Support System
OPAL
It's times like these when I miss being back home.
And I don't mean this home—I mean the one I grew up in. But what I miss the most is being as free as a bird. I didn't have to worry about anything important. I didn't have to live with constant doubts and insecurities.
Things were stable, and deep down, I hate that my father did this to me.
He became so different after my marriage to Bruce. Before, we were so close, and though he was constantly busy, we'd talk all the time. But now? I haven't spoken to him since the wedding day and he hasn't called either.
Sometimes, I wonder what I did that was so wrong that he cut me off like this.
It stings.
I hear the footsteps of someone approaching me, tense up, then look over my shoulder to find Quinton walking toward me. I relax right away. I think that, emotionally, I'm still back in Alpha Selvar's pack.
I really need to forget those people as quickly as possible.
"Mind if I sit next to you?" he questions. I nod and he settles beside me on the porch swing. It's cool out here, and I like to sit here just to relax.
"So," he begins after a beat of silence, "I heard that the trip wasn't as successful as my brother would have hoped."
I give my head a small shake. "I hate even remembering what happened."
"I'm sorry you went through that," he says genuinely. "Bruce should never have taken you there to begin with. Then again, I think it's a little too late for this conversation."
"I guess so."
We don't say anything else for about five minutes. Quinton is an easy person to be with. I don't mind his presence at all, and I actually like talking to him.
At least he doesn't make me confused the way Bruce does.
"But are you glad to be back?"
I turn my head to look at him and a smile tugs at the corners of my lips. "Surprisingly? Yes."
We talk a bit more about random things—he asks me what I miss the most about home. That kind of thing. I push my misery aside and try to answer him in the best way possible. Deep down, I don't want anyone to know just how unhappy I feel.
That's something I'll keep to myself until the very end.
After lunch, I decide to head up to my room. I look around and my heart sinks a little. This room is starting to feel more like a prison cell than anything else.
And there's nothing I can do about it.
I'm just about to pick up a book when my phone starts to ring. This happens so rarely that I jump for my phone. It's on the nightstand.
My heart swells when I see Gwen's name flashing across the screen. I press the phone to my ear, parting my lips to speak, but the sound of her wails makes my stomach churn.
"Gwen?" I ask, unable to ignore how fast my heart is beating. "What's going on? What happened?"
I'm devastated by what she tells me. "My parents...they're gone."
My heart squeezes tight in my chest and I go weak in the knees. I sit on the edge of the bed and my hand flies to my chest. "Gwen...I'm so sorry. By the goddess. What happened?"
She sobs. "It was so strange. So, so strange. I can't explain over the phone but I need you here, Opal. Please."
"Of course," I assure her. "I'll be right there. Hold on tight, alright?"
I end the call and give myself a few moments to breathe. I can't believe this. My heart is broken. I spent a lot of time with Gwen and her parents, and I love them. Tears fill my eyes and slowly spill down my face. I don't bother wiping them.
This is awful. I have to be there for my best friend.
I head downstairs, unsure of what to do but determined to get whatever is necessary done. I have to talk to Bruce or anyone who'll let me leave to support Gwen.
I venture downstairs and the first person I come across is Quinton. He takes one look at my face and immediately asks, "Is everything alright?"
"My best friend lost her parents," I explain quickly. "I knew them really well and...I have to go. She needs me right now."
Quinton nods. "Yes. Of course, you do. I'll ask someone to get the car ready. I'll take you there myself."
"Thank you," I say gratefully. "I truly—"
"What's going on?"
I turn my head and see Bruce descending the staircase. He's looking back and forth between the two of us with a furrowed brow.
Quinton does the explaining. "Opal's friend lost her parents and she has to be there. I was just telling her that I'll get a car ready for her and that I'll take her to wherever she needs to go."
"I'll go," Bruce says abruptly. "I'd appreciate it if you asked someone to get the car ready for us, brother."
"There's no need for that," Quinton claims. "I know you have a lot of things to do. I'll look out for her."
"She's my wife," Bruce states before his eyes land on me. "So, I'll go. That's the end of it."
I exchange a look with Quinton before he leaves my side. The tension between them is palpable, but I'm not in the right headspace to focus on something like this right now.
Gwen needs me.
"I'm sorry for your loss," Bruce says to me in a low voice. I meet his eyes and I'm surprised to see sympathy in them. "I can tell you're really affected by it."
I nod. It's all I can do.
When the car's ready, I give Bruce directions to Gwen's place, and we get going. I stare out the window the whole time while trying not to let my emotions get the best of me. I have to be strong for Gwen right now.
She needs me.