Page 80 of The Forever Game

And then it finally came.

Now we’re driving to a house where two no doubt scared and traumatized children are waiting for Liam and me to take them into our home—to love them and help them heal.

My nerves are fried, frayed at the edges as fears and worries try to take me out. What if they hate living with us? What if we’re not enough? What if they find a home in our place and are then sent back to El Salvador? What if their family changes their minds? What if?—

“If you’re playing theWhat If?game right now, please stop,” Liam chides me. “That’s only gonna send you into a tailspin.”

I close my eyes and try to nod. “Yeah, I know. You’re right. I just didn’t sleep well last night, and my mind is…” I shake my head.

He squeezes my hands again. “Ray, we just have to take one day at a time, okay? We can’t get too far ahead of ourselves. We need to love these kids in the moment and not think about the rest. Whatever comes, we can face it because we have each other.”

I glance at him, my heart warmed by his sweet words. Raising his hand to my lips, I kiss the back of it before whispering, “Thank you. I love you.”

“Love you, too, beautiful woman.”

My smile grows a little wider, only faltering when my phone starts to ring and I notice the name on my screen.

“Who is it?”

“Caroline,” I rasp.

He tips his head and pulls the car over.

“What are you doing?”

“You don’t want this on your mind as well. Answer it. Deal with it. And then we can pick up these two kids with a clear head.”

With a begrudging sigh, I slide my thumb across the screen and try to put on a bright voice. “Hey. How’s it going?”

“Hey.” Her voice is soft and tired.

“Everything okay with Lyla?”

“Yeah, she’s in the incubator again. They’re monitoring her breathing, and she’s having sessions under those bili lights for her jaundice, but she seems strong. She can only handle small feeds, but they’re frequent, and I’m holding her as much as possible.”

My heart pinches, but I’m smiling as I picture Caroline with her new daughter. “I’m glad she’s okay.”

“Yeah, it’s not the start I wanted for her, but I’m so incredibly grateful that she’s going to make it through. Things are looking good at this stage.”

“They’ll stay that way,” I assure her. “She’s going to be just fine.”

“Thanks.” Caroline’s voice starts to wobble. “Hey, Ray?”

“Yeah.” I bite my lips together.

“I know things have been weird between us, and I just… I wanted to clear the air. I’m sorry if I hurt you when you came to visit that day. I can’t remember what I said. I was stressed and tired and having the worst day. If I did anything to trigger you, I’m… I’m so sorry.”

“No, it’s?—”

“Please, is it okay if I finish?”

“Yeah, of course.” I wince, biting my bottom lip.

“And I’m sorry that I haven’t called sooner. I just let it sit, you know? And I should have called to check on you. I knew how hard this all was for you, and I should have shown compassion and sympathy rather than backing off and hiding away from you. I really am sorry, Ray. You are the sweetest, kindest person I know, and I value your friendship so much. You?—”

“Okay, it’s my turn,” I cut her off before the guilt can swallow me whole. “I… The way I behaved in your house was not okay. I was hurting, and I’d just found out the adoption had fallen through, and I didn’t mean to lose it with you. I’m sorry. And I’m also sorry that I left things hanging. I should have called to apologize, but I didn’t have the guts, and then for a second there I thought you were going to lose your baby or something, and I was heartbroken for you. It made me realize how much I love you as a person and as a friend, and I should have called you sooner.”

Caroline lets out a watery laugh. “I love you too.”

---