“I don't want you to see me like this.”
Reaching Kellie’s side, I dropped beside her and dragged her into my arms. In the moonlight, I could see her red-rimmed eyes and tear-streaked cheeks. Putting my balls on the line, I leaned forward and kissed her salty lips gently.
“Jake,” she said again. This time my name was soft and sad, and I wasn’t sure which was worse. Both fucking hurt like Gladiator had driven his pointed horns straight into my ass.
“Don’t pull away from me, Kellie. Please,” I begged. “I know I fucked up back then, but I was young and stupid and messed up.”
“I know.” Kellie hiccupped, and it was the most adorable little sound I’d ever heard.
“But it was no excuse. I should’ve talked to you. I should’ve taken you with me.”
“What?”
“What?”
“You would’ve taken me with you?” Kellie asked, turning in my lap to face me.
“I’d go anywhere with you, Marshmallow,” I promised, pushing my luck.
“Then what happened? I don't get it.”
Taking a deep breath, I knew now was my moment. I wasn’t sure I’d ever get another. I had to take it or risk losing everything, and if I didn’t, Kellie would be gone. She wouldn’t be so trusting, and I had so much more to lose. Cassie was part of our world, a huge part—the part that would forever keep us together but could also tear us apart.
“I left because I couldn’t stay. The night before, do you remember?”
“We stayed up on the hill and slept in the back of your truck,” Kellie stated.
“I don’t remember much sleeping, but yeah, we were in the back of my truck.” I smiled down at her, loving the way her cheeks blushed as the memory hit her. “Before that, when I’d gone to pick you up, you weren’t ready.”
“I was so,” Kellie protested weakly, even though she knew she was lying. The woman would be late to her own damn funeral.
Ignoring her fib, I continued, “I showed up early. I wanted to talk to your mom. I’d already called Cassidy.”
“You called Cassidy?”
“I did.” I nodded.
“Why?”
“Because I knew how much she meant to you.”
“She was my best friend,” Kellie confessed, her voice cracking with emotion.
Those two were thick as thieves, and that’s why I’d called. I knew Kellie would want Cassidy’s opinion and would be desperate for her approval so I beat her to it.
“She loved you,” I confirmed.
“I miss her.”
“I’m sure you do. But she’ll never be gone. God! Look at our beautiful daughter and tell me Cassidy isn’t in there somewhere.” I smiled as I kissed Kellie’s forehead.
“Let’s just hope Cassie doesn’t decide to follow in her aunt’s footsteps and pursue singing because as much as I love her, Cassie can’t hold a tune to save her life.”
“No, she can’t. But damn, she’s cute when she tries,” I reminded her with a smile. “Cassidy would’ve loved her. Spoiled her rotten, but she would’ve been the best aunt.”
“I hate that Cassie will never know her,” Kellie confessed.
“Then we’ll have to make sure we tell her. Every chance we get, we tell her about her aunt the whole world loved.”
