being here without him by my side, or me wearing his cut. If he walks by and sees me with Carlos, he will lose his shit.