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“Will you take my word for it?” Declan asks, his voice rough. I wonder if it bothers him to say this in front of Carter and Aria, but I don’t think so. He hardly looks at them. He’d say this no matter who was in the room. That makes my heart even warmer.
My mother nods, accepting as solemnly as if they’re making an eternal pact. I guess, in a way, they are.
“Then I give you my word,” Declan says. “I swear to you. I won’t let a damn thing happen to my wife. She’ll be safe with me.”
DECLAN
Idon’t remember a time that I’ve been so damn nervous. I barely touched my plate and I don’t trust the whiskey. All I can think as I stare across the table all night at Mrs. Lennox is that she reminds me so much of my own mother. Memories of my childhood play back as I sit there, scraping the fork across my plate.
I knew I wasn’t good enough for Braelynn back then, and I’m sure as hell not good enough for her now.
Her mother knows that. It’s so fucking obvious that her mother knows that. We all do.
But I can’t let Braelynn go. I won’t do it. I love her and I don’t know how I could survive without her anymore.
With dinner and dessert done, her mother slips on her coat. Hugs were given to all, including me, more than likely reluctantly. Carter and Aria have gone and as Braelynn’s telling her to drive safe, Mrs. Lennox asks me for a private minute.
If I was nervous before, I have no fucking clue what this feeling is. The pit of my stomach twists and turns as I nod and Brae lets go of my hand to leave me alone in the foyer.
“Love you neña,” she murmurs to her daughter who looks skeptically back as she walks to the kitchen to give us a moment.
Brae’s footsteps can barely be heard when her mother tells me calmly, “I remember when you were a little boy, do you remember me?”
If only she knew.
I clear my throat, swallowing down the emotion, “I do.” I wonder what she sees when she looks at me. I wonder if I look like a cold-hearted monster to her, because right now I feel the same as I did back before I knew what this world was.
She glances past me, holding her purse against her chest. “You’re not so little anymore. Seems like a lot has changed.”
“A lot has changed but I—” I breathe out deeply before meeting her gaze, “I loved her then. I just didn’t know how much I needed her. I’m sorry I couldn’t stay away from her.” My voice cracks slightly, betraying me, and I hate it.
I clear my throat again as her mother eyes me. Perhaps thinking that I’m lying to her. And I suppose with all the lies I’ve told, I deserve that, but I can prove to her that I mean everything I say.
Her mother speaks just above her breath, “She deserves someone who loves her.”
I don’t hesitate to answer, “I do. I do love her. And I’ll take care of her.”
A moment passes and then she nods, as if accepting it, and for a moment, it feels like everything might be all right.
“I expect to have dinner every Sunday.” I nod in return and tell her we can do that.
“Good,” she says with finality and then looks behind her at the door. Before she leaves, she says, “Next week, dinner at my house.” Again I nod. I would do anything for her. She adds, “Just you two or your family can come.”
“They’ll be there,” I answer for my brothers, and then I think about all the kids and how I think her mother would love that.
“Just to warn you, it is a large family.”
“Well that’s just fine. I have a large table.”
BRAELYNN
My mom hasn’t been gone for five minutes when she messages me.
He really loves you,the text reads. I smile at my phone and tap out my answer.I know. And I love him too.
I make my way to get a much-needed drink with Declan, my shoulders relaxed, my body light in a way it hasn’t been in a long, long time. My life is coming together. My mom’s part of everything again. She knows about Declan and our love. Maybe not everything, as there are certain things I’ll never breathe life into again. And, for the first time, I feel like I’m right where I’m meant to be. Like this is the start of my forever.
With my thoughts getting ahead of me as I nibble on a bit of chocolate cake, Carter and Declan walk into the kitchen. Mid conversation and for a moment I wonder if I should leave. I don’t want to overhear anything—ever—that isn’t for me to know.
