Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 85399 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 427(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85399 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 427(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
Lauren grins.
“And Dad left. Someone called in from work, and he split. Now that I think about it, he must have given them the landline number for the Cupboard to reach him. Anyway, I’ll never forget the look on Mom’s face as he kissed her cheek and let the screen door slam behind him. She stood there for a long second and then turned to me and acted like nothing happened. But I knew.”
Lauren sets her cup on the end table and sits upright. Her eyes are wide, but she doesn’t say a word.
“And I know that I’ve done that to you,” I say slowly. I put a perfectly round patty on the plate and start on another one. “I don’t know how I got so fucked up, Lo. Yeah, I was justifying things by saying I was working—and that was true. But I don’t know how, or when, work took top priority.” I look up at her. “I’m sorry for that.”
She holds my gaze but doesn’t speak. Her pupils widen, and I can see my words filtering through her eyes.
“Wow, Jack,” she says, blowing out a breath. “I wasn’t expecting that.”
“I know. And I’m sorry you weren’t.” I frown. “So, the answer is no. I won’t be going to work tonight. Tommy can handle it, and if he can’t, then I’ll handle it when we get back to town.”
The smile that crosses her lips lights up a part of my soul that I’d forgotten was even there. I haven’t seen this look on her face in years. Her smile is directed at me for something I’ve done—some way I’ve made her happy.
My God, how I’ve missed it.
“Well, Jack,” she says before clearing her throat. “I appreciate that.”
“You’re welcome.”
“I think I should apologize to you too,” she says carefully.
I make the final patty and then throw the container away. Then I head to the sink to wash my hands again.
She exhales heavily. “Things became so about me.”
“Well, I’m glad one of us was looking out for you.”
The tension that’s always between us is there, but different. She’s not ready to storm out or shout at me, nor is she on the brink of hurling passive-aggressive insults my way. And for my part, I’m not waiting to dismiss what she says.
It’s a juxtaposition—a comfortable strain stretching between us.
It also might be progress, if we’re careful.
“I’m sorry I haven’t . . . tried more, I guess,” she says. “I’ve given up on us lately. There were reasons why; I remember the day I threw in the towel. But maybe if I hadn’t—”
“As long as you pick it back up, we’re going to be fine.”
She smiles sadly. “Jack, I want us to be fine. I really do. But even admitting that out loud scares the shit out of me, because what if we get home and it all goes right back to the way it was? Will I have to start this process all over again? I don’t know that I can do that.”
Her shoulders soften.
“I promise that you won’t have to do that,” I say softly. “We’ve both made mistakes—me many more than you—but we have another four, five decades to work on it. And I don’t want to go through those without you.”
The smile she gives me is one of the most genuine ones I can remember in a long time. “Can you—”
“Hey, guys,” Michael says, blasting through the door. His smile is stretched from ear to ear. “I see you made it back.”
Damn it, Michael.
“When we get home, you’re grounded,” Lauren says, although she’s smiling too.
Michael laughs. “Cool. We’ll sit around the table, all four of us, and eat cake. It’ll be great.”
I catch Lauren’s gaze. Maybe things will be okay.
“Whoa, Mom—what happened to your foot? Are you okay?” Michael asks.
Lauren places her foot back on the pillows. “It’s much better than it appears. Your father is making me prop it up.”
Her small smile sends a fire blazing in my chest. God, I love her.
“Okay, so,” Michael says, “Ava’s family has invited me for dinner.”
“Again?” Lauren asks. “Michael, you’re going to wear out your welcome.”
“They love me. They think I’m handsome and charming—and I help do the dishes.”
Lauren’s brows tug together. “Are you sure?”
“Don’t ruin this for me, Mom. Please.”
“Ruin what?”
“This thing with Ava.” He sighs happily. “She’s . . . special, Mom.”
“Tell me you brought condoms,” I say, point blank. There’s no point in dancing around the bush. I was seventeen once, and I know that look in his eye.
“Jack!”
I shrug. “He’s seventeen, Lo.”
“And she’s hot,” Michael says.
Lauren’s head hits the couch cushion, and she covers her face with her hands.
“Mom, listen—she likes to bake. She rides horses. She knows what a double-leg takedown is.” He beams. “And you’ll love this—she’s taking advanced chemistry next year. Like, there’s nothing to not love about her.”