I use his handkerchief again to dab at the moisture gathering in my eyes.
“I just thought you felt obligated to take care of me.”
“Sweetie, taking care of you was my pleasure. When you rushed off weeks after graduating high school, I thought it was because you were uncomfortable with Owen and me.”
“No.” This time I take his hands. “It was never anything like that. I wanted you guys to have your freedom together. Maybe also …” I pause.
“Maybe what?”
I push out a heavy breath. “Being around you made me miss my parents and grandma even more. It hurt to be around you,” I confess.
Sighing, he wraps an arm around my shoulders. “I wish I had been better equipped to know how to care for you,” he tells me. “The one time I mentioned grief counseling, you insisted that you were fine.”
My stomach tightens.
“I remember that. Grant had just broken up with me because he said I was ‘too sad’ and I decided that I was going to act like everything was fine. Instead, I shut everyone out. I should’ve known better.”
“You were seventeen, still recovering physically and emotionally from major traumas,” he says.
After the accident, I spent months in rehab for my shoulder. Even after rehab I still had to go every few months to doctor’s visits for my injuries.
Uncle Theo squeezes me to him. “None of us knows everything. I’m closer to sixty than fifty and I’m still learning every day.”
He takes my chin in his hand.
“Are you sure you’re happy, now? You wouldn’t lie to make me feel better, would you? The house in Maryland is still yours if you want to move back.”
“You have tenants in the house,” I tell him.
“We can kick them out.”
I throw my arms around his shoulders. “Thank you, Uncle Theo.”
For the first time in a long time, I squeeze my uncle with all of the love and gratitude I’ve failed to show him over the years.
“My wound’s all cleaned and bandaged up,” Uncle Owen calls out from behind us.
“Good.” Uncle Theo stands to his feet, my hand in his as he helps me to stand. “Because my niece and her baby are hungry. It’s time for lunch.”
I watch and laugh as Uncle Theo teases Uncle Owen about being a baby over a little cut on his finger. Watching them bicker is hilarious.
“Did you have a good talk with your uncle?” Travis wraps an arm around my waist.
I lean into his body without hesitation. “The best.”
CHAPTER 28
Travis
“Are you sure you don’t need any help in here?” Alyssia’s Uncle Theo comes in to ask yet again.
I look over at him after I slide the chocolate chip skillet dessert onto the oven rack.
“The paella is simmering, dessert is in the oven, and I’m about to start chopping vegetables for the salad.”
“Looks like you’ve got it all handled,” he says, but instead of leaving he moves closer to the opposite end of the counter, folding his arms, studying me.
I’ve figured this was coming all day. He’s been giving me looks off and on throughout the day.
