Caught in the Undertow (Hawaiian Crush #6) Read Online Free PDF Page B

genetic similarities made her heart ache. She was a sister she would never know.
    Coen put the flowers down then stood still. He stared at the headstone for a long time, saying nothing. Sydney held his hand and rubbed his knuckles with her thumb. The tears fell down her face but she stayed as quiet as possible. The slight breeze moved through her hair. The only sound was the slight rustle of the leaves. She heard Coen sniff but she didn’t look at him. She waited.
    Coen wiped his eyes then sniffed again. He swallowed his emotion and regained his composure. Sydney didn’t need to see him cry to understand how much he loved and missed his sister. The pain and despair was etched onto his face.
    The grave was already covered in flowers. Sydney assumed they were left by other family members and friends. She was never forgotten. Sydney knew she was loved.
    Coen placed his arm around her waist and held her close. “Thank you.”
    She leaned her head on his shoulder.
    “This has been a lot easier with you,” he whispered. “I know you feel helpless, at a loss of words , but just having you beside me makes a difference.”
    She wiped her tears away.
    “My sister would have loved you.”
    “And I love her,” she whispered.
    He took a deep breath then pulled her away from the grave. They got back into the car and drove to Coen’s parents’ house. They were still quiet. Coen hid his emotion well, but his blue eyes were still dark and lifeless.
    Sydney was surprised by th e warmth that greeted them when they walked inside.
    “Hello, honey,” Vivian said as she hugged Sydney.
    “Hello,” Sydney said quietly.
    “Ah-hem,” Coen said. “Remember me? Your oldest son?”
    His mother rolled her eyes. “Yes, I remember you.” She hugged him and held him tightly.
    “I heard you had a dinner party the other night,” he said.
    “It was last minute.”
    “Just admit that you like Sydney more than you like me.”
    She pulled away and smiled at him. “I love her just as much.”
    “Well, that’s a little better.”
    Her eyes softened when she stared at her son, a glimmer of emotion passing.
    “I love you, Mom.”
    “I love you too,” she said as she hugged him again.
    Sydney watched with a smile on her face and moisture in her eyes. Coen was so close to his family. She was grateful to be a part of it.
    Jordan came down the hall and hugged Coen.
    Sydney had never seen them embrace each other or even be civil to one another. This was obviously a special occasion.
    Jordan pulled away then hugged Sydney.
    Sydney returned the affection warmly.
    When they came into the kitchen, the food was already laid out. Coen’s grandparents were there and they chattered with Sydney for a while, delighted to see her. Gilbert was quiet. He greeted Sydney but didn’t say much. Nathan seemed to be taking the day the hardest. He couldn’t smile and he couldn’t speak. He kept to himself.
    When they sat together, they all held hands. Sydney watched everyone bow their heads and close their eyes. She did the same out of respect. After Vivian said the prayer for his sister, they dropped their hands.
    Dinner was quiet, not as talkative as it normally was. The tension and despair was in the air. When Sydney looked at the counter, she saw all the pictures of Coen’s sister. There was an image of her in her soccer uniform, dance practice, her high school prom. It was a sad sight.
    Coen didn’t say anything. He ate his dinner, his eyes downcast to his plate. Sydney watched him discreetly, making sure he was doing okay. Even though he seemed strong, she knew there was a hurricane of pain deep inside him.
    After dinner, they gathered in the living room and played board games like they usually did. Everyone wasn’ t as enthusiastic about it. Coen kept looking out the window, forgetting when his turn arrived. Nathan didn’t participate at all, choosing to sit on the couch and watch TV. Sydney felt their pain leak out from every pore. Coen’s family