Well, there it was.I was no psychologist, but the onlyreason those two didn’t go off the rails was because Darius kept them on track.
Then he went off the rails and they found them, probably tolead by example, remind their bud who he really was, show the way or be in theposition to look out for him as best they could.
Those three had been inseparable, and I should have knownthey’d find a way to continue to be, even if life took them in very differentdirections.
“So Lee and Indy never got together,” I said, feeling sadabout this, for Indy, and for Lee.
They were always so into each other, I figured he was justwaiting for her to grow up.
I guessed I figured wrong.
“Nope, but she isn’t taken, so there’s still hope.”
I wasn’t so sure.I was running low on hope these days.
I dropped Toni at her place, and the minute I pulled intothe parking spot in front of her apartment, Tony opened the door and leanedagainst the jamb.
Damn, hewasfine.
“Can’t deny,” I remarked, gaze aimed at her man, “somethinggood came out of going to that bar.”
“No, can’t deny it,” Toni replied.Then her voice gotsofter, sweeter.“Just saying, he’s got friends, and they’re good dudes.”
I looked to her and gave her a smile I didn’t really feeleven though I felt the words I said, “I’ve got a friend too, and she’s the bestdudette ever.”
She pulled a face.“Oh my God, do notevercall mea dudette again.”
The smile I had then, I felt.
Toni was awesome at taking your back and guarding yourheart, but she wasn’t really good with talking about feelings.
“Go to your guy,” I urged.“Next time Mom and Dad take Liamfor the night, we’ll do something fun.”
“Promises, promises,” she muttered as she exited the car.
I waited until she got to Tony, but I didn’t watch him greetmy friend.
I remembered love in first bloom like it was yesterday.
And I missed it.
Instead, I drove to an empty home (and incidentally, Eddiehadn’t yet peeled off, which told me exactly what Darius had ordered him to do,and that was make sure Toni and I got home okay), wishing I hadn’t caved whenMom begged me to let Liam spend the night.
She and Dad doted on my kid.
Though I knew she had an ulterior motive, thinking I wasyoung, I needed to go out and be young with a girlfriend and forget I had ahuge responsibility at home that limited my ability to go out and be young.
The thing was, I doted on my kid too, and I wouldn’t mindheading out to see a concert or movie once in a while, but I loved spendingtime with my son.Even when I was saving him from electrocuting himself.
I parked at my apartment complex, grabbed my purse, got out,secured the car, then let myself into my apartment, glancing back before Iclosed the door and seeing Eddie finally driving away.
As usual, I flipped the light on in the entryway, and againsqueaked when I saw the man standing in my living room.
I put one hand on my heart, walked into the room and threwmy bag on the couch.
Only then did I order, “Stop breaking in.”
“You haven’t moved,” he stated bizarrely.
