28. Chapter 25
I ’ve texted Dad a million times because it’s not like I could go to the game. Not with the way I feel and the way I left things with my family. One day, I’ll be able to listen to what they have to say, and when that time comes, it will be on my terms.
Banks hasn’t played yet, and it’s halftime.
Dad and I went shopping this morning for furniture, paint, and basic toiletries I wouldn’t dare take from the mansion. Fern’s particular, plus she promised to come by after the game, and I want everything to be somewhat together.
Koda’s shift was this afternoon after classes. He brought us a late lunch when he came back to the apartment, and we ate at the high-top table in the kitchen. We talked about our classes. I learned that he’s graduating with a major in political science and a minor in business.
He has an older sister who’s a doctor, she has her own practice in Cardis. I can tell how special their connection is by the way he talks about her. His parents also live in Cardis, which is only about an hour from here.
After we finished eating, Koda offered to help me put together the bookcase, nightstand, and towel rack since Dad had to leave for the game. Sitting on the floor of the living room we got everything put together, only having to redo the nightstand once… stupid drawers.
It was nice being present with someone, learning something new about them. My chest eased a little, the pressure now gone from wanting to make sure I didn’t step on his toes. I couldn’t decide on a color for my room, so I narrowed it down to two, and Koda watched as I swatched them.
“The blue might be too babyish?” His voice lifts at the end as if he’s asking my thoughts. Shaking his head, he goes to start again, and I laugh.
“You’re right,” I offer, turning to smile at him. “It is too babyish.”
“I like the gray,” he stands from his seat on the mattress that’s on the floor. I haven’t found a bed frame I like yet, so I’ll have to make do until then.
Coming to stand beside me, we both eye the wall where I’ve put two patches of color. Looking over at him, I double-take, catching him staring at me.
“What?” I rub my face with my hand, “Do I have paint on my face?” Leave it to me to make a mess while painting.
He chuckles and shakes his head, “No, no paint on your face.” My skin heats as his eyes roam my face, he leans closer and whispers, “It’s in your hair.”
A laugh bursts from my throat, and as he lifts his hand and leans forward, I stiffen for a second, thinking he might kiss me. Instead, his fingers brush the strands of hair that I managed to paint blue.
“Well, that’s embarrassing,” I say between breaths.
He looks away and steps back, when he looks back up at me his teeth worry his bottom lip and the same feeling from just a second ago returns. He sways on his feet as if he doesn’t know whether he wants to stay or go.
“Henry I–”
A knock interrupts whatever he’s going to say, and I perk up, passing by him so I can answer the door. Pulling it open, I find Fern, Creed, Dad, and Nile standing in the hall. It’s almost comical until Fern pulls me into her arms and I spot Diego down the hall.
“You brought him?” I accuse, because seeing him sends me right back to that night and I have to hold my tears back by biting the inside of my cheek.
“Don’t worry about him,” Fern says, tapping my chin with her finger, “he’s not coming in, but we all rode together to the game, so he’ll have to wait.”
“How am I going to explain his presence to my neighbors, huh?” Raising a brow, I step away from Fern and fold my arms over my chest. No matter how much I don’t want to see him, I know it’s rude to leave him in the hall, so with a mumbled ‘whatever,’ I hold the door open for everyone to file in.
The apartment’s a good size until it’s filled with four mafia dudes and their queen. The kitchen feels tiny as Fern looks around.
“Nice job, kid,” Creed nods his head in compliment.
“Thanks, and this is Koda. He’s my roommate,” the introduction pulls him from the living room, and he shakes everyone’s hand from across the bar.
“It’s nice to meet you all,” he gives them a warm smile, the kind I’ve seen him give customers before.
“Show me your room, Henry,” Ferns excitement ramps up my own, and I show her new home for this semester. Creed, Nile, Diego, and Dad stay in the kitchen, and I hope they don’t say anything embarrassing to Koda.
“How are you?” She takes advantage of the alone time by bundling me into her arms. The contact feels motherly, and I soak it in. I can tell by the worry lines on her brow that what Dad said was true. She’s been stressed, and it’s mostly my fault.
“I’m okay,” I say into her shoulder.
Gripping my shoulders, she pushes me away and pointedly stares at me as if she knows I’m not.
I sigh and give her a taste of what I’m feeling. “I haven’t spoken to any of my best friends in almost a week. That’s a record, and my family is okay with the love of my life marrying some girl we don’t even know to further their careers.” I can’t help the bitterness that seeps into my tone near the end, but I suspect Fern was expecting it at least a little.
“Oh honey,” she says, pulling me down to sit on the bed. “That’s not true, at least the family part. Creed has been working on another solution for the Romeros. Seeing you like that… Well, I think it finally clicked for him that Banks is to you, what I am to him. He came to bed that night more upset than I’ve ever seen him.”
Hope soars in my stomach, and I have to tamp it out. Even if he did find another solution, I can’t just forgive the things Banks said… I’m not sure I can even get over them. How does someone move on from being told they were never loved by the most important person in their life?
“As for your best friends, I think Tal has been staying far away from Banks. He called me to check on you when no one knew where you were. He called and called. I swear he's firmly Team Henry. ”
The image of Talon being the only one to stand up for me that day has been singed into my brain. He can be a real asshole, but once you’re his, he’ll do anything for you. The voices in the kitchen get louder but taper off quick enough. Good, at least they’re talking.
“I’ll call him,” I promise.
Laying her hands on mine, she squeezes and notices the paint. “Oh, that gray is pretty!”
“I’m going to paint this weekend,” I tell her and watch as her face falls.
“You’re not coming home with us?”
I knew I’d have to tell her, and I know she’ll understand. It won’t make the hurt go away, but I hope it will ease it.
“No, I’m going to stay on campus, work some, get my room together, hand in my midterms.”
She nods, eyes searching the place over. She sniffles, “I understand, but if you change your mind, promise you’ll call? No matter what time it is, one of us will come get you.”
“I promise,” placing one arm around her shoulder, I squeeze her into my side.
“Well, send me pictures once you’re all set up, okay?”
“I will.”
We both stand and walk out the door to a silent living room. I stop, looking around to see what I’ve missed, but only Diego is gone.
“Is everything okay?” Looking at Koda, his mouth is set in a grim line, and my dad’s smile falters. “I’m sorry I’m not coming home this week, but Dad–”
“He’s outside.”
Those two words, uttered in a low tone, make my heart stop. I think my lungs forget how to work and I swallow hard.
“Why?” It’s all I can muster. Why would he come here when he could have easily left from the stadium after the game?
“I told them to wait by the car,” Creed’s stoic voice breaks the silence.
“Them?” I know he means the rest of the core four, plus Gemma and Cin. Fern turns away from me and walks out, Creed follows as he always does, and Nile walks out with them. Leaving Dad, Koda, and me in the room.
“Charlie is with them,” Dad looks like he’d rather be anywhere but here. His face portrays a semblance of control that I don’t have. He must see my confused expression because his voice betrays his neutral expression. “Charlie’s the one he agreed to marry.”
My eyes grow, and my speech wavers. I have to lick my lips a few times and take measured breaths. I wondered when I saw them at the cafe, but…
Is he taking her home?
To our home?
“Fuck this,” I mumble under my breath. Now I’m pissed.
So much for Creed looking for another way out or for Tal being Team Henry. Dad takes a step forward and tries to reach for me, but I’ve had it. “Just go.” I don’t have it in me to cry anymore, God, maybe I’m all cried out. All that’s left is simmering rage and dread.
Dad reminds me to check in because that was the deal, and all I can do is nod.
He’s taking her home .