Page 96 of Downpour

Brooke beamed, and damn it—I grinned back.

“Thanks for suggesting it,” I said. “It’s not something I’ve really thought about since I came back here. Leaving, I mean.”

Her smile was infectious. “It’s kinda lame to do a spontaneous trip by yourself. Way better with a friend.”

Something stung me when she said that. Brooke wasn’t my friend. I didn’t want her to be.

As much as I wanted to force myself to believe that I didn’t want more, I wanted more.

But wants and wishes didn’t miraculously give me more to give her.

A figure was sitting on my front steps when Brooke pulled through my grove of trees.

Her smile grew. “I haven’t seen your mom in forever.”

Sure enough, my mom sat on the front steps, holding a pan covered in tin foil.

She stood when Brooke parked the truck and hopped out. Instead of getting out, I sat and watched.

Brooke threw her arms around my mom and gave her the biggest, tightest hug. My mom’s eyes crinkled at the corners asshe hugged her back. Brooke hurried back to the bed of the truck to get my wheelchair out. I popped my door open and lowered down.

“Hey, mom,” I said, releasing the brake and pushing the wheels backward to shut the truck door.

She dabbed her eyes on the shoulder of her t-shirt. “Hey, honey.” A heavy breath escaped her lungs. “Wow. I haven’t ever seen you get out of a car that fast. You’re looking good.”

“I’ll let y’all catch up,” Brooke said, grabbing our overnight bags out of the back.

“Here, sweetheart,” Mom said to Brooke. “I started baking and just couldn’t stop. Thought you all might enjoy some banana bread.”

Brooke peeked under the foil. “Oh my god, this looks amazing. Can you teach me how to make it?”

Mom’s cheeks turned pink. “Well, of course. Just come up to the house anytime. I’d love to spend some time with you.”

Brooke threw her arms around my mom’s shoulders again. “Thanks, Momma. I can’t wait!”

Mom gave me a pleased smile and a knowing look as Brooke made her way up the ramp with our things.

“Seems like you two are getting along.” She glanced over her shoulder. “I like her. I hope she sticks around.”

Yeah, I did too.

“Where were you two off to?” She checked the time. “I thought you’d be home since you don’t have PT until this afternoon.”

I rubbed the back of my neck. “We, uh… We got out of town for the night. Went to see a band play in Maren.”

Worry flashed across her face, but it quickly turned into surprise. “Oh. Well, that’s good. I’m glad you got out and had some fun.” She squeezed my shoulder. “And Brooke was with you?”

I looked at the sky and let out a wry laugh. “Don’t overthink it, momma.”

“I’m not overthinking anything.” She smirked and raised her hands in defense. “It’s written in plain ink, honey.”

“Momma—“

She chuckled and patted my shoulder. “Holler if you need anything.”

I opened my mouth, but froze when I heard Brooke call out.

“Ray?” Panic flooded her voice. I had never heard her sound scared before.

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