Page 77 of Dandelions and Smoke

“She’s going to love that,” I mutter sarcastically, my head falling into my hand on the table as Emma and Blake walk in, their brows furrowed in question.

“Are you going to be okay? Can I do anything?” I ask, desperate to fix something and not feel useless.

“Yes? No? I don’t know. It’s the busiest month of the season for us. We’re playing an away game against the Titans next week, but Hannah is here, so maybe she can help. That’s not why I was calling. I—” His voice trails off.

Not knowing how to ask for help must run in the family because Lucas and I could host a masterclass.

“I know, and I’m glad you called me. I want to know these things and be there for you. If I can figure something out, I will,” I promise him.

A part of me feels guilty after hanging up. Going to Tampa Bay wouldn’t just solve his problem but mine too. This may not be a permanent solution, but it can give me the time to figure one out. Jasenia made herself clear. She wants me out of Chief’s life, and going there will definitely give her what she wants.

“What’s going on?” Blake asks, leaning on the back of the chair Emma’s sitting in.

Hiding my feelings has never been my strong suit, and right now I feel like a complete dumpster fire.

“Lettie is on bed rest,” I explain, grateful that this is enough to keep them from prying any further.

Lettie being on bed rest scares the hell out of me. Add everything else that’s going on, and my nerves are fried.

“Is she okay?” Emma asks, her arm reaching out to touch mine.

“Yeah,” I assure her, but I can’t help the tears that spring to my eyes.

“Half-Pint,” Blake murmurs before pulling me against his side and holding me while I sit in the chair and cry.

Leaving here means leaving this family and everyone I love, not only Chief. But I don’t have to stay away, I reassure myself. After enough time has passed, I’ll come back home.

Home.

The meaning of the word is something I’ve never truly felt until now.

“Wait,” Emma chirps up, like she’s had an idea. “My mom gave me plane tickets to Florida so I could go visit my sister.”

Blake releases me, and I wipe my face.

“Since my sister is living back here now, I don’t actually need them anymore.” She holds out her hands like she’s giving me an imaginary gift, and my eyes widen.

Could it be this easy? Could all the pieces be falling so neatly into place for a reason? I’ve always believed things can happen this way, but I didn’t think that if they happened to me, it would hurt so much.

“I can’t take your tickets,” I argue, wrestling with my disbelief that this is real life.

“Uh, yes, you can because I’m giving them to you and they are non-refundable and expire soon,” she insists.

My brow twitches, and I glance between her and Blake. “Do they actually expire soon?”

“Does that answer dictate whether or not you’ll take them?” she asks, eyes narrowing playfully.

“Perhaps.”

“Then yes, they expire soon,” she nods her head, sending her butterscotch curls haphazardly back and forth.

Blake squeezes her shoulder, and her cheeks turn a soft rosy color, highlighting all of the freckles scattered across her cheeks.

“Only if that’s what you want,” he adds.

Making this decision for myself right now feels like the exact kind of impulsive, emotionally fueled choice my brain loves to make. I’ve worked too hard to not let those moments dictate my life. But if I take myself out of the equation and focus on what Lucas needs, it’s a no-brainer.

“Lucas needs me,” I confirm, agreeing to take the tickets.