Page 26 of Two Weeks in Tahoe

I feel her gaze on me, waiting in silence. When I finally look over at her, I notice the fearful look on her face, like she knows this story is going to hurt and she’s bracing for the impact.

“Lace was a few years older than me, and as my big sister, she was always looking out for me. We were really close.” I take a deep breath. I’ve healed a lot in the past few years, but it’s still difficult to talk about. “She married an awesome guy, Nick, and six years ago, they had Jackson. They were so excited, and they loved the crap out of him. We all did. I was so stoked to be an uncle. Then, three years ago…my parents were watching Jackson while Lace and Nick went out for a date night…”

I force my gaze away from the window to look over at her again. She’s frozen, but her attention is completely focused on me. A tear is already slipping from her eye. I turn my gaze away again.

“They were both killed in a car accident,” I admit softly. Though it’s been a few years and it’s gotten marginally easier to live with, telling it to Layla right now makes me almost crack for some reason.

I pause and then clear my throat. I manage to look over at her, and fuck, she’s losing it. Her face is now in her hands, and she’s silently shaking. I run a hand gently down her back, trying to comfort her, trying to help her get through it. It’s obvious she’s also experienced something traumatic that’s triggering her. I’ve been there.

“I’m sorry,” she manages through her hands, shaking her head.

“It’s…shit, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to lay it all on you like that. I just, wanted you to know…”

“No. It’s okay,” she breathes. “I’m so sorry. About your sister and brother…and…poor Jackson…” she barely gets the words out. She takes a deep breath, pulling her head from her hands. Her cheeks are streaked with tears. She clears her throat and looks at me for a moment, then stares down at the center console. “I’m sorry. It’s just…my parents…they uh…they both died in a car accident last year too. It’s why I’m here…all alone…this was always their favorite spot, and I was trying to remember them…or something…”

Fuck.

I lean over and pull her into my chest. She lets out a whimper, then embraces me, wrapping her arms around me and burying her head there. She’s not shaking anymore, just breathing slowly and heavily, like she’s trying really hard to ground herself. I know what it’s like when the grief hits you out of nowhere. I have one hand firmly on her waist and one on the side of her head, holding her tightly to me. The center console wedged between us digs into my side, but I barely notice.

“Jackson,” she whispers, her voice barely audible. “Poor Jackson.”

I simply nod.

We sit in the tight embrace for a while, the only sounds around us the purr of the truck engine and the whooshing air from the heater vents.

“I’m sorry about your parents,” I say softly into her hair. She nods into my chest and gives me a squeeze.

“Do you want me to take you home?” I ask. She pulls away and nods, wiping at her eyes and looking away from me.

I reach over and grab her hand, and she squeezes mine back. Our fingers remain intertwined the whole drive home.

18

Layla

I slept in late this morning. When I eventually rose from my warm, snuggly bed, I made my way to the kitchen where I made my mandatory coffee, then plopped down on the couch.

I’m sitting here with puffy eyes and a coffee in hand, thinking how embarrassed I am about last night. Liam finally opened up to me about Jackson, and I had a full-blown meltdown. I didn’t see it coming and the admission from him struck too close to home. I lost it. But he was so sweet and patient the whole time.

I hadn’t planned for the date to end so early, but after my breakdown, I needed to be alone. As soon as he walked me to my door and hugged me goodbye, I shut the door and collapsed into a pile, sobbing all over again. Yes, I miss my parents, but I was crying for other reasons too. I was crying because I feel so alone sometimes, and I was crying because my heart broke for that sweet child who lost his parents at such a young age. At least I was an adult and had so many years of wonderful memories with my parents. Jackson would never have that, and it broke me.

I check my phone and see that Liam has already texted me this morning.

Liam:Good morning beautiful. I hope you’re doing better today. I had a great time last night. :)

Relief flows through me, realizing that I didn’t scare him off. Him calling me beautiful also does things to my insides.

Layla:Sorry for how it ended. I’m feeling much better today though, thank you. I also had a great time.

He immediately reads it, and I see his typing bubble pop up. I smile.

Liam:No need to apologize. How is your morning? I hope Lord Davies is treating you right;) Otherwise I might need to have a word with him.

I giggle, and it echoes through the empty room. I’m pleasantly surprised to hear that he remembers that name. I was, in fact, about to pull out a book. Though I finished that one already and am onto a new book.

Layla:He’s okay. I’ve already moved on to a new book, though.

A minute or two passes before my phone chimes again.

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