asked, and my heart shattered at his tearful voice. Nothing could have fully prepared me for this conversation, I realized.
Cassie put her hand on his knee. “He was my brother, James, and I can tell you lots of stories about him. About how funny and annoying and loveable he was. He told the best jokes.”
Cassie fought back her tears, and my heart squeezed again. I’d never had siblings. I couldn’t imagine what it was like to lose one, especially when she’d really lost him to addiction years before.
Then Bash crouched down next to Cassie and smiled up at James. “And your dad was my best friend since we were almost as young as you are now. We have loads of stories and pictures.”
“And he was super awesome on the drums. I bet you are, too,” Jax said, standing behind Cassie and Bash. Tristan and Charlie stepped up next to him. They surrounded us and welcomed us. I never could’ve anticipated this reaction from them. They were genuine, a solid family unit. Even more than most blood-related families I’d met.
I looked up and met Tristan’s gaze and he gave me a half smile. It wasn’t like the ones he’d given me before. It was meant to comfort me.
I wanted to burst into tears, but I would save that for later, when I was alone. I hugged James tight, but it wasn’t long before he was wiggling again.
“Okay. Can we play drums again?” James asked.
Cassie’s laugh was watery, and when she reached for him, he went willingly. He was comfortable with that.
I couldn’t ask for more.
“I’m sorry about that, Evie,” Jax whispered to me when James was focused on the drums again.
“It’s okay. He doesn’t fully understand, but at least now he knows,” I said.
Jax nodded and walked over to James, a big smile on his face as he looked at my son.
“You okay?” Tristan asked. It was the first time he’d spoken to me today, and my breath froze in my chest.
“Yeah. That was rough, but it had to happen.” I couldn’t look at him yet. I didn’t want to get my hopes up.
“Not this way, it didn’t. Jax just spouts shit out,” he said.
I turned to face him, but he was looking at James on the drums.
“It’s okay. I’m glad we’re here. You guys are being amazing with James. It’s more than I could’ve ever asked for.”
Finally, he glanced down at me and his blue eyes were swirling with so many emotions that I couldn’t figure out what mood he was in: happy, excited, sad, resolved.
“We would’ve welcomed him from day one. I’m happy everyone knows now,” he said, and then he walked away.
My heart plummeted to my feet.
He was never going to get past my lies—no, it wasn’t a lie—my omission.
I put on a brave face and sat down on the chair closest to the drums and watched all the love being showered down on James.
Could my heart be full and cracked at the same time?
Over the next week, James and I spent more time with Cassie and the band. Tristan was cautiously friendly to me, but he didn’t hold back with James. He’d even met us at the park with Cassie one day to show her how to correctly push James higher in the swings.
Cassie had taken to telling me everything would work out every time she caught me looking at Tristan. I appreciated her optimism, even if it was misguided.
Tonight we were having dinner at her and Bash’s place. The band was there, of course, along with their manager, Josh, and my mom. I’d offered to bring something, but she’d waved her hand and said no.
“Hey, you guys. Come in,” she said when we arrived that night.
I handed her a bottle of wine. I wasn’t going to show up completely empty-handed.
“Thanks,” she said, ushering us in, before she scooped James up in a hug.
“How’s my favorite nephew?” she asked, and he grinned at her.
“Hi, Auntie,” he said, and Cassie’s grin matched his. They were doing so well together. James had taken to her almost immediately that first day in the park.
I glanced around the room. Everyone was already here, and the table was covered in enough casserole dishes to make it collapse.
“Whoa. How many people are coming tonight?” I asked.
Bash laughed. “We’re a hungry group. You starving, James?” he asked, ruffling James’ hair.
“Yep,” James said, his eyes wide.
“He’s always hungry,” my mom teased. She’d met them all a few days ago, and the entire band had welcomed