Grandma spots me, changes direction, and heads straight for the truck.
I groan, and Dad looks up and chuckles.
“You’re in trouble now, son.”
Grandma reaches us and plants her hands on her hips. “Axle Trust.”
I immediately know I’m losing this battle.
“Morning, Grandma,” I say as I walk over and kiss her cheek.
Her eyes narrow. “You coming to supper tonight?”
I sigh as I wipe my hands on my jeans. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
Her expression hardens. “Nonsense.”
“Grandma—”
“You and Jovie haven’t shown up in two weeks.”
The reason for our absence is obvious, but Grandma doesn’t care.
“The summer’s halfway gone already,” she says. “Before we know it, it’ll be over. You need to soak up as much family time as you can while everyone’s together.”
I look past her.
Grandpa stands quietly by the porch steps. Uncle Albert gives me a small nod, and Momma slowly makes her way over to us.
“I’m making cornmeal-fried trout,” Grandma adds. “Fresh out of the river. Albert and Earl caught a mess of them yesterday.”
Damn. My favorite.
She knows exactly what she’s doing.
“That’s low.” I shake my head as she grins. “I’m not coming without Jovie.” The words come out before I can stop them.
Grandma blinks. Then looks offended. “Well, of course Jovie is welcome.”
My chest loosens slightly, but my eyes drift to Momma.
The person whose opinion matters most to me right now. We haven’t really talked, not since everything blew up and Cabe and the whole world found out about us. Not since half of this family got caught in the middle of our mess.
My gut twists with guilt.
Momma’s eyes fill with tears, causing my stomach to twist as she walks slowly across the yard toward me.
I stand frozen beside the truck.
When she reaches me, she raises both hands and cups my cheeks like I’m still a little ten-year-old boy, even though I’m the one looking down at her now.
“Axle.” Her voice breaks.
I swallow hard. “Momma …”
“I love Cabe.”
I nod. “I know.”
