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How is that possible?
“Didn't answer,” he says simply, brushing it off before looking behind me. “Hey, Col!” His tone changes into something more upbeat. “How are you, bud?”
He walks past me, leaving me in a cloud of confusion.He didn't answer? So we're still waiting. Anxiety balloon refill.
Lake walks up to Colin, holding his hand out to shake. Colin takes his hand, looking down at the floor, and shakes it once before dropping it with his palm stretched wide. He grips the bottom of his shirt, rolling the edge in his palms like he does.
“You ready for some good food?” He wiggles his brows at Colin. “I’m talking catered takeout better than you’ve ever had.”
“As long as there's no spice. I don't want to fart in front of your mom. No farts in front of mom. No spice, Lake,” he says with a warning to his tone.
“Flatulence.” Lake laughs, his smile spreading across his face, warming me all over. “How could I forget?”
His genuine smile has my heart thumping again. He turns his smile towards me, and it's small, but I see it change ever so slightly. His eyes dart away from mine, and something pulls at my chest. The moment is so small, but it doesn't sit well with me.
Regardless of the look, he holds his hand out for me. I slide my fingers into his warm palm and he pulls me towards him, wrapping our linked hands behind my lower back and holding me to his side. He kisses my temple with soft lips, and my heart flutters.
“Ready, Chief?” he whispers into my hair.
It's then I notice his hand is shaking in mine. I give him a light squeeze before looking at Colin and back.
“Start your engines boys, we got a Thanksgiving to get to.”
Wearriveatthehome, and naturally, my jaw drops. The driveway is long and circular, weaving us through rows of gorgeous pine trees directly to the front of the stunning blue-and-white craftsman-style home.
“Lake,” I gasp. “This is beautiful.”
He grins, putting the truck in park. “Believe it or not, I had nothing to do with this. Her dream. Her house.”
The statement hits home. Of course, it's only natural to assume that this young man gifted his mother with a beautiful new home after he solidified his career in football, making millions. But the fact that he made it known he had nothing to do with it only insinuates that his mother is as badass as I already believe her to be.
I step out of the car with the help of Lake before he opens the door for Colin. Breathing in the scent of pine surrounding the tucked-away home, I draw my eyes to the large wooden door that practically radiates warmth in its rich tone. I feel the care and attention to detail as I walk along the brick pathway towards the front door, noting the orange and yellow mums surrounding it. There's an overabundance of love beneath this roof. It's practically palpable in the air surrounding us.
Colin throws his backpack over his left shoulder, walking up behind me as Lake leads us up the wooden stairs to the large porch stretched before the door.
With his arm reaching out before him, his fingers linger just above the doorbell. The door opens before he gets the chance to push it, and the sight knocks the wind from my chest.
There before me is the answer.
His reality.
His reason for withholding, for not accepting his truth.
Before me stands a tiny shred of a woman. Half of the person I saw in that picture on his fireplace mantel. By the yellow silk wrap covering her more than likely hairless head, I can only assume some sort of illness is controlling every bit of her life in the most torturous way. And yet, through the frail exterior, she somehow beams with a radiance reminiscent of that image of her from a time when things were different.
Lake's face says it all. He stills in place, eyes just staring at her. Shock is etched into his features as he fixes on her. Unmoving.
It makes sense now; the words that fell from his lips in a time that feels forever ago.I can't do this alone.
Sliding my fingers through the hand that's just hanging near his thigh, I grip my palm to his, giving a light squeeze. Telling him everything he needs in one simple touch.You don't have to anymore.
“Dylan,” Lydia exudes with a smile stretched across her face as if she’s seeing her best friend for the first time in a long time.
It's simple, really. She radiates love, kindness, and strength.
And with one hug from her, I feel it all.
Everything that Lake is set to lose.
