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“I pulled back on my purse. I should have just let her take it from me. She might still be here if I had.”
“Maybe, but she was the one who allowed herself to get distracted. She took her eyes off the road. The car was already swerving before you pulled back. You read the police report of the eyewitness. You did not cause that accident, Jordyn.”
Tears roll down my cheeks as I stare at the man I love.
He’s here, and he’s fighting this battle with me. I can see it in his eyes that he wants to take this burden from me. I wouldn’t let him even if he could.
“I think I need help.” I can’t go on like this. I know I said I needed time, and I do, but this goes deeper. I’m still that ten-year-old little girl who lost her brother in a car accident caused by her mother to the now twenty-four-year-old woman who just lost her mother in the same manner. I know I need more than just time, and I need to face that truth.
“Name it.”
“I think I should talk to someone.”
“We’ll talk to Brooks at the party and see if he has any recommendations.”
Just like that. No hesitation, and he still looks at me like I’m his favorite person.
This isn’t coming between us. Our bond, the love that we share, can withstand anything. I truly believe that.
“Can I ask you for a favor?”
“Anything, sweets.”
“I could really use a hug right now.”
He steps in closer, mindful of my leg, and wraps me in his arms. He doesn’t care how we look or if people are watching as we hug it out here in the parking lot of the grocery store. He only cares about getting me what I need.
I have no doubt that I’m going to get through this. Ryder and his love will make sure of it.
The party has been so much fun. I’m soaking in every moment. I never got to experience anything like this growing up.
The large family is something I’ve always craved, and now I have it. I’m surrounded by endless love and support. I’ve had the best day. So much so that my face hurts from smiling. I’ve been catered to by everyone and welcomed with open arms.
My heart is full. A twinge of guilt seeps into the cloud of happiness, but I push it back.
Earlier, Brooks gave me the name of a therapist at the hospital he works for and says he’s highly recommended. I’m going to call on Monday to make an appointment. I don’t want this grief of losing my mother the way I did to overshadow moving forward, living my life for me. Luckily, I’m still on my father’s insurance. I don’t know for how long, but we’ll cross that bridge when we get there. I only have another year before I needed my own anyway; by law, I wouldn’t be able to stay on theirs. That’s probably why they wanted to marry me off so soon.
“Aunt Jordyn, this is for you.” Blakely skips over and hands me a picture.
“Did you draw this?” I take the drawing from her hands.
“Yep,” she says proudly.
I read what she wrote above it and bite my lip to keep from laughing.
“It’s for you. We’ve all been bothering you lots, and my mommy says sometimes it’s okay to need space. So, you can put this on the front door when you want space.”
“What you got there?” Ryder asks.
“Oh, well, Blakely drew me a picture.”
Blakely pipes up and explains what and why she drew what she did.
“Don’t cum in her,” Ryder reads. He smirks, and I see him bite down on his cheek to get his laughter under control. “It’s my favorite,” he says, giving me a heated look.
“You have to give her space if she needs it,” Blakely says, hands on her hips, sounding much older than her seven years.
“Yo, Dec, Kennedy, your daughter drew a picture. You should come and look at it,” Ryder calls out for them.
Blakely takes the picture from Ryder and presents it to her dad when he gets closer. “Look, Daddy. I made Aunt Jordyn a ‘don’t come in here’ picture to hang on her front door when she wants space, ’cause we’ve all been bothering her a lot lately.” She smiles, proud of herself.
I watch as Declan’s eyes scan the page, and his face goes red. He hands the paper to his wife, and she gasps and covers her mouth.
“Wow,” Kennedy breathes.
“I know. I’m a good artist,” Blakely says. She turns to walk away and shrieks. “Uncle Mav! You have a golden ticket!” She scurries off to Maverick, who is standing just a few feet away.
Maverick holds his hands up to catch her, but she stops and crouches down, lifting his foot. “See, a golden ticket.” Maverick’s face goes white and then red. “It’s a ma—mag—magn—um. Magnum golden ticket!” She waves it in the air, and Maverick is quick to snatch it out of her hands.
