She stares at it like it might bite her.
"You don't have to call him. You don't have to do anything. But I wanted you to have the choice." I pause, making sure she's really hearing me. "After everything you've been through, after all the choices Scott took away from you, you deserve to make this one for yourself. Whatever you decide, I support you."
She picks up the paper with shaking hands, unfolds it, stares at the numbers written there in my handwriting.
"You've really grown up, haven't you?" She tucks the paper into her pocket carefully, like it's precious. "My little boy. Look at you now."
She reaches up and cups my face in her hands, looking at me with so much love it makes my eyes burn.
"You've grown into a good man, Nate. A man I am so incredibly proud of."
"I had help.” I say, voice rough.
She smiles through fresh tears.
We stand there for a moment, mother and son, both of us scarred by the same man but still standing.
Before I leave, I pull her into one more hug.
"We've both lost a lot," I tell her, my voice muffled against her hair. "Maybe it's time we stop punishing ourselves for surviving and we let ourselves have good things again."
She nods against my shoulder, and her tears soak through my shirt.
“I think you’re right.”
She pulls back, laughs wetly, pushes at my shoulder.
"Get out of here. Go back to whoever's making you glow like that.” She winks and smiles. “And Nate?"
"Yeah?"
"If you love her—and I think you do—then fight for it. Fight for her. You both deserve that."
I kiss her forehead.
"I will, Mom. I promise."
CHAPTER 36
THE EDGE OF SOMETHING
NORA
Wes
If you're not back in LA by the end of the week, the studio is pulling out. I've given you ample time now. Come home.
I stareat the message until the words blur. It's been three days since Wes showed up at the cabin.
This book was my life before it was ever a movie deal.
It was my heart, my grief, my survival stitched into sentences. And now it feels like something that can be taken away with one angry text message.
I lean against the kitchen counter, playing out my options.
I should go back.
That's what the responsible version of me says.
