Total pages in book: 144
Estimated words: 134830 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 674(@200wpm)___ 539(@250wpm)___ 449(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 134830 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 674(@200wpm)___ 539(@250wpm)___ 449(@300wpm)
“It wasn’t your responsibility. It still isn’t,” I tell her, sensing a kindred spirit. I think Kayla takes care of her family the same way I do mine, by taking it all onto her shoulders and into her heart. I frown, admitting, “I think I need to hear that too.”
“Kyle said you help your parents?” she asks, and I nod.
“My dad’s been sick for a while, so me and my brother do what we can.”
“I’m sure he appreciates it.” I scoff, and she laughs too. “They never do, do they?” I shake my head as we lock eyes, building a connection right here in this moment. More seriously, she says, “He’s better with you. Like he had to go through the ugly, and drag all of us with him, to get here, but we’re all better for it on the other side. I can see that he’s the best version of himself with you.”
I lick my lips. “Thank you. I think we gave each other a safe place to fall apart and heal some hurts we’d been Band-Aiding over for too long.”
“A safe place to fall apart,” she repeats wistfully. “That sounds amazing.” She smiles, but her eyes look tired, and I can only imagine what she must go through to keep five brothers in check. I’ve only got one, and he nearly runs me to exhaustion.
“Well, I’ve got Kyle so you can take him off your list,” I tell her warmly.
She pumps her fist, whispering, “Yes!” She meets my gaze, vowing, “I’m gonna hold you to that. Same as Luna, Samantha, and Janey. No take-backsies. Once you claim them, they’re yours.”
“Deal.”
We deliver the coffees to Mr. and Mrs. Harrington, who are grateful, and then pour cups for everyone else too.
“Thanks,” Kyle tells me when I hand him his black cup of steaming brew. “You and Kayla get me sorted out?” he asks, taking a careful sip.
“Something like that.”
I’m not surprised he noticed us talking. I could feel his eyes on me the whole time, like he was ready to step up if I needed him. But I think Kayla was right. His family is better now. I won’t take any credit for that. It’s all Kyle’s doing, his facing his childhood hurts and strained relationships and taking accountability to improve them as an adult. Along with his parents’ willingness to listen to Kyle and make sure he knows he was and is wanted and loved.
Even now, it’s different than it was at that fateful dinner. Kyle isn’t on the outside of the family. He’s right in the middle, included and involved with the conversation while we wait for news and talking about actual stuff, not only joking around and irritating them for attention.
Eventually, Cole comes out. He looks like he’s been through hell, but his smile says it was worth it. We all stand instantly, waiting to hear…
“He’s here. Emmett Nash Harrington. Seven pounds, fourteen ounces. Twenty-one inches long. He’s beautiful, so beautiful.” His eyes tear up, and he swipes at them. “He has red hair like his Momma.”
I barely know him and Janey, but the excitement and happiness is so palpable that I’m crying along with everyone else. Mrs. Harrington wraps Cole in a hug, and I hear her ask, “How’s Janey? Is she okay?”
Cole nods. “She’s good, Mom. She was so amazing. Look.”
He pulls his phone from his pocket and holds it up, showing us all a picture of Janey holding a teeny-tiny baby who’s wrapped up like a burrito and wearing a knitted hat. The baby’s eyes are closed and he’s red and puffy looking, but Janey’s smiling at him like he’s the most gorgeous thing she’s ever seen.
There’s a chorus of exclamations about how beautiful they both look and then Cole says he has to get back. “Give us a few minutes and then you can come see them, Mom. Okay?”
Mrs. Harrington nods, and as soon as Cole disappears around the corner, Mr. Harrington grabs her up in a tight embrace. He rubs her back, whispering, “She’s okay, honey. They’re all okay.”
She nods against his chest, and I feel Kyle wrap his arm around me. He brings his mouth beside my ear and whispers, “We’re never having kids. It’s too terrifying.”
I can’t help but laugh. “Then you’ll have to tell my mom that,” I whisper back.
“Shit,” he hisses. “Fine, we can have kids if you want, because the only thing scarier than you is your mom.”
I shake my head. Mama is not scary. Persistent, stubborn, strong-willed? Absolutely, just like her daughter. But scary? No, unless you piss her off.
“Tsk… She’d set you up on a blind date with some guy ready to pop out grandbabies on her timetable in a heartbeat.”
“She might do that,” I concede. But truthfully, she wouldn’t.
Mama likes Kyle, and while we were cleaning up after lunch, she told me that I seem really happy and that’s all she’s ever wanted for me. For her, happiness comes from Papa, Xavier, and me. We are the best parts of her life, and she has only ever wanted the best for me.