“Ready.” Renée offers, closing her door behind her.
“That’s my cue,” Sariah says and walks past me, grazing a hand over my shoulder before plucking Wills from my arms. “We’ll be back.”
The door snicks closed as they leave.
“He’s on a schedule,” Cian says, looking to where his family just exited. “Which means we’re on a schedule.”
“Sounds like—” I stop and shake my head trying to clear the thought. I almost saidsounds like Lorien.
“What are you not saying?” Cian asks.
“Nothing.”
“Bullshit.” He takes the seat near me. “You’re rarely affected. You’re focused. You’re direct. You’re cunning. But you’re never taken aback, never on the back foot. And you, Liam, are….” He doesn’t finish the thought but continues with a new train. One I do not want to entertain. “You weren’t this wrapped up when Ayla fell.”
I growl and hold his gaze. “She didn’t fall and we both know it.” We just haven’t discussed it because I’ve been wrapped up in… my wife.
Lorien
“Oh my gosh, you look amazing. You’re glowing. That mountain air must really agree with you.” My mom holds me at arm’s length, studying me.
“That’s the humidity,” I say back.
“Oh, pish posh. Come on, Dad’s waiting.”
She met me at the terminal becauseshe just couldn’t wait a moment longerand hugged me on repeat until someone nearly knocked us over trying to get to the exit.
“It’s so nice to have you home. We keep saying we’re going to come your way and see your new place. I can’t believe you’ve been in it two months already, and all we’ve seen are pictures and video call backgrounds. The summer seems to have flown by. Fall will be here before you know it. Oh, and don’t say I told you, but your sister brought someone home. He’s… peculiar. This weekend of all weekends. That’s so Sam. Always making it about… Oh, there’s Dad.”
I don’t get a word in edgewise, but that’s okay. I feel relieved that Liam didn’t come with me. Thankful that Sam took the heat off. But guilty. Guilty that the man, who would buy a ticket just because he needed to apologize, was left on the Front Range because I didn’t want complicated, when he folded me into his family so easily. Well, except for his mom, and Ayla’s husband. I wonder what his deal is.
“Oh, Lo, my love.” My dad pops out of the car and rounds the truck to give me a quick, tight hug. “Now, Diane, you know better.” He swats her hands away as he lifts my carry-on into the trunk. “Climb in, the both of you.”
“You take the front.” Mom grabs the back door handle. “But speak up, I want to hear everything.”
38
hairy bison balls
Lorien
Everything is short, because what is there to say?
I don’t mention the movers or their subsequent lawsuit. I won’t mention the moving company owner targeting me or vandalizing my home. I can’t mention that I have data proving we have a cure, but profits trumped everything so research that would save people was shelved.
And I definitely refuse to say I married the man next door, and I can still feel him between my legs.
“It’s been a whirlwind. I got rear-ended earlier this week and my Accord is totaled.”
“Are you okay?” Mom reaches for me, just as Dad says, “That was a good car. They don’t make them that way anymore. What a shame.”
That’s the most innocuous thing I have to offer them, and Mom’s already worried and Dad’s disgruntled. Not with me. Never with me, but he’s pragmatic to a fault.
“I’m fine. I was sore for a few days, but I’m okay. I’m not looking forward to car shopping, though.”
“How are you getting to work?” Mom asks.
“Rideshare.” That’s not a lie, exactly. I am sharing a ride.
