If I knew my presence wasn’t upsetting her, I’d make her mad at me on purpose just to hear her voice. More so to experience her fire.
She did it. She grew up to be a powerhouse and achievedher dreams. She has a successful career, and people who love her. I couldn’t be prouder.
I only wish there was a small corner for me. Not that I deserve it.
I hear an engine slowing before I see the vehicle, and I watch it closely as it pulls into her driveway. My shoulders ease when I see who it is.
Thea and Jesse get out of their car and exchange a quick word with one another before they split. He goes to the backseat to get the baby, and she walks over to my SUV.
“Hi.” She waves because she probably can’t see through my window tint. I lower my window, and she smiles warmly, but hesitantly. “We’re here for dinner. Jesse can keep an eye on her for a while if you want a break,” she offers. “Liv said you’ve been here late every night.”
Ah, so she has noticed.
“I don’t mind. I don’t have anywhere else to be.” That’s not true. I have a shit ton of responsibilities I’m slacking on at the sanctuary.
“You should come in and eat with us.”
“She wouldn’t want that.” I smile stiffly at her, and she tilts her head, observing me thoughtfully.
“Come inside, please. I’d like to get to know you better.”
“Why?”
“Because she means a lot to you, and that matters to me.” She turns away from me, joining her husband and baby on the porch where they’re waiting, and that’s when I see Liv watching from the doorway.
I don’t follow. I don’t know that I should. Not until they disappear inside and Liv gives me a subtle nod.
She doesn’t wait to see if I take the bait, but of course, I takeit because I’ll take any inch she gives me.
I walk into a house of radiant joy. Jesse and Kate are rolling around on the floor. Thea starts collecting dishes as Liv prepares dinner. They’re dancing around each other in the kitchen, speaking to each other, and having two conversations at once.
It takes me thirty seconds to figure out that they’re talking about a disaster meal from college and simultaneously whether or not they should call Natalie to ask her a question about what Liv is cooking right now.
“But if I put it back in the oven, it will get over-cooked.”
“If you don’t put cheese on it, then it defeats the whole purpose of the meal.” Thea crosses her arms like she means business. “Hayes,” she turns to me suddenly, expecting me to forge an opinion about the casserole dish Liv is holding.
“Cheese,” I say after glancing at the somewhat colorless chicken and rice. “If you put it under the broiler for a few minutes, it won’t ruin anything,” I add.
“Fine! You both better eat it, then,” she relents.
“Liv hates to cook,” Thea divulges. “She only offered because she’s afraid to leave her house after dark now to come to my house.”
“Hey!” Liv rebuts her friend’s honesty.
“You could have told me. I can take you to Thea’s anytime you want.”
“I wouldn’t ask you to do anymore than you already are, Hayes.”
More like she doesn’t want to ask me.
“I’m here to do whatever you need,” I promise.
“See, there you go.” Thea shrugs, and I realize this is one of those conversations they’ve already had that I’m only nowbecoming privy to.
“Just because you know he used to be my friend doesn’t mean you guys can gang up on me.” Liv narrows her eyes at her, the throat lunge comes next…
But Thea’s face beams, completely undeterred. “You’re only mad because it’s working and you hate to lose.”
