Page 24 of Sing For Me

“It’s not that big of a deal, Will,” Silas says, and I have to grit my teeth to keep from blowing up at him. He has no idea what he’s talking about.

“I should go say hi to Mom.” I stand, ignoring the way they both wince at my sudden movement.

“Will—”

I force a smile to my face. “It’s fine, kid. Have fun.”

“Will!” Vega calls as I turn to leave the kitchen. “I have another shoot coming up, you know. You promised you’d help me and you’ve missed the last three.”

“I’ve been pretty busy, Vega—”

“Will.” God, it’s uncanny how much she looks and sounds like my Aunt Paige. And just like Paige, Vega has the obnoxious ability to talk people into doing whatever she wants. Which means in the very near future, I’m going to be helping her produce the latest video for her YouTube channel.

“Text me the details,” I tell her, knowing there’s no sense in arguing.

I turn again to leave but this time catch sight of Presley, staring at me with guilt and concern in her eyes.

I flick the bill on her ball cap. “Say hey to your sisters for me.”

She nods, slightly mollified, and my stomach clenches at the mere thought of this sweet little girl ending up likeher.

Like Skye.

Stop it. Don’t think like that.

I manage a genuine smile for my brother and cousin. “See you guys around,” I tell them, heading to the door.

“Bye, Will!” the younger kids call after me.

“Goodbye, small ones.”

“Fierce Five!” CeCe yells at my retreating back.

Once I’m clear of the kitchen and out of sight, I lean against the wall, taking deep breaths through my nose as I squeeze my eyes shut. It’s been a long time since I’ve let myself get so worked up over this shit.

And of course, I know exactly why things are hitting me so hard today. It’s because of Eva. She showed up in the shop and got me all mixed up, thinking about things that I shouldn’t think about.

“Will?”

My eyes snap open to see my mother at the end of the hallway, hovering in the doorway to her office. “Sweetie, what are you doing here?”

Immediately some of the tension in my chest eases and I push off the wall, heading towards her. She meets me halfway, wrapping her arms around me, and I inhale deeply, her familiar scent relaxing me further.

My mother is the best person I know.

“Hey, Mom.”

She pulls back so she can study my face, her brown eyes appraising. “You’re upset.”

I huff out a laugh. She’s always been so damn perceptive. I kiss the top of her head. “I’m fine.”

“Did you get something to drink?” She starts to move towards the kitchen. “What about a snack or—”

“I was just in there,” I say quickly. “Place is overrun with tiny humans.”

She laughs at that. “What else is new?” She pats my shoulder. “Come sit down. Come talk to me.”

I follow her back to her office, smiling in spite of myself at the familiar sight of her plush cream carpet and elaborate crystal chandelier. My dad had the room designed just for her, back before CeCe was born, when my mother was the only female in a family of rowdy boys. The furnishing and decor are soft and feminine in a way the rest of the house has never been.