Chapter 26 - Luna
I’m sitting at the kitchen island just hanging out and wasting time while watching some random person restock a fridge with snacks and drinks on TikTok.
I have no idea why those stupid little clicks as they add products to drawers and shelves are so satisfying to watch, but I’ve blown an hour mesmerized by it.
The garage door bangs open as Reid and Jules charge in from their workout.
Music blasts from the Bluetooth speaker in Julian’s hand and I try not to stare at their naked, sweaty chests as they shake and shimmy to the song, I’m sexy and I know it by LMFAO.
Reid comes over to the other side of the island from me and does an exaggerated stripper move while singing about how he rolls.
It’s so over the top that I start giggling but it gets even worse when Julian comes up behind him and acts like Vanna White, waving his hand up and down Reid’s abs while singing for me to look at his body.
It’s hard not to look at both their bare chests, gleaming with sweat from their workout.
Both of them have ridiculous cut abs and Adonis belts on their lean bodies.
I try not to drool as Reid jumps back in with, “I work out.”
And then together they strike a pose and finish together with, “I’m sexy and I know it!”
I’m howling with laughter when they bop over to the fridge, grab cold water bottles, and dance their way right back out to the garage to finish their workout.
I don’t know when my laughter turns to tears, but suddenly my head is down on the counter and I’m clutching my stomach as I sob.
I cry because I’m so grateful that they’re here for me and I cry because they’re only here because Atlas is dead.
It’s been months since one of these uncontrollable grief dumps has hit me.
I know I can’t fight it so I let it all pour out until Gage comes into the room and scoops me up.
He carries me to the couch and settles me on his lap with his strong arms holding me together.
He just holds me tight and lets me get through it.
His lips brush over my forehead and he whispers, “I’m here.
I’ll always be here for you, sweetheart. ”
And that makes me cry even harder for how lucky I am, even though I’ve lost so much.