“Wouldn’t that be weapon of mass destruction?”
“That, too. Especially during her time of the month.”
“Noah!”
“Oakley!”
Mrs. Slater finally steps in, dish cloth thrown over her shoulder. “Okay, you two. Play nice or I’ll withhold the peach cobbler and send the rest home with Silas.” She pretends to huff, but the joy on her face is undeniable. “Swear you three are still ages twelve and sixteen, trying to drive me to the nut house.”
Both siblings mumble ayes ma’ambefore Oakley finishes with my ankle. As the other two return to the kitchen—and by the sounds of clattering utensils, start setting the table—the silence thickens.
As she reels her emotions back in, I can’t handle it any longer. With a nudge to her uninjured leg, I wait for her meet my eyes. She smiles, but it’s forced, and she looks away just as quickly.
“What’s going on, Kates?” I ask softly, careful not to alert the others. She clearly doesn’t want her brother to hear whatever it is.
Too bad for her, I’m a nosy bastard when it comes to her well-being.
“Nothing,” she says too quickly, too upbeat.
“You forget I know you better than anyone. What gives?”
Oakley holds her breath for a few moments before slowly letting it out and looking away. Her voice is a mere whisper as she says, “I quit my job.”
“You what?” I hiss before glancing around to make sure no one else heard. “I thought you loved flying.”
“I like…liked…it, I guess.”
“What changed?”
“I’m just done,” she says. “It was filling a void, but my heart was never truly in it.” Her inability to look at me as she says it sets off every protective instinct I’ve got. Something about her answer doesn’t sit right, but now isn’t the time to push.
“Who else knows?”
“Jett,” she whispers.
Hell. Poor Jett better be good at keeping secrets, or Noah might blow a gasket.
Feeling the need to change the subject, I decide it is time to bite the bullet. She told me her secret. It’s only fair I tell her mine…right?
“I have custody of Aubrey Lynn.”
Chapter 10
Oakley Kate
You know, it takes a lot for all thoughts in my brain to stop. But right now, I could hear a pin drop.
“I’m sorry. What did you say?” Maybe I heard wrong.
Silas nods, his lower lip caught between his teeth, and I catch myself studying the tiny scar that crosses both lips and down to the underside of his chin. Can’t even blame that one on hockey. That one’s courtesy of yours truly.
Focus¸ Oakley Kate.
Suddenly, my mom’s line of questioning earlier about children makes perfect sense. It’s more proof she’s trying to push us together again.
“Look, Kates,” he starts, but I hold a hand up.
“Just…trying to find words. Give me a sec.” I’m impulsive, especially when it comes to voicing my thoughts. I tend to spew sentences without a filter. Silas knows that better than anyone, but right now, the last thing I want to do is hurt either of us.
