Page 97 of Between the Lines

“The cheating.”

Maude nodded as she moved on to quartering the tomatoes. She’d filled Robbie in on what she’d found out about Emily. Her knife tapped softly against the cutting board. “The cheating, the lying, trying to keep Ollie from the kids, trying to keep Ollie from getting Milo back… Bottom line is, Nolan doesn’t want to live with his mother anymore.”

Robbie nodded. “Can’t say that I blame him.”

Maude added the tomatoes to the salad bowl. “No,” she said. “I don’t blame him, either. He’s hurt and angry, and at eighteen, he’s old enough to know exactly what he’s angry about.”

Robbie crossed his arms carefully, mindful of his injury. “So why does the way you’re reacting feel like something other than sympathy?”

“Because I’m human. And I’m feeling things I probably shouldn’t be feeling.”

Understanding filled Robbie’s eyes. “I get it. He showed up without warning. He interrupted your night, and because Ollie is so busy, the time you get with him is important. So you feel like Nolan is going to take even more of that time away from you. All while feeling bad that you feel that way.”

Maude stopped slicing an onion and stared at her brother. “When did you get to be Dr. Phil?”

Robbie’s mouth quirked up on one side. “Don’t overthink it, but I’ve been listening to a podcast about dealing with your feelings.” He shrugged. “I guess I’ve picked up a few things.”

“Well, you completely nailed it. Nolan showed up with his backpack and stuff in his car. And I could tell by looking at him that he was trying to pretend he was fine but wasn’t.” She glanced at Robbie. “He asked to see Ollie right away. He could have at least said hello to me at first.”

She tipped the onion slices into the bowl. “But I quickly figured out Ollie hadn’t told Nolan about me yet.”

Robbie winced. “That’s rough.”

“I mean, it is and it isn’t.” She tossed the salad gently, then set the tongs down. “I get it. He’s protecting his son, who already has more upheaval in his life than he should. But it hurt a little.”

“I’m sure it did.” Robbie snagged a slice of cucumber out of the bowl. “How did Ollie take it all?”

“Ollie handled it great. He was calm and cool. Happy to see his son, which I also understand. But it changes things. Nolan’s not a kid anymore, but he’s not exactly an adult yet, either. He still clearly needs his dad in his life.”

“And you’re worried about him? Or Ollie?” Robbie asked.

“Both of them,” she said simply. “And maybe, selfishly, about myself, too. About where I fit into all of this.”

Robbie gave her a look but said nothing.

“I care about Ollie,” Maude said. “A lot. Obviously. But I also know what it’s like when family drama takes over a life.”

“Thanks,” Robbie said with a roll of his eyes.

“I didn’t mean you. I just…I don’t want to be in their way, and I don’t know how to act when it’s something I can’t actually help with.”

Robbie nodded slowly. “That’s fair.”

“I know that for them, this isn’t about me,” she added. “But it is for me. You know what I mean?”

“I do,” Robbie said.

“I guess it feels like…like Nolan showing up unexpectedly is a reminder that Ollie’s past isn’t finished just because he and I found our way back to each other.”

Robbie shifted closer to the counter. “Did Ollie ask you to weigh in?”

“Not yet,” Maude said. “And maybe he won’t, which is fine. This is his kid. But it still puts me in a position where I have to decide how involved I’m willing to be. I mean, if Nolan’s living with him, he becomes part of the deal.”

“It’s a little awkward,” Robbie said.

“Yeah,” Maude agreed.

“You’re allowed to take your time with all of this. And you’re allowed to feel however you want to feel about it. But I’ve known Ollie almost as long as you have. He’s going to do right by Nolan, but he’s going to do right by you, too. He’s not going to lose you again after all this time.”