Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 82132 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82132 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
“Do I even care about you? I love you and your brother more than the entire universe,” I say, the tears flowing down my cheeks. “But it’s time we start trying to move on, Dylan.”
“Are you serious?” he snaps back.
“Yes. It’s what your father would want,” I say.
“Convenient that you can speak for him since he’s not here to defend himself. What do you even know about what he would want? He divorced you.”
“He was my best friend for many years, Dylan. I knew him better than anyone, and the last thing I’d ever want to do is disrespect his memory. I’m not getting into our divorce because that’s none of your business. But your father and I loved each other, and I know he’d kick my ass if he knew I was letting you and Carter—and me, for that matter—sit around and stop living.” I wipe my face with a napkin. “You can believe that or not. But it’s the truth.”
“I choose not.”
Dylan stands and storms out of the kitchen, leaving the three of us sitting in his wake.
“He’s big mad,” Carter says. “Like, big, big mad.”
I need a moment to gather myself. But all I feel is Jay’s and Carter’s eyes on me.
Jay. He saw and heard all that. Damn it.
I look across the table. He smiles softly at me.
“Hey, Carter,” he says. “Does your mom ever let you eat in your room?”
“Sometimes. Not very often.”
“Does that sound like fun?” Jay asks.
“Yeah. Duh. I can play my game and eat my burger.”
I nod, then look at my plate.
“Why don’t you go ahead and eat up there tonight?” Jay says. “I’ll take it up with your mom.”
“Yeah!” Carter grabs his plate and flies to the steps. “Don’t yell at me, Mom! It’s Jay’s fault.”
The sound of his voice makes me smile, despite my aching heart.
“Well, that went worse than I imagined,” I say, my temple throbbing. “I’m so sorry you had to see and hear that.”
Jay sits back and sighs. “You know that none of that has anything to do with me or you, right?”
“Right.” I snort. “That has everything to do with me and a little bit with you, probably.”
“He’s in a bad spot. He’s a teenage boy with raging hormones who’s missing his dad. And he wants to do everything he can to protect his family. He sees me as a threat—like I’m going to be the guy that takes you, his last person on earth, away from him.”
Oh, damn. “I didn’t even recognize that.”
“I was a teenage boy once.” He rolls his eyes. “One that played varsity baseball and lettered for four years, despite what your youngest might say.”
That makes me smile.
We sit quietly for a while, listening to Carter’s footsteps above us. Finally, Jay sighs.
“Do you want me to go?” he asks. “I don’t want to leave you alone if you need me. But I also imagine you might want to talk to Dylan.”
“I do need to go up and talk to him. But, gosh, I don’t want to.”
Jay stands. “You go upstairs and wash your face. Take a second to calm down. Then go talk to him and remind him you aren’t going anywhere.” He stops beside me and kisses the top of my head. “I’ll put the plates in the dishwasher and the leftovers in the fridge. Then I’ll head home.”
I put my arms around his waist and nuzzle against his stomach. “Thank you.”
“It’s no problem.”
And then I think of Dylan’s words. “Convenient that you can speak for him since he’s not here to defend himself. What do you even know about what he would want? He divorced you.”
A million thoughts flood my brain. Is Jay right? Is Dylan saying all those horrible things because he’s trying to protect his family? Trying to make sure he doesn’t lose me?
The thought breaks my heart into pieces. I’ve never once considered that Dylan, or Carter, would be fearful of losing me too—especially not to another man.
But how can he consider Jay a threat? Jay has been nothing but kind and supportive to both of them. Dylan can’t seriously consider that I’d betray Chris’s memory . . . can he?
With a heavy heart, I get to my feet and wish this night had gone differently. I have no idea what to say to Dylan. Not a clue. If Jay walked away from me now, I wouldn’t be surprised. Hell, I kind of want to walk away from me right now too.
Instead, Jay pulls me in for a hug. In his typical way, it exudes comfort and strength. It makes me believe that we’ll all get through this . . . somehow.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” I say.
“I hope so.”
We share a smile before I head for the stairs.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
GABRIELLE
Dylan, can I come in?” I ask.
“No.”
I crack open the door anyway and find him lying on his bed with his back to me.