Page 248 of A Song for You

Grace and Hayden have become close friends recently, and he’s one of her newest matchmaking clients. “Ugh,” I groan. “I’m guessing he didn’t take it well.”

Carter chuckles. “Yeah, he’s losing his mind.”

“Maybe this will get him to talk to her. And then maybe he’ll stop being a gigantic ass.”

“I really am sorry, Cat. We’ve all been awful. It’s just—Pa had us all so certain that Jay betrayed you.”

I hold up my hand. “Jay isn’t blameless in all of this. I know that and he knows that. But he loves Chloe and me. Really loves us. And everything he’s done has been because of that.”

Leaving it at that, I look away from my brother. Right now, at least, he doesn’t need to know that the only reason Mia slept with him was to get information for Jay.

But even then, he was trying to save me.

“None of this is easy. But rather than holding a grudge over things that took place so long ago, I want to move on and enjoy life with the only person I’ve ever loved. One action doesn’t make a person. It’s how we act throughout our lives that matters. And for the most part, Jay is good.”

Carter squeezes my hand. “It’s going to take me a minute to get there. Forgiveness, that is. But if you can find out where my child is, that would be a great start.”

I nod. “On it.”

“Thanks.” Carter stands, but he doesn’t move for the door. “And maybe you could talk to Grace. Get her to tell Cash.”

I sigh, dropping my shoulders in exhaustion. “She wants nothing to do with me.”

“He deserves to know the truth, Cat.”

“Okay. I’ll try. Thanks for coming by.”

Carter strides to the door but turns back at the threshold. “Kit Cat?”

My heart warms at the term, and I smile. No one calls me that but Cash. And Cash doesn’t know it, but it’s the nickname my mother used for me. Carter remembers, though. And hearing it from his lips means more than he could ever know. “I know Cash has always been your guy, but I’m here if you need me. Always.”

I launch myself from my seat and rush into my brother’s arms. “She wouldn’t be disappointed in you, Carter,” I whisper, looping my arms around him. “She didn’t judge. She loved. Let’s do a better job of emulating that.”

To my surprise, my brother shakes in my arms, and when a sob rips from his chest, I cradle him tighter.

The truth is, we’re all just trying our best.

Sixty-Two

Jay

Us by James Bay

“Now just slip it under. Yeah, just like that. And twist⁠—”

“Oh, like this?” I ask.

“Yeah, that’s good. And then over⁠—”

“What in God’s name are the two of you doing?” Cat asks, appearing out of nowhere.

I drop the hair and meet Dexter’s eyes.

“We were just—” Dexter starts.

I smack him in the chest to shut him up. “You promised!”

With a hand to his chest, he barks out a laugh. “Chloe asked Jay to do her hair this morning. Now he’s freaking out because he only knows how to do a normal braid. I’m showing him a few new techniques.”