I took a regretful step forward. “Brinley.”
She held out a hand, squeezing her eyes closed tight for a beat, her voice ragged as she whispered, “I’m fine. I’m fine. Just let me take him.”
I slumped back, nerves marching across my flesh as I watched Brinley finish filling the bottle, twist on the cap, then swept Kai from his feet.
That little boy who drove a stake through the middle of me tucked to her chest.
She was nearly frantic as she peppered tiny kisses all over his head.
“MyBwinwey?”
She choked. “Yeah, baby. Your Brinley and my Kai.”
Agony.
Maybe before this very second, I didn’t really know what that meant.
She turned and started across the floor with him.
Trying to subdue it.
To contain it.
A quiet storm that swelled and whirled as she approached. A slow, babbling rain that still created a flashflood.
She had her hand on the back of his head as she passed, and she sent me this somber, understanding smile.
Like she got it.
No anger or blame, just the devastating acceptance that this was our lot.
I felt like I couldn’t breathe.
Is this what getting your heart broken felt like?
I had to force myself to remain rooted to the spot as I listened to her carrying Kai to my grandmother then my sister in the living room. Each of them kissed him and wished him goodnight.
His little squeals were subdued by his sleepiness, and when Elena offered to tuck him into bed, Brinley whispered, “No, I’d like to do it, if that’s okay?”
“Of course.” Meems’s voice was a low rumble as she flicked off the television. “I’m heading up to bed, too.”
“Same,” Elena said.
Meems and Elena headed upstairs.
Brinley was a few steps behind them.
My breaths jutted as the muted thud of her bare feet began to echo through the air as she ascended the stairs.
Retreating.
Dimming.
It wouldn’t be long before they faded into nothing.
Every piece of me recoiled, ripping and tearing at my consciousness as the faint thuds of them moving around upstairs filtered down to touch my ears.
Or maybe it was just her fingers sinking directly into my soul.
