I can’t help but laugh. “So how was your extended vacation?”
“Just peachy. You should have seen the cabana boys.”
“Seriously though,” I ask, once our laughter dies down, “how are you doing?”
Lane sobers, turning to look out the window. “Some days are better than others. Dr. Krazinski has really been helping. I don’t feel the need to run out and find a quick score. If this was like my previous stays, I’d be nose-deep in some blow by now. The fact that I’m not gives me hope. Thank you for picking me up, by the way. I don’t want to use, but I’m also not sure that I’m strong enough to walk past the dealer that likes to hang out down the street from the center without giving in.” His head is hanging down by the time he finishes speaking.
“Hey.” I say, waiting for him to make eye contact before I continue. “Nobody here expects you to be magically all better. We aren’t here to judge. This shit is hard, and trying is half thebattle. We want to be there for you on your good and bad days. That’s what family is for.”
Lane looks around the car, hesitancy and hope clear to see in his eyes.
“Why don’t I introduce you? You’ve already met Teddy, here.” I say, holding up our joined hands. “The goddess beside you is Maxine, but we call her Max. She’s a bitch, but she’s sworn to be on her best behavior.”
The predatory smile Max gives Lane does absolutely nothing to support my statement.
“Hello, handsome,” Max says as she holds out her hand. Lane hesitates but eventually takes it.
“Hi—” Lane squeaks, clears his throat, and tries again. “Hey, um, nice to meet you.” The way his voice deepens has me rolling my eyes.
“No! Nope. Uh-uh. No way,” I say, pointing at Max. “You two are not allowed to fuck! I forbid it. I literally just made my first new friend in years, and you can’t have him.” The smirk she shoots my way lets me know I’ve already lost.Did I mention she’s a bitch? Well, she is, and also a slut. No shame. Just facts. She is the biggest, sluttiest bitch ever, and if I didn’t love her so much, I’m pretty sure I’d hate her.I feel movement along my arm, causing me to look over at Teddy. He’s shaking with silent laughter. “Et tu Brute? You’re supposed to be on my side,” I pout.
“LB, you know I’m always on your side, but you have to admit this is a little funny.”
“I’ll admit no such thing.” I fold my arms across my chest and sink into my seat.
Max leans forward, putting her face right next to mine. “Don’t worry, Coopy-boo, you know you’ll always be my favorite.”Damn right, I will.“I just want to welcome Laney hereto the family…properly.” She licks the side of my face, ducking out of my reach before I can retaliate.
“You. Are. Disgusting,” I say as I wipe my face.
“You love me.”
I grumble in response, refusing to admit she’s right. Max and Lane continue talking in the back seat, and I leave them to it because I know when I’m fighting a losing battle. I don’t realize I’ve let go of Teddy’s hand until he places it on my knee and squeezes. Those butterflies in my stomach jump right back into action.
Cooper
Sitting in Mom’s living room as the night winds down, I’m struck by how light my soul feels. It takes me a minute to name the emotion.Happiness. It’s been a long time since I could say I was truly happy, but here, surrounded by the people I love the most, that’s exactly what I am.
Lane and Max have been bickering all evening, which seems to be some weird-ass mating ritual for them.Gross.Mom is puffed up with so much pride at her full house and even fuller guests that I almost want to call her the Pillsbury Doughmom. And Teddy… Teddy has been perfect as usual. His steady calm grounds me every time my anxiety tries to tell me this is all too good to last.
My ruminating is interrupted when Mom stands. “Who wants dessert?”
My head turns in her direction so fast I practically snap my neck. I always want dessert, and she knows this. “What’s on the menu tonight?” I ask, already halfway to the kitchen. Shemust have hidden whatever it is, because otherwise I would have scoped it out minutes after we arrived.
“Cooper Gray Sorenson. We have guests. You will be on your best behavior and allow them to go first, or there will be no dessert for you.” She pulls an honest-to-god old-school cake tin off of a shelf, and I pout, leaning back against Teddy as he comes up behind me.
“Oh, c’mon, Mom. Now you’re just being mean. You know cake is my favorite.” I start bouncing on my toes when the smell of vanilla and buttercream hits my nose.
“Be that as it may, tonight is not about you. Tonight, we are celebrating Lane.”
“M—me?” Lane stutters, backing up a step when we all turn to look at him. “Why would you want to celebrate me?”
“Because, sweetie, rehab is not an easy thing to go through, but you did it. You’re here with us, fightin’ the demons I know good and well are nippin’ at your heels right now, instead of running back to the easy release button. My boys don’t know this, but I have been where you are right now. I know just how strong a hold addiction can have on you. But I’m here to tell you that you can win. Some days it’ll be easy. Other days, you’ll be fightin’ tooth and nail. We’ll be here for you, no matter what kind of day you’re havin’, if you let us. There’s nothin’ wrong with needin’ people, son. You just gotta let us in. Now, who wants cake?”
Mom always did know how to read a room. Lane looks close to tears, and his body language is screaming “fight or flight.” Not wanting to push him too far, Mom managed to take the focus off of him without being obvious about her diversion. A large part of me wants to talk to Mom about this side of her Teddy and I never knew about. Another part of me wants to wrap Lane up in a hug and never let him go, but I know neither of us would be particularly okay with that right now. So instead, I approach thecounter and reach for the cake tin. Mom swats my hands with the spatula she’s holding, causing me to yelp. The room bursts into laughter, and I, once again, find myself pouting.
Everett
LB looks so adorable with his bottom lip stuck out like that, and I get the urge to pull him into my arms and nip at it. Thankfully, Mom chooses that moment to hand everyone a slice of cake, distracting me from my inappropriate thoughts and the confusion they stir up. The conversation is much quieter now as everyone focuses on their plate. I only make it about halfway through my own slice, when LB’s fork begins invading. I turn, planning to playfully scold him, but his pleading eyes and innocent face win the battle before it even begins. I slide my plate over to him, chuckling at the way he inhales the remaining half like a starving man.
