Still, tonight’s not the night to chase that thread. There’ll be time for that later.
My little sister’s laughing at her own jokes, my brother’s teasing me about finally growing up, and my mom can’t stop smiling every time she looks my way.
I’ve missed this. I didn’t realize how much until now. This table. These people. This feels like maybe I’m not the family screw-up anymore.
Right now, I’ve got a job to start.
A second chance to earn.
And maybe eventually, some truths to uncover.
Even the ones that might change everything.
Even the ones that might hurt.
Chapter Sixteen
PRESS PLAY ON PAUSE
KENNA-PRESENT
The day has felt impossibly long, weigheddown with thoughts I’ve been holding in. Every minute feels like an eternity, and all I can do is replay the same thing over and over in my mind. How much I just want to be with Cole tonight. It’s been far too long since we’ve spent time together simply for the sake of fun, without the heaviness of old conversations or the lingering shadow of everything that’s happened between us. I’ve missed this—missed him—even though it feels a little strange, like stepping back into something familiar but uncertain.
The clock ticks louder in the quiet house, and I find myself restless. Pacing between the kitchen and the living room. Cohen’s laughter from earlier still echoes softly in my ears. A reminder of everything I’m juggling. Motherhood, work, and now this fragile thread of hope with Cole. How did we get here after all these years? I’m thinking that maybe he’s thought about me the same way I thought about him throughout the past nine years.
Nine years.
Sometimes it feels like a blink, and other times it feels like a lifetime. Like we lived entire lives without each other, but some part of me never really moved on. Some part of me kept the light on.
I pull out my phone, hesitating for a moment before typing a quick text to him.
My fingers hover above the screen like it might catch fire if I hit send. My heart thuds louder than the tick of the clock behind me. What if this is too much? What if I’m reading too far into things again? Something about tonight feels different. Like the silence between us is finally giving way to something else. Something better.
Me
Hey, do you wanna come over and hang out tonight? I thought it could be fun to play some games or just do something simple.
I set the phone down on the coffee table, trying to keep my nerves in check. My mind races. What if he doesn’t want to? What if he’s busy? The uncertainty swirls like a storm in my stomach, but then, just as I’m starting to second-guess myself, my phone buzzes with his reply.
Cole
Yeah, I’d love to. I’ll be over in about 20.
A breath escapes my lungs in one sharp exhale, like I’d been holding it for days, not minutes.
For the first time today, the weight feels just a little lighter. It’s funny how the smallest things. A text, a promise of time spent together. It can shift your entire mood. I’m excited. More excited than I probably should be, but it’s Cole, and spending time with him always feels like a return to something simpler, something comfortable.
Something I didn’t think I’d ever get back.
But then a pang of guilt hits me. Cohen. I should check on him. I text my mom quickly.
Me
How’s my boy doing?
Mom
He’s doing great, but he misses you. He keeps asking when he can go home.
