Eye for an Eye (Take a Chance #2)- Lisa Helen Gray Page 0,113
Black. By coming to the funeral, he’s hoping to show Evie that.
It’s also because he loves me and wants me to know he stands by me. I love Evie and will do everything and anything to get her back. He knows that. And if I have to choose, I won’t make the same mistake again. I will pick Evie.
“Do you have everything?” I ask Mum, pulling my jacket on.
“Nearly,” she mumbles, swinging her arm in a gesture for us to leave.
Getting up, I follow behind Jaxon and Lily, coming to a stop at the top of the stairs when I see all my brothers, my sister, and Landon waiting outside, dressed in black.
“What…” I stumble out. I take them all in, warmth invading my chest.
“Now I have everything,” Mum reveals. “You are family. You should stick together at times like this. And Evie needs to know we are here for her. Wyatt needs to make things right with her again.”
“None of us blame Evie,” Eli announces, stepping into the semi-circle. “It was hard at first to find out her role, but now we have the full story, none of us can fault her for her actions. To save one of you, I’d have given the information straight out. She didn’t. You can’t buy that kind of dedication and loyalty.”
“We like her,” Theo explains, pointing between him and Colton.
Colton pulls at his tie, his face a light shade of red. “We never thought bad of her so I’m not sure why we’re explaining ourselves.”
Lily steps forward, taking my hand. “I don’t blame her either. She doesn’t need my forgiveness because she has nothing to be forgiven for.”
Reid swings his keys around his fingers. “I don’t either.”
The rest follow suit, and I feel a lump at the back of my throat. Today isn’t about me. It’s about Evie. Yet each of them stands before me, giving me their support.
Jaxon strolls over, slapping my shoulder. “She’s family. We were all in the wrong for what was said and done. It’s time to bring your girl home.”
Choked up, it takes me a minute to find my voice. “Thank you. All of you.”
Mum links her arm through mine, squeezing my bicep. “This is what family does. Now let’s go. You have a lot of grovelling to do.”
*** *** ***
Being at the cemetery brings back memories of Dad’s funeral. The sun was bright on that day too, and there was a bite to the wind, giving it an eerie feeling.
I’ll never forget it.
Parts of that day were a blur. The people who spoke to me had no identity; voices I heard had no distinct sound. But the sight of his casket, the musky smell of the church, then the feel of the autumn breeze, was distinctive, and has stayed with me all this time.
Parking in one of the allocated spaces, I give myself a few minutes, gripping the steering wheel until my knuckles turn white.
It’s the first time doubt has kicked in. Doubt I will be wanted, doubt I will be needed, and doubt that this is the right thing to do. My only concern is for Evie. I don’t want to make this day any harder for her.
The day of my dad’s funeral, I was surrounded by my family, my brothers and sister. Evie has no one but Rebecca—and us, if she’ll let us.
“He had a beautiful send off,” Mum whispers, gripping the strap of her bag.
It doesn’t surprise me that she knows I’m thinking about Dad. There were times growing up that I truly believed she had superpowers. I’m still not convinced she doesn’t.
“He did,” I agree, thankful it’s just us two in the car. I don’t want my brothers to see me like this.
“Today is going to be hard for her. Remember that.”
Noticing her hand visibly shaking, I reach out and take it. “Whatever she needs, she can have, Mum. I won’t make this day any harder.”
She gives me a watery smile. “I know you won’t. You’re a tough man, Wyatt Hayes, just like your father. But inside, you are a huge softie.”
Leaning over, I press a kiss to her cheek. “Don’t tell anyone.”
We get out of the car, and Mum meets me on my side, walking in step beside me. Leaves begin to flutter around my feet, others dancing in the air around us as we meet with the others at the end of the path, where they are huddled together.
Wondering what has stopped them, I glance up the path, my body