#Chapter 234: Promises Made

The brothers, Carrie, and I are in the living room of the Pyramid together, and it is the most awkward moment of maybe my entire life. Neil is pacing behind the couch, his phone to his ear. He’s calling in favors, looking for places for Carrie to stay and hide. Steven is doing the same but on his tablet. He is sitting as far away from the rest of us as he can on the L-shaped couch. Beau is nearest to him, tucked into the corner of the L. He’s not doing anything but crossing his arms and glaring at Carrie. Archer isn’t even doing that. Instead he’s standing by the doorway, playing with a switchblade. Snapping it open, then closing it, then opening it again. I’m sitting directly beside Carrie, who is barely alert to anyone but herself. She’s holding a tissue box and continuously dabbing away the tears that just keep coming. There’s a mountain of used tissues piling at her feet. I sit very still, not totally sure what to do with myself. I didn’t expect to be back in the Pyramid this