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“I’m so excited to have it all with you, Max Abbott. I feel like I’ve waited my whole life for that.”
“Same, sweetheart.”
“What are you boys up to today?”
“Caden is at lunch with his mother.”
“Oh. Wow. How’re you holding up?”
“It’s fine. He’s comfortable enough with her by now to do that, and he wanted to go. I suppose I need to get used to sharing him with her occasionally. Everyone tells me that’s what’s best for him.”
“It is, for sure.”
“I’m trying to roll with it.”
“You’re doing all the right things for your boy.”
“I hope so.”
“How’s he feeling?”
“Back to normal and wants to ski again. We’re doing that tomorrow to break the seal, as Will put it.”
“Good idea. Don’t give them time to become afraid of it.”
“That’s the thinking.”
“I’d better get myself out of bed and get moving with this day. I’ve got a long to-do list.”
“Don’t wear yourself out. You hear me?”
“Yes, dear,” she said with a laugh. “I hear you.”
“Hey, Lex?”
“Yes, Max?”
“I just really can’t wait to see you.”
“Same.”
Even though hewas crazy busy with Caden, skiing, vacation week playdates with cousins and Abbott game night, Max felt like the time was marching in reverse as he counted down to the morning when he would leave for Burlington with his parents.
Game night was the usual shit show, with accusations of cheating, game pieces being thrown at siblings and kids playing Twister until they were a sweaty mess. It was awesome, but Max wanted it to be done so he could get going.
“You’re tightly wound tonight, baby brother,” Hannah said when she sat next to him after they’d had cake to celebrate Callie’s birthday.
“Just ready to get to Houston and be with Lexi full time.”
“I’m happy for you.” She rested her head on his shoulder. “I always wondered if that loose end was the reason why nothing else seemed to work out for you.”
“She was the reason. I see that now. I didn’t allow myself to think about her or talk about her or even miss her, because it hurt too much. I pressed on, but I never got over her. She was a gigantic question mark in the back of my mind, always there even when she was nowhere to be found.”
Hannah looked up at him with tears in her eyes. “That’s lovely, Max.”
He shrugged. “It’s how I feel.”
“You should tell her that.”
