Chapter Twenty-Three
“Jenson…” I flush with emotion. “I don’t like the idea of you losing anything because of me.”
He takes hold of my arms. “Do you really think a damn job is more important to me than you? I can do something else if I have to. As long as I can take care of my sons, I’m happy.”
“You love football. It’s in your blood. And I know how hard it is to get a coaching position. Openings don’t just pop up every day. Maybe we should wait until the season ends…”
“Olive…”
We stop speaking as my mother hustles toward us from the other side of the rooftop.
“Oh, Olivia. Jenson.” Mom’s tone is clearly agitated, and we turn toward her immediately.
“Mom, are you okay?”
“Honey, Auntie Sue just went home to God. God rest her soul.”
My breath catches in my throat. “Where is she?”
“She was sitting at the table with Matilda when she slumped over. Cara’s uncle is a doctor, and he performed CPR right away. The paramedics have been called, but it’s already too late. She’s gone.”
I feel hot tears burn my eyes.
Mom leaves us when Dad calls for her, and Jenson and I are alone.
“Auntie Sue must finally be feeling better than she’s felt for a while now,” Jenson says quietly as he kisses my cheek. “And we’ll see her on the other side someday, you know?”
I nod at him through my tears.
This wedding quickly goes from a celebration to a mourning. Auntie Sue was my constant in the Graham family. She was everyone’s constant. The matriarch who never flinched no matter what life threw at her. She was always there. Until now.
And what I overheard between Jenson and Glenn? That weighs on my already-heavy heart when the evening finally ends hours later and I drift off to sleep.
* * *
The next few days are filled with making arrangements for Auntie Sue’s wake and funeral. Meghan takes the boys, but Jenson and I are never alone, and when he tries to make plans with me, I come up with excuses.
“Olive.” His voice is terse as we separate from the rest of the family at the wake. “You’re avoiding me.”
“I’m sorry,” I say. “I just…Glenn’s warning threw me for a loop. I don’t want you making a rash decision based on your feelings for me.” The words catch in my throat. “I want you to take the time to think about what he said.”
Before Jenson can respond, Sheldon walks in the door. He comes over and gives me a hug, and I know he won’t be able to resist. Sure enough, his voice goes low as he mutters, “Olive, I didn’t even know you were dating anybody. Or screwing anybody, for that matter. Whichever it is, you’ve really kept it quiet.”
“Yeah.” I pause. “It’s been that way lately.” I lift my left hand to brush my hair out of my eyes and tuck it behind my ear.
“Do you think you’ll reveal the mystery guy someday?” Sheldon asks me as his gaze lights on my ring. “Looks more serious than just screwing, by the way.”
He turns to fist bump Jenson. “So do you know anything about my little sister’s love life?”
Jenson coughs and takes a sip of his tea before saying, “I don’t think I’m the right person to be answering that question tonight, Sheldon.”
Mom dances toward us. “Oh, Olivia! I almost forgot to tell you Will may stop by in a bit.”
Sheldon’s eyes get so big I think they may pop out of his head. He starts pointing at me. “Is it Will? Is that the guy?”
“No,” I say firmly. “It is not. And Mom,” I say to her. “You know I don’t like Will. I told you what happened the one night I agreed to meet him.”
Sheldon snaps his gaze from Mom to me. The confusion is written all over his face. He doesn’t understand why I’m keeping a secret at my own expense. He knows I could shut Mom up quickly if I just told her I had a boyfriend, if I just showed her the ring I’m wearing. If he only knew.
