Tucker folds himself onto the floor, tugging me down with him. He leans into me, one little hand clutching mine, his face somber. Even he knows how rare it is for Eli to talk about Lara.
“When I lost her…” Eli sits forward, picking at the seam of his jeans. “It was really hard for me, Bud. I had a rough couple of years.”
“Because you missed her?”
“Yeah.” Eli sighs.
“I’m sorry you’re sad, Dad.”
“Thanks, Buddy. It’s not your fault. I am so happy to be your dad.”
“I know.” Tucker reaches out to pat Eli’s hand. “I’m still sorry you’re sad.”
I squeeze Tucker’s hand, giving Eli what I hope is an encouraging look.
“The reason I was scared—the reason I made Sibyl cry—is because I realized that I love her.”
Tucker’s jaw hits the ground, his eyes bounce between us.
“I got scared that I would lose her, too. Scared I might make your mom sad, if I love someone new.”
“Sibyl’s not new.” Tucker’s head cocks to the side, contemplating.
“No, she’s not. But the way I feel for her is new.”
“You love her?”
“I do.” Eli peers over Tucker’s head, green eyes piercing into mine.
“Sibby, do you love my dad?”
“I do.” I glance at Tucker.
A wide, toothy grin spreads across his face, then worry clouds his little eyes as his hand pulls from mine. “Will my mom be sad if I love you, Sibyl?”
“No,” Eli and I whisper at the same time.
“I don’t want to make her sad. You said she’s always with us.” Tucker’s baby blues turn to Eli.
“She is. She watches over you, and she just wants you to be happy, Tucker. She’d never be sad if you loved Sibyl. She loved Sibyl too, in her own way.”
Tears fill my eyes at the memories of all of us together. Lara fit right in. From the moment we met her, we all loved her. Every single one of us. I’d come to terms with my unrequited crush years before she came around. I was happy for them—happy that Eli had found someone so perfect for him.
I glance at him. There’s a soft smile on his face. One big hand comes up to wipe the tears off my cheeks.
“So we can all love Sibby?” Tucker asks, voice hopeful.
“We can, and we do. Don’t we, Bud?”
“Yeah, but I love her more. She was my girl first.”
A laugh bursts from Eli, light and sweet. The kind of laugh he used to give so freely. It wraps around me like a warm summer day.
“Maybe she can be both of ours.” Eli ruffles Tucker’s hair before his hand reaches for mine.
“Sibyl, do you wanna be our girl?” Tucker’s sweet face turns toward me.
“If you’ll have me.” I grin.
