Gray smiles, a little crooked.“It’s my greatest hope that you and Atlas learned how to become friends and learned how to depend on each other.I hope you’ve figured out by now you can trust him.That man shows up, and he’ll always have your back, same as he had mine.You might not believe me now, but one day you’ll see it—he’s as loyal and dedicated as they come.”
My hand clamps over my mouth, sob muffled.
“You don’t owe the past your future,” he finishes, eyes fierce.“When you’re scared, love anyway.That’s the bravest thing you could possibly do.And it’s not just about doing this for yourself.I need you to show Grayce how to be brave.Don’t let her get jaded the way you can be.Show her that people are good and love can be kind, okay?Do that for me?”One more pause, a direct stare to make sure I’m really listening to him.“I love you, Maddie.Take care of my little girl and yourself.”
The screen goes dark.
I collapse forward, forehead on my knees, crying until I can’t breathe.The sobs rack my body so viciously, the muscles in my back knot up.
And then unexpectedly, I start to laugh through the tears, because of course Gray would know exactly what to say.
He always did.
Finally, when I can’t cry or laugh anymore and I’m left with a few tiny hiccups, I sit up and wipe my face.His words echo in my head.Stability isn’t the absence of risk.It’s wisely choosing the things that are good for you, despite the risk.
Choose.
I glance back at the screen.My cursor hovers over the file just below mine.
Atlas_OneLastThing.mp4.
For a long moment, I just stare.Then, with a breath that feels like stepping off a ledge, I click.
The screen fills with Gray’s face one more time and I settle in to listen.
CHAPTER 29
Atlas
By the timethe first knock hits the door, the house looks like a party store staged a hostile takeover.Streamers stretch across the beams, balloons bob at ankle level, and a giant gold banner screams ONE over the dining room archway.Glitter has colonized every available surface.
The kitchen counter is a war zone—veggie and fruit trays, too many dip varieties, charcuterie offerings, and a cake so big I had to clear half a shelf in the fridge.Maddie’s been a whirlwind since sunrise, organizing this chaos to create the most perfect first birthday party a little girl could ever have.
Not that Grayce will remember this, but we will.I plan on taking a million photos.
It’s been a strange few days and I’ve hated the cooling between me and Maddie.I don’t regret at all telling her my true feelings, but I feel bad that it’s causing her angst.But I thought about what Kace said night before last in Detroit—I just need to give her time.I’m confident I can show Maddie that taking a chance on love and a life with me is the best thing to happen to her.
Next to Grayce, that is.
A low growl emanates from Maddie, and I turn to find her glaring at a pack of napkins in one hand and paper plates in the other.
“What’s wrong?”I ask, glancing at Grayce in her high chair.She’s mouthing on mashed bananas, forsaking her spoon in favor of her little digits.
“These napkins and paper plates don’t match,” she mutters.
A quick glance at them and all I see is two sets of paper products that are both pink and yellow, which match the flowers on the cake.But I wisely don’t point that out.
“Do you want me to run to the store?”I offer.
Maddie looks at me as if I sprouted antlers from my head.“Of course not.”She scoffs.“We don’t have time for that.”
So, we make do with mismatched pink and yellow paper products.
“Listen, this party is going to be fabulous no matter what color the napkins are.”
I brace, waiting for her to tear into me, but instead, her eyes soften.“I’m sorry I’m being so squirrely about things that don’t matter.I just want this to be perfect.”
My heart squeezes for her.“Grayce won’t know the difference and no one coming today will care.”
