“Bray seems to have a complicated relationship with…relationships.” Cornelia says the quiet part out loud.
Sighing, I say, “Yes. He does. I learned something about his past, about a childhood friend. I think he’s afraid to fall in love. I think he’s worried the person could disappear, and that scares him. I don’t know. I’m just trying to spend time with him right now. I know things will get crazier with school starting. It’s a lot.”
I feel like I’m blabbering on and not making sense because my head is all over the place. We’ve been in this cocoon for several weeks now, and I’m worried about where things will go. I think he wants to be with me and really try to make this work, but I also worry that he’ll get cold feet. I know all too well that it’s hard to overcome the demons of our past.
“What about you?” Roxy asks.
I pause at her question. “What do you mean?”
“You had a…tough relationship with your ex. Are you ready for something serious?” she asks.
I bite the inside of my cheek. It’s as if she read my mind.
“I wasn’t for a long time, but then, after we all talked a few weeks back, I did some reflecting. I really do want to try again. But it’s different with Bray. I…am not trying with him; it’s easy. He’s like…being home.” I try to put words to my thoughts.
Piper claps her hands. “You’re in love,” she says, and everyone nods in agreement.
I blush.
“Are you going to tell him?” Jocelyn asks.
“Don’t tell him yet,” Cam interjects.
Roxy rolls her eyes. “Tell him when you are ready to tell him.”
“For crying out loud, let the woman make her own decisions,” Jessa says, and we all stop and stare at her. Jessa is normally the most soft-spoken of our crew. So, when she talks, we listen.
She waves our looks away with a motion of her hand. “You ladies need to let her breathe. This is a huge step for our Carly. Let her do it when she’s ready. Whenever that is, it will be the perfect time,” she adds as she gives me a warm smile.
I mouth, “Thank you.” And she nods.
“Fine. But we want details when this finally happens,” Cam says.
I laugh. “You guys are too much.” I open my mouth to say something else, but then I see Mr. Pickles hanging from a rope outside the window.
“Uh,” I start, and everyone’s gazes follow mine.
“Is that Mr. Pickles?” Jocelyn asks.
“Yep,” I answer as I walk over to where she’s sitting and open the window. I lean out and look up to see my daughter hanging out of the window. “Ava,” I hiss.
“Hi, Mom,” she says.
“Ava Maxwell! Get back inside! How many times do I have to tell you not to hang out of the windows?” I yell.
She rolls her eyes at me, and I’m five seconds away from marching up there and scolding her.
“Sorry! That’s my bad. I had to pee,” Hutch says as he leans out next to her and then glares at Ava, who has the audacity to laugh. He grabs her, yanks Mr. Pickles back up, and tosses her over his giant shoulder, or at least I assume so because suddenly I only see her feet in midair. Then he leans back out and smiles.
“All good now. See you in an hour,” he yells as he slams the window closed.
I hear the shrieking laughter of my child, and I groan as I lean back in and close the window.
“Does anyone want a child?” I ask.
Roxy giggles. “Oh, come on, she’s not that bad.”
I roll my eyes at her. “She’s a pain in the ass when she wants to be.”
