Reign (The Sainthood - Boys of Lowell High #3)(29)

“It’s not just that. He’s confident in her feelings for him. He won’t care if she doesn’t choose him.”

“What did you say to her?” he asks, gesturing me toward the kitchen table.

“I reminded her I’m only seventeen.” Lo is the oldest, having turned eighteen in April. Caz and Theo turned eighteen in July, and Saint celebrated his birthday in early August. I’m the baby in the crew, but it’s not something we ever dwell on, which is why I’m guessing it never even crossed the guys’ minds.

“Holy shit. I’d totally forgotten that.”

I shrug. “It’s no biggie. At least it makes her choice a little easier.”

We spend the next couple hours poring over websites, getting all the information we need on obtaining a marriage license and learning about everything else we might need to give our girl a special day. We can’t organize anything until we talk to the others about where this should take place. Getting married in Lowell or Prestwick or any area where we’re known is a big no-no, so city hall looks like the best option, but we need to speak to the guys and to Lo, to ensure they are happy with that, and then we can make more concrete plans.

The front door slams open, and I swivel in my chair, watching Saint storm into the house like a force of nature. “What’s up?” I ask, sensing his dark mood.

“The asshole called me while we were in the jewelry store,” he seethes. “He wants us back at the house tonight.”

“Aw, fuck.” Caz places his elbows on the table, resting his chin in his hands. “I don’t want to leave.”

“It sucks,” Theo agrees. “But we knew it was coming.”

“I thought we’d at least get until Sunday.” He pouts.

“Where’s Lo?” Saint asks, looking around.

“In the garden on the outskirts of the forest at the back,” I explain.

“I’ll get her. Start packing,” Saint commands, slamming the door on his way back out.

“Did you get a ring?” I inquire.

“We got rings,” Theo says, grinning. “An engagement ring and wedding band.” He pulls two boxes from his inside pocket, quickly showing us the contents.

“Good choice.” I squeeze his shoulder. “She’ll love them.” They’re not traditional rings, but Lo’s not a traditional bride. She’s always marched to her own beat, and I’m glad the guys picked a ring that speaks to her personality.

“We got flowers and champagne too,” he adds. “We hid them in the car.”

We hurry upstairs to our rooms, packing our shit, and it’s not long before the sounds of more footfalls thud on the stairs. When I’m finished grabbing my things, I head to Lo’s room to see if she needs any help.

“Need a hand?” I ask, leaning my hip against the door frame.

“Could you grab my toiletries from the bathroom?”

“Sure.” I meander into her room, stopping to kiss her briefly.

She hands me a large zip-up bag with a purple leopard-print pattern. “Just dump everything in there.”

I load up her toiletries and help her stuff the last of her clothes in her duffel bag, then I zip it up, ignoring her protests as I carry it out of the room. Saint comes out of his room at the same time, and he grabs both our bags, racing down the stairs.

We pile into the car as Lo activates the alarm and locks the front door. Saint helps her into the passenger seat while I tap out a message to Mom telling her I’ll be over to see her tomorrow. I’ve been checking in daily with Mrs. Murphy, the housekeeper-slash-babysitter I hired to keep an eye on Mom, and I know she’s gone off the rails again, because she disappeared for twenty-four hours. I wish I could say it’s a shock, but the simple truth is, it’s expected. I knew the stress of the explosion, and her daily hospital visits, would get to her and she’d turn to her usual crutch.

I feel like a selfish prick for saying this, but being here this week, away from dealing with Sinner’s shit, and Mom’s shit, has been a welcome relief. Sometimes, I just get so sick of my life.

I glance at the cabin as we drive off, wishing I could continue to hide from my responsibilities, but I’ve always known this was only a temporary reprieve from my fucked-up life. It’s time to return to reality, and as I rest my head against the window, I wonder what kind of shitstorm awaits us back in Lowell.





CHAPTER 11


HARLOW

BILE CRAWLS UP my throat as Saint turns the Land Rover into Mom’s driveway, and I visibly cringe at the sight of a house I once loved. Sinner has ruined that for me too. Taken all the wonderful, happy moments I shared with my parents in that house and trampled all over them. I shouldn’t dread returning home. But I do. I have no idea what lies in store for us behind those beautiful walls. Saint has been tight-lipped the whole journey home, and I don’t know if it’s because he’s worried about what Sinner expects or he’s salty because I haven’t reached a decision.

Saint parks in the garage, and we slowly climb out of the car. No one speaks, and it’s like the shadow of doom is hanging over us.

“Well, this shit is depressing,” Caz says as he unloads our bags on the garage floor. “We should hit the curb.” He flashes me a toothy grin, and my lips twitch.