Free Luke (A Redemption Romance #1) by Anna Scott

together.
    When the car pulled up outside, we traversed the sidewalk, travel mugs of coffee in hand ready to face what awaited. Luke opened the back door for me before the driver was able to, I slipped to the opposite side of the car and Luke got in after me. He was still distant, visibly upset, but it was perfectly natural to be. I made a conscious effort not to worry about it.
    We greeted fellow mourners, so many expressing their bafflement at what Nolan had done. We received kisses and hugs, handshakes and back pats from well over two-hundred people. It was all I could do to not run from the chapel screaming. It was only Luke and the presence of our friends that kept me grounded.
    By the time we made it to the cemetery in the procession, we took our places and the pastor, who had given the eulogy and guided the service at the chapel, provided an opportunity for us to come forward and toss dirt onto the lowered casket. That was the single most difficult thing I’d ever done.
    Looking down into that hole, knowing that Nolan, my wonderful, protective older brother was inside: not because he’d died a hero overseas, not because he’d had a freak accident, or some unknown medical condition, but because he’d made the choice to take his own life. I could only imagine the anguish and pain he must have been feeling in the days, weeks and months before. How did I not see it? How would I move on from this? How would I go on without my big brother?
    Feeling a hand grip my shoulder, I expected it to see Luke, but when I swiveled around to look, it was Reed. I turned, tears streaming down my face and planted my face right in Reed’s chest. His strong arms surrounded me, rocking me back and forth. He had completely closed me inside the warmth and protection of his body, I felt like I was being shielded from the outside world.
    I hoped that even if I stood there forever, no one could see me, no one would talk to me about why Nolan had made the decisions he had, and no one would ask me how I was doing. No one would tell me that everything was going to be okay. I didn’t want to be strong anymore. I didn’t want to stand with my chin up, eyes troubled but hidden behind large square frame black sunglasses. I wanted to get away, to run away, I wanted to escape this madness.
    Somehow, Reed had moved us away from the crowd of people, we were nearer to the cars now and hidden behind a small cluster of old growth trees. I stayed in his arms and cried for so long, I didn’t even know if people were still here. I didn’t know where Luke was, I didn’t know how my aunt was doing. I’d taken this time and had been completely selfish. I needed the time alone or alone with Reed, to allow my feelings to come out. I really wasn’t up to being around everyone. I just wanted to sit in a dark room and drink, or wallow, or something. I didn’t want to have to put that damn brave face on anymore.
    Reed leaned down once my crying had lessened and asked “what can I do Red?”
    Reed’s stupid nickname for me brought just a little lightness to my heart. “Can you get me out of here? I can’t do this Reed; I can’t be around all these people right now.”
    “Sure, do you want me to tell Luke?”
    “Where is he?”
    Reed tilted his head toward the empty chairs. We’d been gone from the group so long that most had cleared out. He sat alone, head in his hands and stared sightlessly at the ground.
    “He needs me.” I told Reed and took off at a run toward Luke. As I neared him; I crouched down in front of him, kneeling in the grass and wrapped my hands around his forearms, meeting his eyes when he looked up.
    “Luke, let’s go, we can just stop in at the dinner. Your mom is there, she can stay with Aunt Mary.”
    Luke didn’t speak, but nodded his agreement; he stood, helped me up and instead of walking toward the town car; he wrapped his arms around my waist and buried his face in my hair. His body shook with his silent sobs. I saw Reed off