The Last Time by E. L. Todd Read Free Book Online

damn hard.
    We left for the cemetery then met with the director. I never knew funerals were so expensive but they were. When we had to select a casket, Monnique and Javi discussed it like they were picking out furniture. Suddenly, Monnique burst into tears and left the room, the weight of the reality settling on her.
    I ran after her then wrapped my arms around her, letting her cry into my shoulder.
    “I can’t do this…”
    “Yes, you can,” I said. “I’m here. You aren’t alone.”
    “I’m so alone…my parents are both gone.”
    I couldn’t imagine how she must feel. Both of my parents were healthy and well.  “You aren’t alone,” I said firmly. “You have a family who loves you. And I love you.” I knew I shouldn’t keep saying that but it was the truth. I did love her, more than anything.
    “I’m too young to go through this. My parents should die when I’m old, not before I’m thirty.” She stepped away and turned her back to me. “I’ve taken so much for granted. I never appreciate what I have until it’s gone.” She fell to her knees and sobbed into her hands. I knew she was mourning me as well, and that made me feel like shit.
    I came behind her and pulled her into my chest, getting on the ground. I let her cry, keeping her face away from me. My hand hooked around her waist and held her steady. I wanted to say something to make this better, but I was at a loss of words.
    Minutes later, Javi came back. He stared at us on the ground, saying nothing.
    I stood up then pulled Monnique to her feet. “She just needed a minute.”
    “I took care of everything,” he said sadly. “The funeral will be tomorrow. The director took care of the food and the transportation too. The plot has been already paid for since Dad will be buried with Mom.”
    Monnique nodded, unable to speak.
    Javi gripped her shoulder and held her steady. “This is hard for me too, Monnique. You aren’t alone.”
    “I know.” She sniffed. “I’m sorry I’m not being stronger.”
    “Don’t apologize,” he said gently. “You aren’t weak. We just express our emotions differently.”
    I grabbed Monnique ’s hand and rubbed my thumb over the knuckles.
    “Let’s go home and get some rest before tomorrow,” Javi said. “We have a long day ahead of us.”
    She nodded then let me pull her away.

6
    Mike
    When Scarlet invited everyone over, I didn’t think it was for any reason in particular, just dinner and game night. But I was wrong.
    “Her dad passed away?” Cassandra clutched her chest while she listened to Scarlet.
    Scarlet nodded sadly. “That’s why she’s in Seattle. Cortland went with her.”
    Now I felt like shit. “I feel so bad for her.”
    “What should we do?” Sean asked. “Should we fly out there?”
    “I don’t know,” Scarlet said. “It didn’t sound like she wanted us there.”
    “Why are you telling us now?” Mike asked. “Why not a few days ago?”
    Scarlet shrugged. “You and Sean had enough on your plate with your mom. I didn’t want to make it worse.”
    “At least Cortland went with her,” Sean said. “That’s a relief.”
    “Yeah,” Scarlet said. “I hope this puts them back together. It doesn’t feel right when they aren’t together, like something is off.”
    “Yeah,” Cassandra said in agreement.
    The front door opened and Ryan walked inside. But he didn’t look happy.
    “What’s wrong?” I asked.
    He came into the room with Janice behind him. “We need to talk.”
    “What?” Scarlet looked panicked.
    Ryan plopped down into a chair and Janice sat beside him. “Hazel came to my apartment last night. She and Flynn broke up.”
    Everyone was shocked.
    “What?” Scarlet’s eyes were wide. “Why?”
    “They were so cute together,” Cassandra said.
    Ryan had a dark look on his face. “He cheated.”
    Sean raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure?”
    “That doesn’t sound like Flynn,” I added.
    Ryan nodded. “She showed me the text. Apparently, he