Page 123 of Falling Together

The fireplace crackles as Joey stirs a steaming pot. It’s amazing how quickly the warmth spreads through me. I don’t know what Sam’s place looked like before, but it is well lived in. Coloring pages are strewn across the kitchen counter. Max’s books take up the coffee table, with socks and toys scattered around the floor.

A family that lives here.

Something that I won’t get.

I try to quell the tears, but it seems they’ve been on a trigger point since Grant left.

“Do you want anything to drink?” Joey asks.

That’s all it takes. I burst into tears.

“Oh, sweetheart.” Joey comes around the counter and pulls me in for a hug.

“I’m sorry,” I say over a gasp.

“You have nothing to be sorry about. I can’t imagine what you’re going through.”

Everything that I’ve kept inside these last couple of weeks comes pouring out of me. I’m a sobbing mess, my eyes leaking all over her sweater.

“I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.” Joey rubs soothing circles on my back, but her words make more tears come.

I can’t help it. I squeeze my friend close because I need the connection. I need someone to lean on because for the first time in a long time, I feel more alone than ever.

When you’re always on your own, you get used to it. It’s why I never wanted to rely on people. Now that Grant is in my life, I got used to him being there for me.

Without him? It’s an ache I don’t wish on anyone.

My head hurts and my throat is dry by the time the tears finally subside. “Ugh, sorry. I’m not very good company right now.”

“Please.” Joey hops up to grab a tissue for me. “You know what I was like when Max’s dad walked out. It’s hard when you want a person to be someone they’re not.”

“He is a good person, Joey,” I say, dabbing at my eyes. “He went for Luke, but he still didn’t choose me. And I feel like such a baby saying it out loud, but…”

“But everyone has left you your entire life.”

“Yeah. I thought Grant was going to be the one to change that.”

“He still could,” Joey says. “Maybe Luke will adjust to life with his mom better than you think, and Grant could come back tomorrow.”

“I wish. I mean, I really do want that for Luke. I love him too.”

“I know you do.” Joey wipes the tears away from my eyes. “I know you never wanted to be a mom, but you are truly one of the kindest people I know, and I know how much you care about Luke. And his dad.”

“God. Falling in love sucks.”

“When you find the right person, sometimes it isn’t easy. It took my dad awhile to come around to the idea of me and Sam.”

“Look at the two of you now. Living together and raising Max.”

Joey smiles. It’s a soft one, but it shows how much she loves Sam and Max.

“I wouldn’t change it for a thing. This will be a bump on the road for you and Grant. Growing pains. Every relationship has them.”

“I hope you’re right.”

“You know what will help this?” Joey asks.

“What?”