He won’t even look at me. He’s here—but not really. My heart in my throat, I step back, giving him some space.
“You seemdifferent,” I say, my voice low, threading through the quiet between us.
His eyes pinch shut, as though it physically pains him to hear that. “I was careless this weekend. With you…withus. I wasn’t being responsible.”
The words hit like a punch. My chest burns.
“Let me get this straight. Paislee gets sick and suddenly what we have is irresponsible? How does that even work?” I keep my voice low, careful not to wake her. But damn, it’s hard when all I want to do is yell.
He shakes his head, clearly not filtering anything I’m saying. “If I wasn’t so focused on you, I would’ve known something was wrong.”
“Brad, you cannot be serious. That’s not how these things work.”
“That’s exactly how these things work. You don’t give your all, people get hurt.”
My brows knit. “Are we even talking about Paislee anymore? Because it sure as hell doesn't sound like it.”
Heburies his head in his hands. “You don’t understand.”
“I don’t?” My voice cracks.
“Of course not. You’re just a child, you haveno idea,” he bites.
I freeze. The words split me open.
You’re just a child, Noah.
That’s how he sees me. Maybe that’s how he’llalwayssee me.
He opens his mouth to say something but before any words slip out, the door bursts open.
“Brad,” Mom gasps, rushing to throw her arms around him.
To my surprise, he hops out of his seat and throws his arms around her waist.
“I was so scared,” he shudders, tears coming all over again.
“I know, I know, baby.” She soothes him while my stomach turns. “The doctors told me everything. Our little girl is going to be alright.” Her fingers bury in his hair.
I watch the display of affection a little longer than I probably should. Seeing them so wrapped up in each other…overtheirbaby…really puts everything in perspective for me.
I’m on the outside of their little bubble.
As long as Brad’s her fiancé, and Paislee’s dad…there’s no room for me.
Just an immature nuisance that doesn’t know anything.
“I’m gonna…” I start. I watch them not even take me in as they make their way over to Paislee. Veronica kissing and crying over her little girl. “I’m gonna go,” I mumble to myself more than anything.
I drop the truck keys on the empty chair and I walk out of the room, leaving them to be together.
36
Brad
I spit up into the toilet and flush down my mess.
“Holy shit,again?You must’ve caught a bug or something.” Veronica shakes her head, putting in some little gold earrings as she leans against the bathroom door trim.
