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Matty slams the door behind Milo and swiftly climbs into the car. A curious silence settles among us, laden with an air of suspicion.
Lyric drives silently for a few minutes, and then Milo, the vigilant one, addresses him. “Lyric, that is a stop sign. You must stop the car.”
“Stop signs are optional,” Lyric nonchalantly retorts, earning a swift whack from Matty. Their camaraderie warms my heart, and I relish witnessing its growth.
“No, they aren’t,” Matty stage-whispers, ensuring the point is clear. The banter lightens the mood, and I can’t help but chuckle softly at their back-and-forth.
As we approach the school, Lyric parks instead of pulling through the drop-off line. The car idles, and Lyric turns around to look at me. “We are going to walk Milo in. Are you good to get to the diner on your own today?”
It’s the first time they are leaving me alone for any significant amount of time. The prospect of space, which I had once yearned for, now feels somewhat daunting. I hesitate, then nod. “I’m okay.” Leaning over, I give him a kiss and then one to Matty.
“Ew,” Milo mutters, eager to exit the car, but not before I grab him and smother him with kisses until he belly laughs. “Lottie! Okay, okay. I need to go to school.”
“Have an amazing day, Milo.” I give him one more smooch before he climbs out, Matty holding his hand as they cross.
Lyric exits the car with me and locks up before following his brother. I watch them walk across the street and head into the school. Only then do I turn around and walk toward the diner.
There’s a crispness to the air today, as if the promise of snow lingers in the atmosphere. I inhale deeply, gulping it down and feeling the coolness in my lungs. It’s a different kind of solitude, the quiet before the bustle of the day, and a newfound space that holds both potential and uncertainty.
As I round the corner, I practically run into Jani again. Her laughter echoes all around us as she holds a hand to her chest.
“Simon, go on ahead. I need to talk to Charlotte,” Jani instructs, giving him a quick kiss, and then he takes off with a knowing smile. “You’re finally alone,” she remarks, giving me an odd look, her eyes glinting with unusual excitement.
“I am,” I reply, stuffing my hands in my coat as we walk toward the diner, Jani close beside me.
“So have you given it any more thought?” she questions quietly, her voice laced with a mysterious edge.
“Given what thought?” I side-eye her, wondering what the hell she’s talking about.
“You know,” she drawls, her lips curving into a sly smile before she rolls her eyes and leans toward me. “Escape.”
“Oh.” I release a strained laugh, feeling a shiver run down my spine at her tone. “I think I’m going to stick around.” I elbow her gently in camaraderie, trying to shake off the eerie vibe. “I like it here.”
“You’re staying?” she questions, her frustration palpable.
“Yeah.” I look up at the sky full of clouds. I’m pretty sure it’s going to snow today. “This is home.”
“You’re staying with Desmond?” she asks eagerly.
Confused, I glance her way, picking up on her peculiar energy. “Yeah.”
“Even though Desmond lied to you?” she probes, her words carrying an unsettling undertone.
“Omitted the truth,” I say, feeling a knot of unease forming in my stomach. By now, I understand why he did what he did and why he kept that information from me. “Yeah, I’m staying.”
“What about” —she looks around us, her eyes darting in a somewhat paranoid manner— “your father?”
“Sperm donor,” I correct her, wariness settling in. “What about him? Mama Black seems to think they’ve given up.” Jani’s behavior is making me reconsider, a seed of doubt taking root. I personally think it’s more about my family being unable to get through the Black’s defenses. Still, Jani’s insistence on certain details is unnerving me.
“I mean, what if he tries to, I don’t know, kidnap you like Tatum’s dad?” she asks, her concern obvious.
I think I know what she’s hinting at. “Tatum grew up in the mafia. I didn’t. Tatum knows how to take care of herself.” We turn down the street leading toward the diner. “Besides, Desmond assured me I’m safe with them in Lenora.”
She grunts a little under her breath, as if that fact rubs her the wrong way. “Well…” She perks up, changing the subject. “I got you something, and I left it on your entryway table. You guys were in such a rush, you forgot to lock the door.”
Unlikely.
“All right,” I say, though I know Matty didn’t forget to lock the door. He never forgets.
