Liam’s sigh was pure frustration, but he knew not to push any further. “Did you see the pictures Mom sent of her and Dad roller blading?”
We both burst out laughing and the remainder of our time was spent discussing our crazy parents and their life in Florida.
Once we’d ended the call I walked to the back porch and sat and watched the rain. Listened to the wind and searched the darkening skies for some answers. By the time it became the sapphire ocean I loved, I’d made at least one decision. It was time to move on. Not from the ranch, but from Wilder. It was clear we were done. I’d never asked him to stay, I probably should have done, but it was too late now, and it was something I’d have to live with. Even if it meant living with a Wilder shaped hole in my heart.
Chapter 26
Brave – Sara Bareilles
Wilder
My fingers flexed in time with the thud of my heart, in time with the long strides I was pacing up and down the den while Seven Brides for Seven Brothers played on the huge screen in the background.
My temples were pulsing, too. I was just one great throbbing piece of anger not sure what to do with it.
The room reeked of fruit flavored candy and my fucking desperation to punch something.
“Uncle Wilder, you really need to stop pacing,” Bertie chirped up in a sigh, pausing the TV. “You’re distracting me from the film.”
I swung around to face her, the pain in my temples increasing with the movement. “Like it matters. You’ve seen it a million times already.”
The glare she gave me was reminiscent of Lily, yet it was impossible as they didn’t share even a fraction of DNA. Clearly the girl was a good student.
“You’re still annoying.” She gave a sharp blow of her cheeks causing her bangs to flutter in the breeze. “What’s got you so tense anyway?”
Settling back on the sectional, her arms crossed over her tiny chest, she was all sass and fire. Her deep pink cupid’s bow lips pursed in consternation as she stared up at me expectantly. When I took a beat she raised an eyebrow.
“I am not discussing it with a ten-year old.” The second eyebrow was raised, and she wiggled to get comfy, like she knew I’d give in eventually and spill my guts to someone who barely reached four feet tall and had only just stopped wearing light up sneakers. “The girl I like doesn’t like me the same way.”
“Tally ho.” The way she announced it so matter of fact winded me. Almost knocked me on my ass.
“What? How?”
“You look at her like daddy looks at Momma.”
I shook my head in time with my finger. “No. I am not doing this with you, Bertie. Where’s your dad, or Uncle Gunner?”
“Daddy is bathing Billy and Uncle Gunner is taking a nap with Aunt Cassidy.” She did little bunny ears around the word nap. Probably because whenever the couples in this damn house needed alone time they all said nap with quote fingers. Bertie had no idea what it meant but had started to use it, even when talking about her baby brother having one in the afternoon.
“And your mom?”
“Making dinner, please don’t interrupt her, I'm so hungry I could die.” She rolled her hand. “Carry on.”
“No.” Letting out a measured breath I took the remote from her and re-started the movie. “I’m going to find your dad.”
“Suit yourself.” Her voice was sing-song-y and quite obviously bored of being my confidante, for what use she was, i.e. none.
By the time I reached the stairs Nash was already on his way down, afreshly bathed Billy in his arms, smelling of powder, his dark curls stuck to his head and the two teeth he’d recently got sticking into his bottom lip as he grinned at me.
“Unca Wiwi.” Chubby little arms reached out for me, his hands tapping my cheeks as I drew closer.
“Hey, buddy. You smell nice.”
He chuckled, rubbing his cheek against Nash’s neck, all cute and shy.
“You got a minute?” I asked Nash, as he dropped a kiss to his son’s head.
“Sure, let me take him into Bertie. Meet you in the living room?”
