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“Car accident. It looks worse than it is.”
She patted my shoulder sweetly as Huntley leaned down and whispered, “Hen is in the kitchen; do you want to go find him?”
“No, if it’s alright, I’d like to just have a seat.”
He helped me over to the couch, and I thanked him. “Here, this is for your mom.” I handed him the card that contained the gift, and I hoped that she would appreciate it.
“I’ll put it with the other ones and let Hen know you’re in here.”
“Thanks, Huntley.”
He winked and was gone, and Charlotte came to sit beside me, introducing me to other people as they arrived. She also saved me from having to explain my injury by letting people know I was recovering from an accident. Everyone was pleasant and friendly, and the house quickly filled.
I sat there listening to the chatter around me and letting my gaze slip over the walls of the living room. There were at least a hundred pictures of family in this room, and I wished my leg wasn’t hurting so I could check them all out.
Lee came into the room a little while later, leaned down and kissed my head, and made sure I was alright. I told him I was, but deep inside of me, I was feeling a little off. Maybe it was because I was an outsider, or perhaps it was because after talking about my mother, I was wondering what life would have been like if she had stayed.
Would we have had family gatherings like this? How would things be different? Would she have supported what I wanted to do? Or would she have gotten on my case like my and brother did?
I thought about them a little bit. I guess it did bother me more than I let on that they didn’t approve. If I moved out here and started over, would I be able to prove to them that I could do it?
Lee’s mom approached me as I considered all of that, taking a seat beside me. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine. I really am. A little sore, but I’m alright. Thank you so much for letting me be here.”
She took my hand. “Roxanne, it is my pleasure. I’m glad you are. It’s nice to see Henley so happy.” I smiled, unsure what to say, but I didn’t need to respond because she continued on. “I know you are dealing with a lot right now, but have you thought about helping me with the Valentine’s party?”
While I hadn’t really considered that part of all this, suddenly I realized that I did want to help. “Yes. I’d love to help you organize it.”
She looked happily surprised. “I’m so glad! It will be the perfect way to help you get started out this way. I already told two people that you might be able to help them with events. They were very excited to speak with you.”
I was shocked. “Are you serious?”
“Very much so, Roxanne.”
“But why would you do that? You don’t know me.”
She squeezed my hand between both of hers. “Because I believe in my son, and if he wants to help you, then I want to help you.”
I was speechless as she excused herself and went to welcome another guest. My gaze drifted around the room and down the hall where I could see Wes talking to someone, Marisol hanging on his leg. Riley was laughing with Brad and two other people; Hunt had Tyler over his shoulder, and Kayley was carrying a tray of snacks into the room as Lee winked at me from across the room. At that moment, I realized that my car accident might have been the best thing to have ever happened to me.
Chapter Eighteen
Henley
Every time that I looked at Roxanne, my chest tightened. It wasn’t a bad feeling, but it was something that I’d never experienced before. Upstairs when she’d commented about how she wanted me more than I wanted her, I’d been tempted to show her right then how wrong she was.
While I did date more often, I didn’t necessarily sleep with all the women. Usually, I’d go out with them a few times before taking that step. Of course, I’d had my share of one-night stands, but that wasn’t my norm.
I wanted nothing more than to make love to Roxanne, and if the feeling in my chest was an indication just looking at her, I knew that it was going to be a life-changer. I also didn’t want to rush it, and I sure didn’t want her to think that I was only interested in her for sex. No, as I observed her from across the room, I knew I was in it for the long haul.
I watched her and my mom talk, saw the surprise in her features before my mother left her to greet more guests. Her eyes were wide, and she looked a bit overwhelmed as she came to terms with their discussion. I considered checking on her, but something told me to keep my distance. A few minutes later, she looked calmer and was talking to a friend of my father when I took a seat beside her.
“Can I get you anything to eat?”
“Yes,” she told me immediately.
“What would you like?”
