Ledger smirked. “Easy there. That’s hisvalued wicker basket,sunshine. He polishes it on Thursdays.”
“I donot?—”
“He does.” Ledger cut in. “Swears it holds weight better than a reusable bag. Says it’s ergonomic.”
“I think about it sometimes,” Auburn murmured. “What I should’ve said to Nova before she left... something better. Something that might’ve made her stay.”
I didn’t speak.
“And to Austin. Before rehab. Before he spiraled. I saw it coming—Iknew—but I didn’t say anything. I thought if I gave him space, he’d come to me when he was ready. But all I did was leave him alone in it.” Her voice cracked. “I was so young whenI had him. I didn’t know how to be a mom. I was still trying to figure out how to be a person. When Nova came around, with her mother’s sickness... God, she needed someone, and I didn’t show up for her either. Not the way I should’ve. I didn’t ask enough questions. And by the time I did, it was already too late.”
She finally looked up at me, her hand still resting on my basket like it was anchoring her, too.
“I live with those regrets every single day. I see you, Dirks. I see you holding it all in—doing what you think is right by staying quiet. I promise you... silence isn’t noble. It’slonely.”
I blinked, my throat tight, heart suddenly pounding against my ribs like it was trying to break free.
“I have so many‘I wish I could’ve’moments,” she whispered. “I don’t want you to have them either.” She looked me dead in the eye. “Call her.”
Something in me cracked. It wasn’t a loud or dramatic break, but rather a clean, quiet snap that echoed somewhere deep in my chest. She was right. I had spent so long trying to be respectful of Luna’s boundaries, but Auburn’s voice cut through all of that. Suddenly, my silence didn’t feel noble anymore.
It felt like a fucking mistake.
I whispered to them through the buzz and chaos of the farmers’ market. “She asked me not to contact her. After Jer went to shit, she said that without him... there wasn’tus.”
I shook my head, then reached out and grabbed Ledger’s shoulder—half for support, half to shake myself out of this conversation.
“No. This is ridiculous. She’s in a relationship. We all fucking know it, it’s plastered everywhere.”
“You’ve spent the last four damn yearsyearning,” Ledger said sharply. “Wallowing. Sad. Four goddamn years, man. That’s not some small stretch of time where I can say, ‘you’ll get over it.’ ” He stepped closer. “At least talk to her. Let her know it’s yourlast season. Give her that. If nothing comes of it, fine, but at least you’ll know youtried.”
I shook my head. I appreciated both of them. Iwantedthem to be right.
“Thank you. I can’t.” My laugh was hollow. I turned to Ledger. “I have to respect her. That’s the one thing I still have. I haveenoughrespect.”
He didn’t argue.
“I mean, hell, maybe I’ll go to that party this weekend.” I threw it out like a joke, but even I didn’t believe it.
Ledger gave a sigh and nodded, but I knew my best friend. I knew he didn’t buy a word of it.
Auburn grabbed the stroller again, and we started walking toward the market’s exit.
“Did I ever tell you how weird it is that you show up hereeveryweekend?” Ledger asked. “Like, you know every vendor by name. You clock if they move a stall. You make us spend four hours here on Saturday mornings, like it’s our job.”
“Don’t be mean.” Auburn scolded him with a smile. “We love coming, Dirks.”
“No.Stassiloves coming with Dirks,” Ledger said, shooting me a look.
“Dear god,” I groaned. “Y’all are never letting me live that down, are you?”
They burst out laughing.
“Hell no,” Auburn said, beaming.
It had been one of those sex parties. My partner and I went into the same room as Stassi and Alex because she was curious. Before I left the room to give them space, Stassi watched as my partner went down on me. Ever since then, I've been saved in her phone as “Mr. Dingles.” A nickname for my dick that, unfortunately, hadwaytoo much staying power.
We rounded the path toward the coffee stand I always visited before leaving. The smell hit first, warm, rich, comforting. I was reaching for my wallet when Auburn slowed, her brows pinching as she looked down the tree-lined street.
