“Maybe one day,” she says a little breathlessly.
My forehead rests against hers. “Yeah… maybe.”
That tiny bit of hope is the only thing that keeps me from collapsing to my knees in front of her and begging for her to shatter the walls our strained friendship is holding in place.
There’s a razor-thin edge keeping the reason for all this front and center in my mind. It’s still there, but I don’t know how much longer I’ll be able to fight against the rightness I feel with the woman who I think could be my everything.
I think she could be everything to all of us.
Maybe even Oliver.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
Kane
“You ready?”I ask Oliver, sliding the last dirty plate from breakfast into the dishwasher. It’s Saturday, so we all made pancakes and scrambled eggs together.
Linc and Wyatt left for the grocery store about ten minutes ago because the things we scrounged together for breakfast were about all we had left in the house. That left Oliver and me to clean up the kitchen.
“Yeah,” he says, tossing the rag into the sink.
I could say something about draping it over the divider so it can dry—otherwise the kitchen’s going to smell like something died in it later tonight. I don’t, though, too elated by the sound of his voice.
Over the last month, he has spoken a few times here and there. It has never been more than a couple of words at a time, but you bet your ass I am savoring each crumb of his perfect voice those words provide.
In almost perfect sync that has us both smiling, we put on our shoes and coats. If there was any doubt he’s my son, this would have dispelled it.
There has never been any doubt there, though. He got some characteristics from Jess, like his hair, but he looks just like me at his age.
“Don’t forget your journal,” I tell him just before we step outside, and he grabs it from the small table by the door before jogging after me.
He has therapy this morning. It took a while for him to settle in with his new therapist after the move, but I feel like he’s finally hitting his groove with her.
That, combined with everything else the move brought on, is helping. There’s no doubt about it.
As I’m climbing in, my phone starts vibrating in my pocket. Abby’s name appears on the screen. I answer eagerly, bringing the phone to my ear.
“Hello.”
“Hey,” Abby says, sounding a little exasperated.
“Are you okay?”
She lets out a frustrated exhale with the faint traces of a growl. It would be kind of cute if I wasn’t worried about what has her so worked up.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” she grumbles. “My car just won’t start. I don’t know what the hell is going on. It was fine yesterday.”
“Do you need some help?”
“No… I mean, not with the car. I’ll figure that out later. I just need to get to work.”
“Do you need a ride?” I glance at my watch. We have enough time to get her to work and still make it to Oliver’s appointment on time.
His therapist is in the next town over, so we always give ourselves extra time to get there. The roads are clear today, so it shouldn’t be a problem.
“Leah’s car isn’t here, so I know she’s at work. My parents are with Mav getting donuts, and I don’t want to disturb them. Coleor Riley would come get me, but they live so far out of town.” She drags in a deep breath after rambling.
I jump in before she can continue. “Abby, I don’t mind.” I slide the key into the ignition, checking in the rearview mirror to make sure Oliver is buckled. “I’m already on my way.”
