Page 109 of Deking
The ride to the funeral home isn’t long. I frown when I see all the cars in the parking lot. Extended family was notified, but I didn’t expect any of them to show up for him. They never called when he was alive, yet now that he is dead, they want to be here. What hypocrites.
I take a deep breath before I get out of the car. I don’t want to see any of these people.
Will puts his arm around my shoulders, guiding me away from relatives as we enter the funeral home.
“Welcome. We have set your father’s ashes on the altar. We are ready to start whenever you are,” Mr. Hopkins, the funeral director, informs us.
“Thank you. We will wait until everyone migrates inside,” Will tells him.
“I’ll go and urge them on if you’d like,” he responds.
Will nods. “That would be great. Thanks.”
I keep my head down. I’m not ready for this. I thought I was, but knowing he is nothing but ashes in this very room with me has my heart breaking all over again.
“Isn’t that your boyfriend?” Will’s words tear me from my despair.
I look up and see him. Wyatt Scott looking dapper as ever in his suit. The same suit he wears before games. He is looking my way but doesn’t make a move.
I suck in a breath.
“He’s myfakeboyfriend,” I remind Will.
“Fake or not, he showed up,” Will whispers.
He’s right, of course.
I don’t say that, though.
“Let’s go say hi, then take our seats,” Will prompts.
I follow his lead as he walks us over to Wyatt. It’s then that I realize he isn’t alone. Several people I recognize and a few I don’t are with him.
“Wyatt, thanks for coming, man. It means a lot. We will be sitting up front. You should sit with Lyla.” Will holds out his hand.
Wyatt shakes it. “If that’s what Lyla wants.”
I should say no, but with him standing in front of me, I can’t. I nod instead.
“You brought the whole team?” I attempt to joke with him, but the words fall flat.
“The family. They wanted to be here to support you.” Wyatt steps closer, his hand reaching out to intertwine in mine.
“Don’t you two have games to play?” Will asks Beckett and Clayton, two of our star players who have since graduated and been drafted to the Boston Foxes.
“Coach had to get special permission from Brantley for us to miss a few games, but it wasn’t a big deal.” Clay is the one who answers.
“Well, we appreciate you being here. Dad was a huge Boston Foxes fan. When he was lucid, he would talk about how the team improved since you two came on. He would be thrilled to know you came today,” Will tells them.
“Anything for family. We are very sorry for your loss.” Beckett pulls Peyton under his arm.
“We are. If there’s anything you need, we are here. I’m Peyton, by the way. That’s Grace, Clay’s girlfriend. I assume you know everyone else,” she says to my brother.
“I’m Will. It’s nice to meet you guys. Lyla has talked about all of you. We appreciate you coming,” Will says.
“We can talk later,” Cora says, moving over to hug me. “You let us know what we can do to help. I am not the best at cooking, but we can make some casseroles so you don’t have to cook or whatever.”
I clear my throat. “I appreciate it, but we are okay for now. Thank you all for coming.”
