This is my home, it always has been. Tahoe is home too, but not in the same way. Avi is home. Nox will be my home. I hope. If he’ll let me, I’ll be part of his home too.
A vibration in my pocket stops me just short of the kitchen door. When I pull my phone out, I find an unexpected nameon the screen.
Breck
Rory filled me in on everything happening there. If you ever want to talk about dad stuff, I’m here mate.
Or moving across the world for the woman of your dreams stuff… I have a pretty good grasp on that too.
I push through the door with my shoulder, grinning down at the message.
“What’s got you smiling?” Avi asks, and when I look up, I see she’s got her hands splayed in a ball of dough on the counter.
“A text from Breck… Rory’s fiancé.” That thought makes me smile even wider. She called me last week to tell me they’d gotten engaged under the Fourth of July fireworks and I couldn’t be more thrilled for them. What started as a casual, friends-with-benefits situation quickly became something else, and as much as I told Rory to protect her heart, she didn’t. But it all worked out in the end.
“Everything okay there?” Avi asks, and I appreciate her asking, caring about my friends back in Tahoe.
“Oh, yeah. They’re fine—great, actually. He was just offering to talk. I told you about his daughter, Willow? She’s probably the only reason I wasn’t completely lost hanging out with Nox when he was here. I’d never spent much time around a kid before her. Anyway, Breck’s a great dad, and I guess he figured I could use some pointers.” I laugh but it’s somewhat humorless. I honestly could probably use some pointers. I have no idea what I’m doing when it comes to Nox.
“Jamie.” Avi lets my name sit between us until I lift my head to look at her.
“Yeah?”
“You know none of us really know what we’re doing, right? Parents? We just do the best we can. And Lennox, he wants to get to know you. You guys will figure it out. But… extra pointers from someone who’s been there never hurt either.” She smiles and nods toward the phone in my hand.
“Right, yeah.” I nod and open the thread with Breck.
Me
Thank you for the offer. Might be a good idea.
I have no idea what I’m doing.
That feels a little more vulnerable than I want to be with my best friend’s partner, but it’s already sent… and delivered, so here we are.
Breck
None of us do.
Me
That’s what Avi said. Actually, Rory said that too when I first told her.
Breck
We’ve got ourselves some smart women.
I laugh and catch Avi’s eye. She smiles back, and I feel warm knowing she’s mine.
Breck
If you love him enough, them enough, the rest will all fall into place. Worked for me and Rory.
Me
Is she doing okay? She was really calm when I told her I wasn’t coming back…
Breck
