Forever, стр. 40

“Be his peace. No man wants to take on the world and have to take you on too. Be his peace.”

I think I understand that now. Mom was Cage’s peace. I reach to trace the tattoo on Brick’s chest, snuggling deeper into his side. His hand flexes on my hip, but he doesn’t wake.

I place a kiss over his heart. “I want to be your peace,” I whisper.

I climb out of bed and grab my phone off the nightstand before creeping into the bathroom. Tipping the phone against my lips, I debate whether or not to call King. Maybe I’m the one who should call him. He’s my brother.

He might take all this better from me. I frown. That might not bring Owen the peace I want.

I blow out a breath and look at the time. Yeah, calling King is definitely a bad idea. However, my sister is always up late. I could call her.

I’ve been trying to text Misty, but lately she’s been ignoring my calls and sending me vague text messages. I sigh, decision made. I need someone to talk to.

“Hey, Eva. Is something wrong?” Sal says into the phone.

“No, everything is okay. I mean, it’s not but it is.”

“O-kay.”

I release a long sigh. “Do you ever miss mom really bad? Like, can’t breathe, wish you could get some of her advice, but know you can’t type of miss her?”

“More than you could ever know,” she replies with a hint of something haunted in her voice.

I get a chill. Looking around the bathroom, I move to climb into the tub. Once inside, I slump down and look up at the ceiling. Tears start to fall.

“It’s not fair. We didn’t just lose one parent we lost them both. I miss Cage too,” I choke out.

“He was the only father I ever knew. So much would be different…” She trails off and goes silent for a few beats. “What’s going on, Eva?”

I wipe at my tears. “Nothing. I’m just thinking. Remembering some of those things mom used to say. I don’t know. I think I just needed to hear your voice,” I reply.

“Eva?”

“Yeah?”

She’s quiet again. “Nothing, I’m glad you called. It’s good to hear your voice.”

“Yeah, yours too. I miss you. I have to come see you or something. Maybe when my internship is over.”

“Oh, yeah, how’s that going? King mentioned it. Do you like it?”

I smile, thinking of my talk with Owen earlier. I am learning a ton from him. I was a bit intimidated by working with actual paper blueprints and not a CAD program, but I’ve learned so much.

When I do get to work on a computer, I see the plans differently. It makes me feel like I’m getting things done more efficiently.

“I like it. It’s better than I thought.”

It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell her about Brick, but I swallow the words. As I do, movement at the door catches my attention. I turn to find Owen with his eyes on me as he leans against the doorjamb.

“Hey, I have to go. I love you, Sal. Talk to you later.”

“Love you too, Eva.”

I stand as Owen walks over to me. “I thought I put you to sleep,” he says, reaching to caress my face.

“You did. I woke up and my mind was wondering.”

He lifts me out of the tub. “Come on, let’s see if we can do something about that. I’m having trouble sleeping without you by my side.”

I smile.

Be his peace.