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Groaning, I glance up at her and slowly stand, rubbing the small of my back. “How about you pretend to not enjoy this so much.”
“I’m not happy you’re uncomfortable.” She exhales. “I’m relieved to see life back in your eyes. What I want for you more than anything is to remember how to live. Everything in your life has been in limbo for the past two years. This is your time to rebuild, and I’m here for it.” She takes my hands and squeezes. “You deserve the world, Daph. My wish is that you get everything you ever wanted.”
“First, I have to figure out what that is. I’ve been in survival mode so long I’ve forgotten how to do anything other than keep my head above water.”
“Whatever you need, I’m here.” Ellis links her arm in mine. “I believe you owe me a tour.”
“I always pay my debts, babe. Let me show you Sherman’s properly. It’s the perfect example of old-world charm with the necessary modernizations. I think that could describe our town as a whole. We cherish our history but understand you need to change with the times. There are things we’re still stuck in the past about, but I think the younger generation is working to change that.”
“I love how proud you sound.”
“I am,” I realize it’s true. “When I was younger, I couldn’t wait to get out, but I see the peace to be had here. After years of life under a microscope, I understand how important that is. I feel closer to forty than thirty coming out on the other side of everything. We never expected Novel Grounds to take off the way it did, and the ride to the top was exhilarating. I’m grateful for that, but we lost ourselves and each other when we were at the top.”
“There’s nowhere better to find yourself than in the mountains. They have grounding and healing properties. We need to get you some hematite and black tourmaline jewelry. I noted there was a really cute new age shop not too far from town. We can check it out tomorrow.” I’m willing to do anything to stack the odds in my favor. “I admit those were some impressive moves for a thirty-three-year-old.”
“Girl, you’re the same age.”
“Why do you think I was impressed?”
I snicker, and she giggles, breaking a dam that leads to us bursting out in laughter that brings Alan to our aisle.
“Are you sure I can’t help you, ladies?”Alanasks. We owe this poor kid a sale.
“Knobs,” I latch on to the first thing that popped into my mind. “We want to spruce up the kitchen.”
“You’ll want to go to aisle three. I’ll show you.” We continue to giggle as the teen escorts us to the knobs with a skeptical expression that says he’ll be keeping an eye on us. The absurdity keeps us laughing as we pick out white porcelain knobs with a rose pattern I don’t need, and I show her the original wood carvings and architecture. I can’t put off facing things inevitably, but I can dodge them like the red rubber ball during a kickball session.
* * *
New
Sweat beads on my forehead as I break into the fourth pile of brown boxes the mailman brought in this morning. I relish the quiet of the stock room. I wipe my brow with the back of my hand and ignore the exhaustion threatening to slow my momentum. I blink to add moisture to my dry, burning eyes.
“You don’t have to do all that today, New.” Mom calls from behind the register.
“I’m just killing time till the kid gets here, Mom. It’s not a big deal.” We both know it’s a lie. These days Mom is short on staff but not foot traffic. With Dad gone, I feel a different responsibility regarding the woman who raised my two brothers and me. I can’t let her dream business flounder. It keeps her going.The curse of being the eldest.Sliding the blade of the box opener through the tape, I open the first box. I scowl down at the floral-themed cover with the title, Her last Love. I know first-hand that romance in real life doesn’t live up to the hype. Pulling the hardback out, I stack them dutifully.
I used to think I had it all. I found the love of my life in high school, got married young, and had a son. Laurel got to stay at home with Braxton while I worked with Dad, Gale, and Law. I was living the dream blindly, believing everything was fine. I couldn’t have been further from the truth. Anger swells in my chest when I think about Chaze and how my former friend stepped out with my wife for who knows how long. I don’t know which betrayal was worst, the man who’d been like a brother since I was a teen or the woman who vowed to spend forever with me. Bitterness makes my mouth pucker like sour lemonade. I slam the books onto the table.
“Are you murdering someone back here, New?” Mom pops her head into the doorway, and I reign in my anger.
“Sorry, Mom.” I smile sheepishly.
Her eyebrows come together, and light fades from her dark blue eyes. “Newton—.”
“Don’t.” I shake my head. She has the uncanny ability to read her children like a book. It made getting away with shit growing up nearly impossible.
She sighs heavily. “I know it’s hard not to dwell on what happened. But you have to let it go before it eats you alive.”
I grind my teeth. “Yeah. Easier said than done.”
“She never deserved your love and loyalty, New. You’re going to find the right person who will.” Walking over, she places a hand on my shoulder.
I snort. “That’s the last thing I’m worried about. All my energy is going to make sure Brax is okay. He’s struggled hard with the changes.”
“And none of that is your fault. You always put your soon first—.”
“And I’ll continue to do that.” I meet her gaze. “That’s my main concern, Mom. Everything else is just noise.”
