Page 69 of Inseverable (Carolina Beach)

“Here, baby,” Trin says. “Let me.”

Her voice is soft, patient. I stare at her outstretched hand for several painful heartbeats before I surrender my plate. She removes a lid from the rack and replaces it with the soiled dish I held for too long.

As easily as that, she makes a place for me.

I can’t do much more than breathe, and even that much hurts. But her gesture is effortless. Her solution simple. Her voice relaxed. She’s . . .Trin. Fixing everything as naturally as she fixes everyone with her smile.

That doesn’t stop me from moving stoically away.

Landon’s returned. Whoever he called, and whatever he or she had to say, pissed him off. But I don’t ask why. Instead I shake the hand he offers, and thank Miss Silvie again for the meal and the hospitality.

There is though, one person I need to see before I can leave. And while I’ve only just met him, it’s his words I won’t forget.

Trin’s daddy stands alone out on the terrace. Miss Silvie stops me with a gentle clasp to my arm. She flashes that small smile all southern ladies somehow manage, even when they’re hurting for those they most love.

“Mr. Owen needs a moment,” she says. “You’ll excuse him if he doesn’t pay his respects, won’t you, son?”

I nod, although the motion barely registers. “Yes, ma’am. Please tell him I said thank you, and good night.”

“I will, son,” she answers.

The wrinkles along the corners of her eyes soften as her hand slowly slips away. She steps out onto the terrace, where her husband is leaning against the stacked stone railing and staring out into the darkness. He’s likely searching for the peace I’ve often sought, and I hope he finds it.

Miss Silvie takes her place beside her husband, not to speak, but to let him know she’s with him. It’s a sight to see, and a moment I don’t remember my mother ever sharing or offering freely. But right then and there, feeling what I’m feeling, it’s a form of beauty that’s too painful to watch.

This time, it’s my turn to walk away. I march down the hall, out the foyer, and through the main doors. By the time I slip behind the wheel, my chest is as rigid as titanium and my lungs raw with every breath I take.

I grip the steering wheel, trying to ease my breathing before I crank the engine. I can’t drive like this. Not safely. So I take my time and concentrate so I can.

The apocryphal foot mashing my chest in, slowly releases its pressure. I rub it a few times, more to be sure I’m well enough to drive, before starting my truck with a roar. As I shift into reverse, the passenger side door handle slaps back.

Through the window, Trin stares back at me, her thin brows puckered. At first, her presence confuses me and I don’t initially act. I’m not proud to admit this, but I wait before setting the truck in park and flipping the locks to allow her in.

She opens the door and hops into the seat, reaching for her seatbelt and snapping it in place. “You were leaving without me?”

She’s not asking me, or yelling. She’s genuinely dumbstruck that I’d take off without her.

I fiddle with the steering wheel. “I figured you’d be staying with your folks.”

I don’t miss the disappointment in her voice. “Then why didn’t you tell me goodbye?”

Shame has me bowing my head. She doesn’t deserve the way I’m treating her. “I’m sorry, baby.” I sigh. “I’m tired. It may be too much for me to drive you back later, and no way in hell are you walking back alone.”

“Why are you talking like I’m not spending the night? It’s what we planned.”

I swivel my body to face her. “Your parents are here,” I say, slowly, leaving out the obvious.

“I know. We?I mean if you’re up for it?are meeting them for brunch tomorrow.”

I angle my body in the direction of the house again. “Do they know you plan to be with me? All night?”

“Yes. They know. Just like they know we’ve been sleeping together?why are you covering your face like that? Callahan, my parents aren’t stupid. They know we’ve been doing it like horny rhinos beneath the hot Serengeti sun.”

I finish running my hand down my face to find her laughing. “I told you, my family and I are close,” she drawls. “Now, I did spare them the details. Especially about that night you lifted me up and pleasured me against the wall?by the way that was real hot, hon?Oh! And that time you bent me over the dining room table?you know the one we just ate on?and gave me likefourmind-blowing orgasms. And,hey! Remember when we did it the shower? Goodness, we never did find that soap now, did we . . .”

She keeps talking, because she’s Trin. The best I can do is pop my truck back in reverse and pull out of her driveway. It’s a wonder Owen and Landon didn’t each pick a ball to shoot off.

The closer we get to my place, the less she says. I park close to the back door, but I don’t make an effort to move, and neither does she. Despite her animated voice, I know I hurt her when I tried to leave without her. I take her hand, watching it disappear within my grasp.

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