Veil of Secrets

Chapter Fifty-Six - A New Kind Of Normal

A few more weeks passed before I could go through a single day without tears welling up in my eyes. The grief was still there, lingering like a shadow, but I was starting to live again-not just exist. The fog was lifting, and each day felt a little easier, like I could breathe without the weight on my chest being so heavy.

Damian had been a constant in my life through it all. Every couple of days, he'd show up at my door with some excuse to get me out of the house. Whether it was milkshakes, a walk in the park, or just driving around aimlessly, he always knew when to push me out of my comfort zone without overwhelming me. His presence made things feel bearable.

Emma and Ethan tried too, but they were wrapped up in their own lives with Ryan and Taylor. I didn't want to burden them. They had their own happiness, and I didn't want to dampen that. I loved them too much to weigh them down with my sadness.

Jaxon was another matter. Haley was always kind, but I could tell she felt uneasy when Jaxon and I were alone. She didn't resent anyone, but the boundaries she set were clear. And I respected her for it. She handled things gracefully, never pushing me away but never pretending it didn't bother her either.

Then there was Lucas. The mate bond was always there, a quiet pull in the back of my mind. But every time I thought about him, I stopped myself. I knew that if I went to him now, I'd only be giving him false hope. It wasn't that I wouldn't ever consider a future with Lucas, but I wasn't ready. Not emotionally, and not mentally. And it would be selfish of me to lean on him when I wasn't prepared to be what he needed.

Oddly enough, it was Damian who had become my person-my comfort in all of this. The dynamic between us had shifted. After everything that had happened, we'd found a rhythm, and I didn't mind it at all. In fact, I cherished it. He was there when I needed him, without the complications or pressure that came with the others.

And somehow, that was enough.

One evening, Damian and I were sitting on the front porch, just talking. The sun was setting, casting a warm glow over everything, and for the first time in a long time, I felt... okay.

"You know," I said, sipping on the drink he brought me, "you've become my best friend."

Damian turned to look at me, eyebrows raised in mock offense. "Best friend? Really? I thought I was much cooler than that."

I laughed, something I hadn't done in a while. "You're not cool, Damian. You're... you're my best friend."

He gave me a sideways grin, nudging my shoulder with his. "Well, I'll take it. I guess you're stuck with me then."

We both laughed, the sound filling the quiet evening air. There was something so easy between us now, something that felt natural. I loved the dynamic we had-the banter, the teasing, the way he always knew how to lighten the mood without pushing me too far.

"I really mean it," I added, my voice softening as I looked at him. "I don't think I would've gotten through all of this without you."

Damian leaned back, propping his arms behind him as he looked out at the setting sun. "Hey, that's what friends are for. And for the record, I'm not going anywhere."

I smiled, feeling a warmth spread through my chest. I couldn't ever see things escalating into anything more than this between us-and I was okay with that.

For now, this was exactly what I needed.