I look back across the yard at my parents.
They’re still talking with Caison and Matty.
Mom laughs at something the baby did, reaching out to gently touch his little hand.
Dad glances around. Probably looking for me.
Maybe I should just tell him now.
Rip the Band-Aid off.
I look down at Harleigh again.
Fuck it.
Before I can overthink it, I grip her hand. “Come on.”
She looks up. “What?”
But I’m already leading her across the yard toward them.
Mom notices us first.
Her face lights up immediately.
“Well, there you two are,” she says warmly.
Then she yawns, quickly covering her mouth.
Dad chuckles.
“Ready to go, son?” he says, stretching his back slightly. “I think your mother wants to stop and check in on Josiah.”
I nod slowly. “Not quite.”
My fingers are still tangled with Harleigh’s, and I tighten them.
Dad’s eyes drop.
Right to our hands.
I reach into my pocket with the other hand and pull out my key fob. Without saying a word, I toss it to him.
He catches it.
“I’m gonna stay,” I tell him.
His forehead wrinkles, and for a second, he looks confused.
Then his gaze drops to our hands again. Then his eyes move slowly back up to my face as understanding dawns.
The silence stretches for a long moment.
Harleigh shifts closer. I can practically feel the anxiety rolling off of her.
Dad studies me carefully.
Then his mouth slowly curls.
