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“What stuff?” There’s a jealous edge in Allie’s voice.
“Hey.” I take her hand across the table. “You know I’d never, ever go there, right?”
“I know. But I want to know what she said.”
“That she’s the fun one and I should meet her at some bar and grill tonight. That she doesn’t kiss and tell.”
“That bitch,” she says under her breath.
“Don’t let her upset you. She’s probably just jealous of how much the kids love you.”
“She doesn’t seem the least bit grateful I’m raising them.”
“Who cares? You’re doing the right thing.”
She squeezes my hand. “Thanks.”
“Hey, I’ve been thinking. I guess I don’t really know how to express, um, what I want to say, but here goes. Allie, I want to be with you. I’ve always wanted it, but never thought it was possible. If we want it enough, though, we can find a way. And I need to know…do you want that, too?”
“I do.” Her smile drops into a look of concern. “I mean, I would, but…I just don’t see how we can.”
“You and the kids would have everything you could ever want in Chicago. Not that money can buy everything, but…we can get a house, any house you want, and Hazel could enroll in a great hockey league. Whatever the other kids like, we can arrange it for them. And my teammates are like family to me. They’d help the kids make friends.”
Allie nods, and time stops as I wait for her to speak.
“I’ll talk to the kids about it tonight.”
“Yeah?” I give her a hopeful grin.
“Yeah. It might sound selfish if I was saying it to someone else, but…I think I deserve to try. I’ve never thought I could have it all, but maybe if the kids know how much I love you, and how much I want this…”
I fight back the burn of grateful tears. “I want it, too. So goddamn much, Allie. If you’ll be with me, I’ll never let you down. I’ll make you happy, I swear it.”
“I’ve never doubted you, even when we were younger. I just didn’t want you to end up resenting the kids and me. You make me happier than I’ve ever been.”
“I want the kids too, Allie. That was never a question. If Jenna wants to fight you for custody, tell her to bring it. We’ll hire the best attorneys in Chicago.”
“Really?” She smiles hopefully.
“I want all of you.”
“I want that, too. I promise, I’ll find a time to sit down with the kids and talk to them about it and let you know.”
“Okay.”
“Do you want to go order lunch?”
“Yeah, sure.”
We get up from the table and she looks over at me as we walk to the salad bar.
“Hey, what was the name of the place Jenna asked you to meet her at?”
“She didn’t actually say. She just told me it’s over by the dollar store.”
“Okay.”
“Why?” I ask.
She shrugs. “Just wondering.”
My ass. Allie’s not letting it go, and as much as I don’t want my girl getting into a bar brawl, I can’t deny it feels good that she’s jealous over me.
That’s how I feel about her. I don’t want any other man putting his hands on her or telling her what he plans to do to her later.
Only I get to do that. Even after all this time, she’s still mine.EighteenAllieIt’s Max’s tears that gut me.
“I’m sorry,” he says, covering his face with his hands.
“There’s nothing to apologize for.” I get up and walk over to the other side of the kitchen table, putting my arms around him. “I wanted your honest feelings on this.”
He wipes his cheeks and takes a deep breath. Max rarely cries, and seeing him so emotional is making Hazel somewhat anxious. Vi is uncharacteristically silent.
“I guess, if we’re moving, I’ll make the best of it,” Max says.
“No, that’s not what I’m saying. This isn’t a final decision. It’s only an option, which is why I’m asking for all of your opinions. We’re a family and we’ll decide together.”
“I really don’t want to leave my friends senior year. Maybe my dad would let me live with him, though. Or Tyson’s parents, they’ve got an extra bedroom in their basement.”
I suddenly feel like an asshole parent for even putting Max in this situation. It would be one thing if we had to move, for my job or something, but we don’t. I want to be with Erik, but not at the cost of leaving Max behind to couch surf while he’s still in high school.
“You’ll be staying right here,” I assure him. “In our home, with me and the girls.”
I move to sit back down in my chair and smile reassuringly. Max continues to look down at the table.
“You deserve to be happy, too, Aunt Allie,” he says.
“I am happy.” My throat tightens. “You guys are the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
