“You must really miss it,” his mother adds as she sets the bowl of salad down.
Now I have to laugh. “You know, a few people in Lake Spark have been trying to convince Nash here to become coach at Lake Spark Academy.”
Everyone chuckles at that thought, except his mom who is grinning ear to ear. “That would be wonderful. You would be here permanently. Could really help with Bo.”
Nash’s laugh dies down. “Nah, I’ll be sticking around anyway for Summer and Bo.”
His innocent sentence is the match to the powder keg. I feel it in my bones because Gail and Walter give one another a look, clear as day that they’ve been discussing my current living situation.
Walter sets his napkin down with the air now needing a chisel to free us from this ice. “It’s time for honesty.”
My fear has become a reality, and I close my eyes shut tight before opening them with a tear in the corner of my eyes. Even Nash squeezing my hand under the table has no effect on my feeling of falling off a cliff, wondering if the parachute might work.
“You two are together, aren’t you? Not just for Bo, either.” His father’s serious look confirms what should have been obvious from moment one. Gail and Walter already knew this scenario was coming.
“Yes,” Nash doesn’t hesitate.
Immediately, I attempt to defuse their thought. “I-i-it’s not what you…” I stagger.
“Think.” His father finishes my sentence.
“We happened, and I’m staying in Lake Spark.” Nash is firm and far too calm for me.
Walter abruptly stands, his chair screeching, and he towers over the table as he points his finger between Nash and me. “This is completely disrespectful. I’m disappointed in both of you. Not even time to mourn and already you’re both sharing a bed.”
“Walter! That’s enough.” Gail grabs his arm.
“What the fuck did you think would happen when Zac set me up on this request?” Nash now joins everyone in this little face-off that makes me feel like a horrible person.
“I’m not trying to disrespect a memory, I promise.” Mymurmur to myself isn’t so quiet, as everyone whips their gaze to me.
The air thickening graces us with only a moment of quiet. “Don’t put this on her. Put it on me.”
“Oh, I will, Nash. You’re acting selfish, reckless, and most of all, basically erasing your brother.” Walter is livid.
“Stop it,” his mother implores. “Maybe this is a good thing. He’s Bo’s uncle, and I would much rather Nash step in than perhaps some other guy with no family connection. Nash won’t take Bo away from us.”
My rage has been unlocked, too. Standing up, my hands are clenched into fists. “I would never take him away from you. Bo’s your grandson. And I’m here, you don’t need to talk about me. Nor do I need someone to sweep in and help me.”
“No. You just needed someone to warm your bed.” His father’s menacing tone causes my jaw to drop.
Gail gasps, and Nash slams his hands onto the table. “Fuck that. You know that’s not true.”
“We’re all grieving. Maybe this is their way, Walter,” Gail attempts to justify, and now it becomes clear. She wants this. Everything to stay in the family, as if it’s a path of honor. In some twisted tradition, she believes Nash should be the one in my life.
Walter shakes his arm away from Gail. “Are you blind, Gail? Nash has probably been waiting, and he didn’t waste any time.”
“It was Zac’s request!” Gail responds.
“Because Summer causes our sons to think irrationally, always has.”
Nash snickers, not impressed with his dad’s choice of words. “You’re fucking out of line.”
“You watch that tone, young man,” he snipes.
“Really? Because basically calling your son’s widow and the mother of your grandson a Jezebel is keeping it respectful?” He’s flippant.
I’ve had enough, and my arms come out as though I need to be a referee. “Stop it! If you want me to feel guilty then congratulations, you have.” My tears spill down my cheek, and I turn to unbuckle Bo from the seat as he fusses.
