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Closing my eyes, I feel like the world’s shittiest daughter. “You didn’t.”
“Then why won’t you look at me?”
Touché.
Quashing this stupidity, I turn slowly. But the guilt is written all over my face.
“How’s Saxon?”
“He’s great.”
“And things are okay?”
“Better than okay.” I’m quick to reply, which fortifies my inner turmoil.
She doesn’t look convinced. “I’m here for you. Always. I know you didn’t want to hear what I said last night, but I’m always on your side. You may not like what I have to say, but I say it because I love you. I just don’t want you…”
Annoyance bursts from me, and I can’t hold my tongue. “If you love me, then you’ll drop it. You’ve made your feelings about this quite clear, and I don’t need you to remind me that you think this is some schoolgirl crush.” Her mouth parts, and I instantly feel like a total ass for offending her. I have no idea what’s come over me.
“I just don’t want to see you hurt.”
Sighing, I run a hand through my hair, appalled that I snapped at the one person who has always had my back. “I won’t get hurt. I know what I’m doing.”
She nods, but I hate the niggling voice within, scratching at the surface. Who am I trying to convince? Her? Or me?
Thankfully, my cell rings, distracting me from tackling that conundrum. Reaching for it, I’m unable to keep the smile from my cheeks. “Hey,” I say a little too excitedly.
“Hey yourself.” Saxon’s smooth voice instantly cocoons me in a protective bubble. “How’s it going?”
Peering over at the leaning tower of boxes, I laugh. “It’s going. Slowly. How about you?” I hold my breath, unsure which way this will turn.
“That’s why I’m calling.” Silence. I wait with bated breath. “I was wondering if you’d be cool with us having a barbecue?”
“A barbecue?” I repeat, in case I’ve had a lapse in hearing.
“Yes,” Saxon confirms. “Sam suggested we have one.”
“He did?” I know I’m speaking in two-word sentences, but I have no idea what to say. Sam wants to have a barbecue, and Saxon is okay with it? What exactly happened over there today? But I can ask questions later. “Of course, it’s cool. Did you want me to swing past the store and grab a few things?”
“If you wouldn’t mind. I promise my steak won’t touch your veggie burger.” I smirk, but my mind is still reeling.
“Okay. I shouldn’t be too much longer.”
“It’s fine. Take your time.” Now, I’m really speechless. “See you when you get here. I love you.”
“I lo-love you too,” I manage to squeak out before the line goes dead. I stare at the screen long after the call ends, questioning if it really happened.
There wasn’t a hint of hostility in Saxon’s tone. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say he and Sam were co-existing without issue.
“Is everything all right?” My mother’s concerned voice brings my stillness to attention.
“Y-yes, fine.” And I mean it. “That was Saxon. He and Sam are clearing out the yard. He asked if they could have a barbecue,” I blurt out.
“That’s great. It’ll be a lovely night for it.” And she’s right. But regardless if it were pouring or in the middle of a snowstorm, I’d happily sit and bear witness to Saxon and Sam getting along. “You go. I’ll take care of these boxes.”
“No, I couldn’t do that.”
“I insist,” she presses, understanding this is a big deal for me.
