Page 123 of Fierce-Michael

“I’m right there,” she said. “Are you?”

“Keep your eyes open,” he said. “Watch me.”

“Let’s watch each other,” she said.

It was the intensity in his gaze that was the deciding factor that nudged her over that ledge.

She started to come and close her eyes.

“Keep them open,” he said.

“It’s hard to do that.”

She felt she was forcing them open as everything inside of her was pulsing and squeezing.

“Nothing that is worth it is ever easy,” he said.

Those words kept their eyes locked in place as she felt him coming right along with her.

“No,” she said. “It’s not.”

He’d been balancing on his forearms and dropped down and rolled, releasing her fingers and pulling her on his chest.

“Are you okay?”

“I think so,” she said. “Nothing hurts or is painful, but I feel so drained. I’m not even sweating.”

He laughed. “The same. Maybe we need to focus on each other like that more.”

“Maybe we do,” she said and finally closed her eyes.

37

GOOD HANDLE

Amonth later, Michael watched Ty running around his backyard while he looked around for anything else he needed to do for his son’s fifth birthday party.

“I think it’s all set,” Kelly said. “It’s only family.”

“I know,” he said.

He heard car doors and then turned and saw his parents coming through the fence, each carrying a tray. He told his mother she didn’t have to bring anything, but she said she’d bring two salads and there was no arguing with her.

He was only grilling burgers and hot dogs. In addition to the two salads his mother brought, Kelly put together a bunch of snacks and he had baked beans. More than enough food for his parents, Cade and Alex and her family, Alex’s mother Paula, Electra’s parents, and Electra.

Not that he’d heard from the last three people on the list, but he’d extended the invitation to them as he did every year.

In the past month, Ty had only seen his mother twice. One Tuesday and one Saturday night. It felt as if there was always something going on or a last minute cancellation and Michael was getting frustrated.

He’d asked her what was up and if she’d thought of things and all she did was shrug.

The nonstop not-knowing was worse in his mind and more confusing for Ty than if things just ended altogether.

He’d address it soon enough, but now wasn’t the time.

Cade walked back and Ty took off running with his cousins. Kelly went for Jordan, and she and Alex grabbed a seat in the shade, then Paula came in too.

“How do you think it’s going to be with Electra and Kelly here together? Is this the first time they are meeting?” his mother asked.

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