Chapter 54
Fifty-Four
I can’t remember the last time I stepped foot in Jackson, California.
Maybe graduation day. And the only time I ever came to the cemetery, besides the day Brice was buried—was when Brice and I brought dates here on Halloween.
Our big plans of the girls getting scared and needing our strength and comfort might have backfired. Big time.
I never wanted to come back. I never thought I could handle it. Brice shouldn’t be here. And yet, it’s peaceful. It’s quiet. In some strange way it reminds me of my cabin in the woods. And with Stella’s hand in mine, I bravely step up to the flat gray stone with my best friend’s name.
Brice Everly
Son, Brother, Friend
I swallow past the lump in my throat and look at Stella. But she’s stronger than me. Maybe because she’s been here before, maybe because she just is. She crouches next to the stone and brushes away cut grass and debris before laying a single red rose next to his name.
“Mom had one stipulation on this stone.”
I peer from the stone to her face looking up at me, waiting for her to finish.
“She didn’t care if Dad added trees or mountains or a sunset. She wanted us represented. Mom and Dad,” she points to the word son. “Me,” her finger shifts to brother. “You,” she says, landing on friend.
I swat at a straying tear. But my throat is tight. I can’t say anything.
Stella stands, her warm hand finding mine once more.
She pulls in air, her nostrils flaring slightly, and then, as if her brother were standing before us, says, “Brice, Roman and I are married.” Her chest rises and falls with another deep breath.
“It didn’t come about normally. And probably not in any way that you would approve of.
But—” She glances at me, then back to the stone with her brother’s name. “I love him.”
I clear my throat. “And I love her,” I manage to say.
Stella’s hand tightens around mine and she leans into me. “And we’d like your blessing.”
And then we wait. We stare at Brice’s stone until there are tears on my cheeks. Stella leans her head to my shoulder, letting the silence speak for her brother.
And yet, I have things to say. If only my body would let me.
Swallowing, I summon my courage. “I love you, brother,” I say—though I don’t know if Brice can hear me. Stella says he can. Stella says he’s with us. “And I’m going to take care of her,” I tell him.
“We’re going to take care of each other,” Stella says.
I nod. “Right. We’re taking care of each other.”
Stella leans her head on my shoulder; her hand still clutched in mine. “Ready?” she says after another moment of quiet.
“Yeah.” I am ready. Stella’s making sure of it. I feel like me again, in so many ways and I’m certain it’s all because of her. Brice would be glad to hear that.
“Oh,” Stella says, pausing before we’ve completely turned around. “I finally watched Star Wars,” she says to the stone, to her brother. “And I am officially a fan. I thought you might want to know.”
A soft, quiet laugh rumbles in my chest. “It’s about time,” I say for her. For Brice. It’s what he would have said.
“It really is.” She smiles at me, then lifts on her toes, pressing one soft kiss to my lips.
It only leaves me wanting more, but that’s okay. I’m taking Stella home with me. And I intend to show her every single day for the rest of our lives, just how much I love her.