The hard-won optimist in me wanted to argue that there was far more to life than simply living—for us and for him, but any response I may have made was cut off by Pete leaping out of an open window somewhere above me and landing like a cat at my feet. In his hand he clutched his phone, which, like mine, had been in and out of service all week. “Joe called. Danni’s inlabor.”
“What? But she’s not due for amonth?”
“Three weeks, actually, but shit happens. Are you sure you don’t want to go to that show? ’Cause if you don’t, we need to haul ass back toChicago.”
The implications of what he was saying hit home. “I don’t give a fuck about the show, but it’ll take days to drive back. We’ll never get thereintime.”
“Fly,” Jed said. “I know a chick that works for Delta. She can probably get you on the nextflight.”
“What about the van?” I glanced at Pete as Isaidit.
He shrugged. “Fuckthevan.”
Fuck the van.I blinked, and my clunky brain finally clicked into action. Danni, the sister who had become my best friend in the world, needed us home, and nothing elsemattered.
We dashed around the lake to the cabin and threw our stuff into bags while Jed took my credit card and found a flight that left us enough time to get to the airport and clear security. Adrenaline kept me going until Jed went out to check the tires on his aging truck, and then it hit me—we were leaving, and despite a primal need to get home to our family, I wasn’t ready. Because even with the bleak philosophy Jed had apparently woken up with, he and Max had added an extra layer to the bubble that often cocooned Pete and me. In just a few short days, they’d reminded us how to live and love rather than exist beneath the weight of the grief and heartache that had touched us all, and I’d never forget the time we’d spentwiththem.
Max put his arms around me and held me for a long time. His embrace was warm and familial and was so like the mama-bear hugs Maggie used to dole out that I felt like crying. I was eager to get home, but thiswashard.
He pulled back, his smile a ray of sunshine under the cloudy sky. “Maybe I can convince Jed that he should drive your van home for you, eh? I could come along fortheride.”
“That would be awesome. We have plenty of room for you, especially if we fix up Glenn’sapartment.”
“Perhaps I can help with that. I owe Pete some manuallabor.”
“You don’t owe me shit.” Pete clapped Max on the back on his way to toss our bags in the truck. “Come and stay with us anytime,brother.”
Brother. It was the term of endearment Pete usually reserved for Joe, but it felt right for Max. He’d been so warm and welcoming, so kind and free with his affection. If I could spend the rest of my life being a little more Max than myself, I’d be abetterman.
Jed drove us to the airport. He and Pete said their goodbyes, and Jed pushed a slip of paper into Pete’s hand. Pete glanced at me and smiled, and I saw the hope in his eyes. It made my chest warm, but first, I had to say goodbye to Jedmyself.
I didn’twantto.
But Ihadto.
Pete pushed through the airport’s revolving door as Jed hugged me and messed up my hair. “It was good to see you, Ash. Thanks for the company. It meant a lot to us thatyoucame.”
“Thank you for having us. I’m so glad you and Max have eachother.”
“Me too. He’s the only smileIneed.”
Were Pete and I as content? Two years ago, I’d havesaidyes.
A week ago, I’d havesaidno.
Butnow?
Yeah. His smile made my fucking day, and that was enough, like it had always been,really.
Jed stepped away. I reached out instinctively to stop him but caught myself. There was so much left to say, but we’d run out of time. Home was calling my name, and it was timetogo.
I left Jed by his truck and drifted into the airport. Pete was waiting by a coffee stand and greeted me with open arms. “Youokay?”
“Yeah, just feel a bit blah,yaknow?”
He rubbed my back. “If I was a jealous guy, I’d think you were a little bit in lovewithJed.”
“Wouldyou?”
