Chapter 21
Eve
Tap. Tap. Tap. We knock on Mia’s apartment door. It’s Tuesday, and even though we don’t live right next door anymore, we’ve decided to continue the greatest tradition ever. Taco Tuesday.
She opens the door with her usual fervor and bounces around her apartment to the cha cha music blaring from the speakers. Aaron jumps out of my arms and stomps his feet in the same motions she is. Her blond curls are bouncing every which way, and he’s shaking his booty faster and faster. They really are the cutest together.
I miss her being so close by, but Sam squeezes my hand and winks, which reminds me that we’re still in a better place now. But she is such a great friend and we had a good setup, and I’ll never forget that. Even if Mia and I were to ever fall by the wayside, because that happens sometimes, she’ll always have a special place in my heart.
After dinner, just as we’re starting a rousing game of hide-and-seek, my phone rings. I answer.
“Eve? It’s Jack.” His voice breaks. “Renee said you saw Matthew…”
I excuse myself into Mia’s bedroom. “Yeah, he was here, you know, a while ago, but I don’t know where he is now.”
“I know…” He clears his throat. “That’s because he’s gone.”
“Well, yeah. He was here and—”
“No, Eve. He’s gone. He was in an accident.”
My blood runs cold. “I don’t understand what you mean. He’s gone?”
“He fell asleep at the wheel and crashed. He was drinking. No one else was hurt.” He clears his throat again. “He’s gone, Eve.” His low, smooth voice crumbles into a sob.
My throat is tight, and I fight for air. The sound of him breaking down makes me cry. The sound of his grief is my undoing. Tears flow, and I feel choked.
“I’m so sorry,” I say through my tears.
“Me too, Eve. I’m sorry for everything.” He sobs once, but it sounds as though he’s trying to control himself. “I’ll let you know about the funeral if you’re interested.”
“Yes, let me know, please.”
We say our goodbyes, and I pull the phone away from my ear and press the red button to end the call. When I turn toward the bedroom doorway, Sam is there with his hands resting on either side of the door frame. His face is laced with concern, eyebrows down and eyes glistening with worry.
Words don’t come to me when I look into his eyes. I have no words. There are no words for this.
The steps it takes to meet Sam in the doorway are like a meditation. Quiet and slow and concise, as if I’m walking in a prayer labyrinth. My hands at my sides, still clutching my phone, I lay my head on his chest and fold into him as he wraps his arms around me.
His body surrounds mine naturally, and we gently sway. The slight movement is soothing to my broken soul. Raw emotion and grief threaten to spill once again, but they don’t. Sam sways with more intention and presses his palms to my back with increasing pressure. With each stroke on my back and every whisper in my ear, he makes the pain dissipate before it has a chance to flow and cause more damage to my weary heart.
“He’s dead. Matthew’s dead.”
Sam’s body stops moving. Then he squeezes me again. Harder. “I’m here.”
His soft voice and smooth movements calm me like a lullaby.
He whispers, “I’m so sorry. It’s okay, baby.”
He holds my head to his chest. The weight of his hands on me sends a surge of healing energy to my soul. I breathe in, expecting another sob to burst forth from my chest swelling with pain and sadness and regret and anger, but instead it turns into a deep, shaky, cleansing sigh that ends with a feeling of relief.
I feel another set of arms come around from behind me. Mia and Sam wrap their arms around all three of us for a group hug.
“I’ve got you,” Sam says against my forehead.
“Me too.” Mia’s voice is soft behind me.
“I know.” I finally find the strength to wrap my arms around them both and squeeze. “What would I do without you guys? Thank you.”