Page 74 of Silver Lining Love

That surprised me. I would have thought their conversation would have been about how amazing JJ was and how much Michael idolized him. I figured he would have grilled my brother on games he’d played and asked him about other players and how he’d improved his stats so much in triple-A. I thought that because before we came here, those were the only things he’d wanted to talk about with me.

JJ nodded. “He told me and Destiny how you stepped up and made sure they were all okay. He said that you’ve been there for anything they needed. He said that you helped him with homework and took him to school and practice.”

“I help out when I can.”

JJ was quiet for a minute before he turned to me. “I’ve always looked up to you. You were different than everyone else. You were so smart and always knew the right answers to everything. But last night, when Michael was telling us everything you’ve done, I was proud of you.Reallyproud.”

I wasn’t sure where this was coming from or how I felt about it. I’d never known that JJ looked up to me. All JJ had ever cared about was baseball. Never in a million years would I have dreamed he looked up to me for being smart.

“Thanks.”

“You’re welcome,” he said sincerely.

I expected him to make a joke or give me shit about something to balance out the Taster’s Choice moment that we’d just shared. When he didn’t, I turned toward him to make sure that he was okay.

He was wearing a smirk on his face as he reached over and squeezed my shoulder. “Just don’t do what you always do.”

“What’s that?” I hadn’t even lived here in two decades. How the hell did he know what I always did?

“Overthink it and fuck it up.”

With that parting piece of advice, JJ walked over to coach Michael on his swing.

I might not know what the future held for me or for Whitney and the kids, but I did know one thing, I wasnotgoing to fuck this up.

34

WHITNEY

“If your dreams don’t scare you, they’re not big enough.” ~ Gamma Mary

A senseof wonder enveloped me as I stared up at the inky night sky, blanketed with stars. I’d always heard people say that the sky was bigger in Texas. I’d never believed it was that different, but as I stared up at the vast darkness sprinkled with shimmering lights, I had to admit there was something special about it.

Staring up at its majesty gave me the same feeling that being near the ocean did. It made me feel small and insignificant in the best possible way. Also, it gave me a sense of belonging to something much bigger than myself.

That was sort of what this town had made me feel. Everyone at the party today had been so welcoming and accepting. I’d met so many people who were strangers but immediately became friends. I also met the rest of the Briggs clan, and I couldn’t explain how much they’d treated me like I was one of them. Like I belonged.

And not just me. They were the same way with the kids. The Briggs family and the entire town were magic.

The front door opened and I looked over and saw Wyatt walk out, his expression was one of concern. “There you are. I was looking for you.”

I grinned. “I just needed some fresh air.”

“Did you want some time alone, or is it okay if I join you?”

“Please.” I patted the cushion beside me on the porch swing.

After the party had wound down and I got all the kids to bed, I grabbed the baby monitor and came out to the porch. I had a lot on my mind, and I needed some time alone to figure things out.

I had a big, life-changing decision to make, and it wasn’t just me I was making it for. I had three other lives that it affected. I took that very seriously.

And after an hour of staring up at the sky, I think I knew what I had to do, even if it broke my heart in the process.

Wyatt walked over to me, and I tried not to be distracted by the way his thick hair looked like he’d just tumbled out of bed. Or the way he stared at me with equal parts intensity and tenderness. Over the past few days, I’d noticed that he came by that look honestly. It was the same look that Walker gave Dolly every time he saw her. And all of Wyatt’s brothers had also worn it when they were looking at their significant others.

It was the type of look I’d always wished a man would have when he looked at me.

Which only made the conversation I needed to have with Wyatt that much harder.

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