Page 22 of Pieces of You

Then I glanced out over the pool, happy to see the Littles in higher spirits. Lucas, Santiago, Ash, and KC had worked hard to help the brats compartmentalize—or whatever I should call it. In short, it was okay to live, it was okay to have fun, it was okay to take breaks. Not everything could revolve around the depressing news.

Corey was a little different. I was so glad to have him with me now; I needed his affection, his random musings, and his energy. With Shay missing, Corey lived by a schedule that benefited me too. He started his day right by my side. We checked the news and hunted for updates and articles. He didn’t speak much, so we relied on touch and staying close. Then he took a nap, still sticking by my side. After resting, he wanted to spend some time with his friends. He sat on the edge of the pool now, smiling carefully as the others tossed a ball to one another in the water. He was…more introspective, but he wasn’t entirely stuck on Shay, which was a good thing. Instead, my boy let his mind wander freely, and I never knew what he was gonna say.

I dug that. Because whatever he brought up eventually provided me with much-needed breaks too.

As if sensing I was looking at him, he met my gaze and waved.

I smiled.

He pulled his feet from the water, grabbed his towel, and scurried toward me.

Archie had been right from the start about me. Closing in on four years together, and it still took me by surprise sometimes to have a husband, a partner, who knew me better than I knew myself. But he’d called it from the very beginning—I wasn’t gonna be able to live without anyone in my family. Even though Archie and I were married, we didn’t think in terms of primaries and secondaries. We’d never really done that, even though we’d sort of had the idea initially that, to the public at least, it would be Archie and me, and then Sloan and Corey.

We were still careful around the kids, but that was about it.

“I’m just gonna grab the notebook, Sir,” Corey said, jogging past. He tossed the towel next to me. “I know what I’m gonna write to Shay now!” he hollered over his shoulder.

Ah. The infamous notebook. A great idea by Lane, but damn if it didn’t sting every time I saw it.

It had become a visual reminder of someone in our community being held against his will—and me doing fuck-all about it.

My loved ones were torn about my possibly going anywhere.

I wasn’t. I fucking hoped. Every goddamn day, I hoped Cullen would call me. Or Reese. Or one of the Quinns. Or whoever the fuck. Just give me the green light, and I’d be on the first flight out of here.

I shoveled more food into my mouth.

Corey soon returned with the notebook and a pen, and he sat down next to me. “Hello, party people.”

My mouth twitched.

Lucian furrowed his brow. “Yes, that’s me.”

Corey snickered and opened the notebook. “Maybe not you, Sir. I know you’d much rather spend a day on a Disney cruise than in a nightclub.”

I rumbled a laugh around a mouthful of food. I couldn’t think of anything worse for Lucian. Spend the day with screaming children or music so loud you practically vibrated.

It was something Lucas had even included in the notebook. He’d taken it upon himself to keep Shay updated on things happening around the house—lighthearted and funny things that would hopefully give Shay a laugh or two. For instance, Lucian the other day, when he made sure four fucking times that the resort KC was reserving for their vacation didn’t allow any children.

I side-eyed Corey as he started writing, and I caught the first line.

Hi, Shay. It’s me, Corey.

I didn’t know why those words kicked me in the gut, but they did.

Putting down my fork, I glanced at what more he was writing.

It goes without saying I’m worried sick about you, but I’ve made the decision that River and Reese are going to be successful. They will rescue you, and you will come home again. I am sure of it!

When you do, I will meet the new version of you for the first time. Because I understand your whole world has changed. You have changed. The Shay I hugged a couple of weeks ago is just a piece of the new you.

After reading our friends’ memories and anecdotes, it’s clear there are many pieces that make up who you are. But one trait runs through every piece.

You are a fighter. You are a Tenley. You’re Shay, for crying out loud!

I swallowed and dipped down and kissed the side of Corey’s head. “You’re sweet, you know that?”

He quirked a little grin and looked up at me briefly. “He’s going to make it.”