Page 8 of Fight For Me

“Sorry.” I run my hands through my hair, suddenly exhausted. I can’t look at any of them. I certainly can’t look back over to Alex. I wonder if she heard me. I wonder what she’s thinking—

Stop.

My mother’s voice cuts through the heavy quiet. “Why don’t you guys head back to the hotel,” she says. I finally look up to see she’s addressing my uncles and Levi. “Take the rest of the kids over.” Her gaze catches mine. “I think Wyatt is ready for a little space.”

No one moves for a long moment and I feel eyes on me, way too many eyes. Finally, Lennon straightens and moves toward me, wrapping me in a hug. “I’m so sorry about Bruce and Alice,” he says. “We love you, kid.”

The lump is back in my throat, heavier this time. And it only grows as the other brothers follow suit, each of my uncles hugging me tight, telling me how sorry they are. Telling me they love me. When Levi does the same, I’m pretty sure I’m going to lose it. I see my aunts approaching, a few of the older cousins behind them, and I justcan’t. I can’t stand here and hug all of them, can’t handle any more of their sympathy—of their love.

I inhale a ragged breath, pulling away from Levi. I see concern in all of their faces, my dad’s hand reaching for me, but I know I can’t do this.

“Hey.” My mom is suddenly in front of me, her eyes steady on mine. I’ve always been able to read her, could always see every emotion as it crossed her face since I was a little kid who spent far too much time worrying about her. Right now, her eyes have a singular message—you’re okay.

But I don’t feel okay. I don’t know what I’m feeling. But I know it’s not good.

“You’ll see everyone tomorrow before they head home,” she says firmly. “No need to do a million goodbyes right now.”

I’m so relieved my knees feel weak. I keep my gaze glued to the floor as my aunts and uncles gather the remaining kids up and say their goodbyes to my parents. My mom stands firmly at my side, and I feel like an asshole. She probably wants to hug the family before they take off. Her cousin Penny—her best friend in the world—is out there in that lingering group of people, and I’m sure she wants to talk to her. But I can’t seem to find the words to tell her she doesn’t have to stay with me.

“I’m not leaving,” a shrill voice says, and my eyes finally snap up to see CeCe across the room, standing with her arms crossed, glaring up at Aunt Daisy. “I’m staying with them.”

“Sweetie,” Daisy attempts, reaching for her. “We’re just going to give you a ride. Your mom and dad will be right behind—”

CeCe jerks away. “I’m staying with Wyatt!”

My baby sister might be small, but she’s a spitfire. She’s the youngest of all the Ransome offspring, the baby of the whole family—a fact she uses to her advantage. She might look cute and sweet, but you can’t let that fool you. The kid is sassy as hell and stubborn and I can tell just from looking at her that she’s not backing down.

“Let her stay,” I mutter to my mom. “Silas, too.”

She must wordlessly communicate something with my dad because he heads over to get CeCe. I concentrate on taking deep breaths and stare at the ugly carpet while everyone else trickles out. When it’s just my parents and my siblings, I finally let myself sink onto one of the couches.

CeCe immediately climbs up next to me, her arms going around my middle. Silas sits on my other side, his worried eyes searching my face. “I’m okay, you guys,” I tell my younger siblings, glad my voice sounds more normal. “I’m just getting tired. It’s been a long few days.”

My baby sister squeezes me tighter and Silas’s eyes remain every bit as concerned. Will takes his suit coat off before taking one of the arm chairs across from us and Dad is already pulling at his tie. I grin in spite of the shitty day. I’m used to dressing up for symphony performances but it’s pretty rare to see Dad or Will in anything but jeans and t-shirts. “I’m surprised the two of you managed to wear suits all day.”

Dad makes a face as he tugs at his collar. “I can’t believe there are people who wear this shit every day,” he grumbles.

CeCe pulls away from me to point at our dad. “You owe me five dollars.”

He groans. “Why the hell did I agree to the damn swear jar?”

“Because you have a damn dirty mouth,” Will says.

CeCe holds out her hand. “That’s two more each for damn and hell.”

“Why doesn’t Will have to pay for his cursing?”

She grins. “Because you’re the one who’s supposed to be setting an example,Father.”

He grumbles and pulls out his wallet. I catch Silas’s eye and smirk at him. This is not the first time Mom has attempted to clean up Dad’s dirty mouth in front of the kids. She used the swear jar when we were younger, too. But CeCe is the only one who really stays on him about it—and the only one to be so gleeful to catch him when he messes up.

After paying his daughter, Dad joins Mom on a loveseat. “Did Eva leave?” he asks Will, and I realize that my brother’s fiancée is gone.

“She’s gonna hang out with Rose at the hotel for a while,” he says.

I should probably tell him that it wasn’t necessary for her to go. She’s going to be a member of the family soon. But even though I truly like Eva—and think she’s perfect for my brother—I can’t help but feel a little relieved. As we sit in silence together, I feel the tension slowly easing from my body. I hadn’t realized how much I needed this, to sit for a few minutes with my family. Not all the extended family—just the six of us.

“Are you going to stay at the Seattle house tonight?” CeCe asks. “Mom said we could get pizza.”