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yourself through something you’re not ready for.”  I know she’s trying to be nice, but I need her to stop.  It’s hard to remember how much I hate her right now when she’s acting like the Tina I married, instead of the Tina who walked out on me when I needed her most.
    “That’s not really your job anymore, is it, Christina?” I say through gritted teeth.  “Why are you even here?”
    “I rode over with Jones.  The chief was tripping balls when you didn’t show up and Tony said he was coming here to check on you.  I don’t know, I figured you’d need a familiar face.”
    “And you thought you’d be that face?” I scoff.  “I’ll be out in a second if you want to wait outside with Jones.”  She knows I basically just kicked her out, and the look in her eyes almost has me taking it back, but I don’t.  Instead, I turn on my heel and walk out of room.  It’s bad enough I have to watch her strut around the house in those tight-ass pants that aren’t supposed to be sexy, but on her they are. I sure as shit don’t need her in my home wearing a short-ass dress and sexy fucking heels.
    I don’t look back at her when I make my way back upstairs to change clothes and my only indication she’s left is the slamming of the door on her way out.  Exchanging the sweats for a pair of jeans, and downstairs I pull my DFD jacket over my tee shirt, I slip into some boots and meet the pair at Jones’s car, Tony in the driver’s seat and Tina already in the backseat, her back turned toward me. 
    Fuck, this is going to be a long ass day.   I should have had a drink before I came out and now that Jones has seen me, it’s too late to run back inside. 

CHAPTER FIVE
TINA
    As expected, we arrive at the cemetery and there’s already a large group of people standing around Yaris’s grave.  I’m not sure if Nick’s been here since the funeral, but I’d be willing to bet he hasn’t.  Getting out of the car, the three of us slowly approach the crowd.  I make my way toward the front, right where I assume Lacy’s standing with Dakota.  Glancing to my side, I’m surprised to find Nick next to me, his face white as a ghost and small beads of sweat forming on his brow.
    I never thought how difficult this would be for him, but knowing the man I used to love, there’s nothing he wouldn’t do for Dakota, and even if being here makes him feel sick, he’ll put on a brave face for Yaris’s little girl. 
    Finding our group, and yes, no matter what happened with our relationship, these are our people—our family—I stand next to Lacy, taking her hand and linking our fingers together.  Even though she and Yaris broke up soon after Dakota was born, he was a constant part of her life, not willing to sacrifice any time with his daughter.  I think Lacy loved that most about him, even if the pair just weren’t meant to be.  Also, with Yaris and Nick being best friends and me and Lacy being as close as we’ve always been, it just kind of made sense, in a weird, awkward kind of way.
    Nick finds his way behind me, giving Lacy a small rub to her shoulders and taking Dakota’s hand much like I have Lacy’s, and smiles down on the little girl who’s a spitting image of her father. 
    “Hi, Uncle Nick.  Mommy says we’re going to say a prayer for Daddy.  Do you want to pray with us?” Dakota asks in a hushed tone, grinning with adoration for her pseudo uncle.  Well, he is her Godfather, as I’m her Godmother, but still, not blood related, not that it really matters.
    “Absolutely, Buttercup,” he responds and I notice him subtly grit his teeth, like he’s holding back emotions he doesn’t want to show.
    Nick glances toward me and I give him a tight-lipped smile, wishing he’d open up, just like I had before we divorced.  Just for a moment, I want to see his wall come down enough for me to try to help him, and just like before, the wall is fortified before I even have the chance. 
    His eyes dart