I close my eyes for a beat and inhale deeply through my nose. When I open them, Colt’s arm is around me, eyes locked on mine. I nod, giving him the smallest smile I can manage. He nods back.
“I’m okay,” Caleb replies, voice soft.
“Come in,” Colt says. “We’ve got tea set up.”
Macy’s eyes light up. “You know I never say no to tea.”
Of course.Of course, she likes tea.He chose tea because she likes it. Not me. Not us.Her.
Colt takes my hand and leads us inside. We sit opposite them—Colt and I on one couch, Macy and Caleb on the other.
“Thanks for letting me come back. I know this must be hard for you…Dee?” she says, like she’s not totally sure of my name.
“It is,” I say, flatly. “And yeah, it’s Dee.”
Colt’s hand tightens around my waist. I let him for now.
“Well, I appreciate it,” she continues. “Caleb’s always asked about his dad. It’s nice to know he’s got him now.”
Colt smiles at Caleb, then gives Macy a nod. “I’ll always be here. For him.”
Forhim.
Not forher.
At least that’s something.
Silence settles in, broken only by the sound of Caleb toying with Macy’s hair.
I hate how perfect she looks like some wholesome Pinterest single-mom dream. And I hate even more how naturally Colt fits into this dynamic.
“Tea?” I ask, and Macy nods.
My hands shake as I pour.
She thanks me with that damn sugary smile, and I return one I don’t mean. Colt gives my hand a squeeze again, and I squeeze back. Harder. He doesn’t even flinch.
“So, Hux is getting tested too,” Colt says, watching Macy.
“Oh, Huxley. He always was such a sweetheart,” Macy coos, her tone drenched in nostalgia.
Colt chuckles. “Yeah, he always liked you.”
Of course he did.
My lips press together as I stare at our joined hands. His brother liked her. Not me. One more reason for them to all reunite as one big, happy, history-laden family.
“Remember that time at the river? With the tadpoles?” Macy says, grinning.
Colt’s face lights up. “When Hux fell in trying to save your hat? God, he stank for days.”
They laugh—genuine, shared, unfiltered laughter.
I freeze.
Another memory they have that I’ll never touch.
“Oh! And what about when Johnny hit on that woman and it turned out she was a hooker?” Macy adds.
