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“Bullshit.” I wrap my arms around her, tug her into a tight hug when she tries to pull away. “You’re not fine.” A beat. “Tell me.”
Stiff like a statue.
Then she exhales, drops her hands to her sides, and…she lets go.
Sobs hitching her chest, tears dripping down my skin, body shaking so hard that it seems as though she is going to shatter into a thousand pieces. I hold her tighter, rub a hand up and down her spine. “Shh,” I say softly. “It’s okay. Let it out, sweetheart. Just take a breath and let it out.”
And she does.
Those tears not slowing. Those sobs not stopping.
That shaking going on and on and on.
It’s unbearable, but I don’t tell her to stop.
I just stand there and let her give it to me.
Eventually, her tears slow and she pushes lightly at my chest. I let her draw back, but don’t completely release her.
“I’m sorry,” she murmurs so softly I have to lean in to hear her. “I didn’t come here for this. I?—”
I cup her jaw, tilt her head up, and meet those tear-swollen eyes. “You’re family, sweetheart. If you can’t come here for a hug, then?—”
A flicker of movement catches my attention and I barely hear Tiff say, “I should be able to handle my mom’s bullshit by now.”
Because it’s not just movement, not a bird or a squirrel or a neighbor walking their dog.
It’s…
Brit.
My gaze hits my ex-wife’s, and it only takes a heartbeat for the hurt in her chocolate-brown eyes to eviscerate me.
But even before I can drop my arms from Tiff, can step back, can apologize for being such a dumbfuck the night before, she’s turned, hustled down the driveway and gotten into her car.
The tires squeal as she pulls away from the curb.
Tiff’s expression is grave as I manage to tear my eyes from Brit’s car disappearing and look back down at her.
“I should go,” she whispers.
“Tiff,” I say. “It’s?—”
A shake of her head.
A harder push against my chest.
And just like I’m good at, just like I’m best at…
I let her go.
Fourteen
Brit
It takes every part of me to slow down, to drive safely, to watch out for the kids playing at the park. But I manage to regain control. To watch out for animals as I turn the corner. To keep my eyes peeled and make sure a ball followed by a tiny human doesn’t careen out in front of me. I let off the gas, make sure I go precisely the speed limit, and clear that hurdle.
And then carefully make my way out of the rest of the neighborhood.
