We finished by confirming our day and time for next week and signed off. Every time we did that, I always felt a little down. Like I’d lost a lifeline to one of the people who’d gotten me to where I was. Who dragged me up from my bottom.
But I reminded myself it was me here doing the work, and I was doing a damn good job.
“It’s fucking cold out here,”Ty said. “Getting across this drillfield is honestly something I’ve come to dread in the winter.”
We walked as fast as we could without breaking into a run. That kind of walk, with your face down, where you could easily ram into someone since you weren’t watching where you were going. The wind was whipping, and my beanie almost flew off my head. I’d left my gloves in my truck, so my hands were buried deep in my pockets.
“We’re almost there,” I told him.
The door to the Student Union was within sight. With it brought guaranteed heat, at least if we moved away from those ridiculous automatic sliding doors that were constantly opening. We barreled through them, continuing our stride to the middle of the open space. Becca and Lanie sat by a small group of upholstered chairs, and we went straight for them.
Ty scooped Becca into his arms, their reunion as if they hadn’t only seen each other a couple hours ago.
“They’re definitely back together, aren’t they?” Lanie said.
I laughed as I peeled off my hat and backpack, taking a seat next to her. “You could say that again,” I told her. “Where’s Xander?”
“He’s back at the apartment packing up. We’re heading to see his mom for the weekend.”
Nodding in approval, I was happy she had Xander and his family. Lanie’s parents no longer lived in the country. They got themselves, and Lanie, mixed up in some fucked-up shit involving her ex-boyfriend and his mafia-related family last year. Instead of sticking around to help her, they took off and left her on her own. They thought giving her some money would beenough to take care of things. Thankfully she found Xander, and his family has taken her in as if she was one of their own already.
“Good,” I said. Then I looked at the two who were embarrassingly crawling over each other in one chair. “I hate to bring him up, but any news on the Max front?”
She looked away, a far distant look taking over. I really hated even saying his name. The guy was a fucking bastard and would’ve killed her most likely if Xander hadn’t stepped in last year.
Part of why I had to be happy she had Xander.
He’d already laid down his life for her.
“Nothing lately. Still just that he’s out of jail and on house arrest.” Her voice was strong as she spoke about him. That was encouraging. “But with him, ya just never know.”
I reached over and gave her arm a squeeze. She nodded, and I knew she fully understood I’d always be there for her. Not just emotionally, but physically as well, if it ever came to it again with that guy.
“Wait, aren’t Ty and Becca going home this weekend also? To see Savannah?” I asked, putting it all together.
“Yeah, I think so. Unless their plans changed, I think they’re leaving soon.”
Becca was my buffer in the house with Ava. If things got bad, I could count on Becca putting Ava, or me, in our place to temper the moment. Even though things were going OK this week, Ava was a temperamental little thing and it was never a guarantee. I wasn’t looking forward to not having Becca around to help with that.
Or maybe there was more to why I didn’t want to be alone with her.
“What’s wrong?” Lanie studied me, forcing me to look away.
“Nothing, all good. Looks like I’ll have a weekend with Ava and Macie.”
Her smile confused me. I couldn’t tell what she was thinking about what I’d said, but she definitely had an opinion. Though I wasn’t sure I wanted to stick around to find out what it was.
“Gotta go,” I told her. “Have a good weekend, Lanie.”
Her smile widened as I got up to leave, which made me more self-conscious.
“Ty.” I cleared my throat to get his attention since he was still busy with Becca. They both looked my way. “Hey, guys, I’m heading out. Have a good weekend.”
Becca jumped from his lap and into me, wrapping her arms around me.
“You too, big guy.” She pulled away and looked up at me. “Enjoy the snow, there’s supposed to be some coming tonight. That’s why we’re heading out soon, to miss it.”
I’d been so busy with classes and that damn project I felt out of the loop. Not only was I unaware of the impending snow, but I hadn’t been to the gym in days. It felt good to be done with classes for the week, so I’d reward myself with a workout.
