“That’s not fair! I was a victim in that situation too!”
“Yeah, and then you sent your own child away to be his next victim,” I bite out through gritted teeth. “You have noidea what Shane went through. You put him in Dad’s hands. You let it happen!”
“I didn’t know!”
“How could you not? He did it to you first!”
The next words out of her mouth come out broken. “Because I never thought he’d do that to his own kid.”
My chest heaves as I try to calm down. “And what about now? Why can’t you do the right thing for Shanenow?”
“I’m well aware of the mistakes I’ve made, but I don’t know what to do for him now!”
For the first time maybe in my life, my mother sounds human—broken. Like she regrets what’s happened too.
“You could at least try.”
She sniffles. “I have to go. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
And like that, her emotions are tucked back away out of sight. But now at least I know they’re there.
It only takes about a week for me to finish cleaning out the rest of the house. My ship feels like it’s sinking, and every day that passes I’m inching closer to drowning. It doesn’t feel right to sell the house without Shane, though. I want him to have a chance to say goodbye if he wants to.
Until then, I’m going home. I need a break, and Maggie needs her mom.
23
GABE
AUGUST PRESENT DAY
After work, I head to the clubhouse to meet Nik. I promised her I’d help set up for Shane’s coming home party tomorrow.
“Hey,” I greet her, strolling in, not looking up from my phone. When she doesn’t answer, I glance up and freeze.
Nik stands next to a fold-out table, grimacing as someone else fiddles with a floral centerpiece.
Shit. Ash is here.
Her hair’s tied up on top of her head, and she’s in an oversized band T-shirt with the shortest black skirt I’ve ever seen.
She offers an apologetic smile. “Hey, Gabe. I hope you don’t mind; I tagged along.”
Waving a hand, I say, “You’re good.”
Fuck me, I can’t stop staring at her mouth. She’s got that berry color on her lips, and it has me in a trance. I slowly pull my eyes from her and rub my palms down my jeans. “What do you need me to do?”
Nik says, “I have a few boxes out in my car. Can you grab them?”
I nod, heading toward the door. This is bad.
I grab the boxes from Nik’s car before heading back in.
“What did you bring?” I ask, walking in to see the two of them standing near the bar, shots in hand. “You realize it’s just dinner, right?”
“We’re starting with Tequila,” Nik announces, holding out a shot glass. “I need all the liquor I can get to make it through tonight. God, I don’t know why I’m so nervous. I keep thinking what if something happens and he doesn’t get to come home or what if he comes home tomorrow and goes right back to his old shit.”
“He’s coming home,” I say, placing a hand on her shoulder. “Don’t worry, he’s got this.”
