Page 18 of Through the Storm

My father lifts a hand, dismissive. “Fine. Do what you want.”

And just like that, the people who were supposed to love us most turn their backs on us.

The moment we walk through her front door, Grandma Patty has her arms wide open. She doesn’t ask questions. She just pulls me into her arms like she’s been waiting her whole life for this moment.

“Oh, honey,” she murmurs into my hair. “I’ve been preparing your room.”

I don’t make it past the first hug. I sob into her shoulder, shakingso hard I can barely stand. Declan stays behind me, fists still clenched, jaw tight, like he’s daring anyone to try to hurt me again.

Grandma Patty kisses my temple, then looks over at Declan.

“Both of you. You’re mine. And you’ll never be alone. Not now. Not ever.”

I press a hand over my mouth.

“They... they said...”

“Forget what they said,” she orders, fiercer than I’ve ever seen her. “They don’t see what’s in front of them. But I do. You’re strong, Katherine. And this baby?” She cups my face like it’s precious glass. “This baby is a blessing. Don’t you ever doubt that.”

Fresh tears spill over, but for the first time in weeks, they aren’t just from shame.

Declan finally lets out a shaky breath and pulls us both into the hug.

“Thank you, Grandma.”

“Don’t thank me.” Her voice softens as she strokes my hair. “This is your home. Always has been, always will be.”

CHAPTER SIX

ben

PERSONAL MOVING CREW

I tellmyself I’ll wait for Mateo and Leo. That we’ll all show up together like a proper moving crew.

I last ten minutes. Then I’m in my car, driving to Grandma Patty’s like the house is on fire. Because the second Ella hangs up and says Katy’s parents reacted badly and that she needs to get all her things outtoday, I know exactly what that means.

They gutted her. Fucking assholes.

When I walk through the door of her grandmother’s house, she’s curled on the couch, face blotchy, wrapped in a blanket like she’s trying to make herself smaller.

The girls are trying their hardest to make her feel better. Lily is currently winning. She keeps talking to her belly, and it’s making Katy smile. I’ll have to buy her a present for that.

Seeing Katy like this is brutal. I want to tell her she isn’t alone, but words burned me last time, and she doesn’t want them from me now.

So instead, I do what I’m good at. I make her laugh. I take one of the face masks the girls brought for her and put it on, along with the headband thing I’ve seen Ella wear.

If I can’t fix what they broke, I can at least look stupid enough todistract her.

“Ella, why have you not shared these with us? It’s not fair.” I tease.

Katy fights a smile. “Oh my God, Ben. You’re ridiculous.”

“What’s ridiculous is my complexion. Now scooch.” She reluctantly moves a little so I can sit next to her. “How long do I have to keep this thing on?”

Ella laughs. “Just like ten minutes.”

Ten minutes of forced proximity. I’ll take it.