Page 75 of That One Heartbreak

“I went on one. That’s it.”

“And then Marley came over the other night and we made smores,” Ethan said. “Do you like smores, Grandpa?”

“I love them.” He was still looking at Kate like he was trying to work it all out.

“We should make some tonight,” Ethan said, excitement pulling at his voice. “I’m great at them. Mom lets me use the grill.” He looked at her.

“I don’t know. You have school tomorrow.”

“Please, Mom?”

Addy was shouting at the trainees. She was still in Marley’s arms, resting easily on his side as she called up at the juniors on the first deck of the tower. He turned to whisper something to her and she nodded happily.

Then he turned his head to look over at Kate.

There was an intensity to his stare that made every part of her feel tight. As she watched him hold her daughter in his arms.

When she inhaled this time, it felt like there was a cheese grater in her chest.

“Mommy, look at me,” Addy shouted. “I’m a firefighter.”

All the surrounding people laughed. And Kate tried so hard to as well. She at least forced a smile onto her face.

But then she looked over at the far side of the yard. Where Paul’s photograph was watching them all.

I’m sorry. Please forgive me.

Because right now, she couldn’t forgive herself.

Chapter

Twenty

“So,what is this adorable photograph all about?” his mom asked, turning her phone so that Marley and his brothers – and their dad – could see it.

It was later that day and his mom had insisted he come over for a late lunch. When he’d arrived – after taking a shower post training – Pres and his wife Cassie were already there, along with their three children. Hendrix was there, too. Their youngest brother was five years younger than Pres and Marley and had moved back home for the summer. He was currently working on their uncle and aunt’s farm.

“What is it?” Pres asked, leaning in. Then he lifted a brow. “Oh, you’re fucked,” he told Marley, a huge grin pulling at his lips.

Marley took a look at his mom’s phone screen. It was a picture of him holding Addy. Addy was leaning back, one hand holding the oversized helmet he’d given her, the other resting on his chest. She was laughing uproariously, her eyes on his face as he grinned back at her.

“She came to watch her brother’s training. She wanted to help me.” He shrugged.

“And was her mom there, too?” his own mom asked.

“Yeah, was Kate there?” Pres asked, looking amused.

“Kate Connelly?” Cassie asked. “Oh, she’s lovely.”

Christ, they were ganging up on him now. “James’ family was there, yeah.”

And to be honest, he was still a little confused by the whole thing. Maybe it was the way he’d caught Kate crying when she saw Paul’s photograph on the outside wall.

It had felt like a kick to the gut. Which was wrong, he knew that. She was entitled to feel sad about her dead husband, for god’s sake.

But seeing her standing there. Where it happened. In the place he’d seen his friend fall to the ground and die within minutes. While he desperately tried to save him. As he cried over his body.

It had felt like his heart was being squeezed by an iron fist.

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