Page 67 of On the Edge

“You will.” Eric met my gaze before glancing at my made bed where Declan had spent the majority of the last month. Oz was currently lounging on the couch, and okay, the basement was a little cramped for the two of us and slightly lacking in privacy, but we managed. “And all of us will be fine when you move on.”

“Yeah,” I agreed weakly. Unlike previously, the reminder that eventually I’d move on and not be as needed by Eric and the kids didn’t sting. I finally had more of my own life, my own future, and thanks to Declan, my own dreams.

“I fully expect Sean and Denver to need more space eventually too, and I’ll be the old, crotchety landlord with an ad up at the college for rooms to rent.”

“You’re not old. And you might find?—”

“Some good renters.” Eric finished my sentence before I could renew my bid for him to think about dating. “You better hurry, or you’ll be late to the Murphys.”

“A mortal sin.” I took the hint and made my way upstairs to where Declan was waiting by his new truck. The sleek black full-sized truck was another sign that Declan was sticking around Mount Hope for a while, giving him something to drive other than borrowing vehicles and rugged enough for any local races he might want to attend over the summer as a spectator.

He drove across town to his grandparents’ house, Sean’s folks’ place, which they’d had as long as I’d known Sean, although they also now had a small condo in California. Between Sean, his sisters, and assorted other Murphy family and friends, we struggled to find a parking space on the street.

“Oh look, the neighbor is selling.” Declan pointed to a sign in front of an older split-level that looked like something out of a classic comedy. “Probably tired of all the Murphys parking on the street.”

“Probably.” I was way more nervous than I’d expected to be as we walked up the sidewalk. Sean and Denver must have arrived shortly before us because they were ahead of us on the sidewalk. They paused near the neighbor’sFor Salesign, deep in conversation. Perhaps Eric had been onto something there, but I had little time to contemplate as we were swept into an April shower worth of family greetings, food, Easter outfit admiring, and kid antics.

An hour in, and I was more exhausted than after an eighteen-hour shift. But so far, other than Sean giving us a noticeably wide berth, everyone had been nice, if overly talkative. I could see now where Declan had struggled to find his spot in this loud family, and I was glad to be the place where he could find quiet refuge. However, the Murphys were also good people who knew how to cook, and I enjoyed myself more than I’d expected.

“T minus fifteen minutes, and then we’re escaping for a drive.” Coming up beside me in the family room in the back of the house, Declan leaned in to whisper in my ear. “I think we’re both ready to bail.”

“I’m okay with staying as long as you want.” I gave a nominal protest even as I eyed the front door.

“Nope.” Declan chuckled. His sister was in town for the holiday, and she’d grilled him throughout most of the buffet-style meal. His eyes looked happy but tired, much as I also felt. “You’re overwhelmed, and so am I, and there’s something I want to show you before it gets dark.”

“That sounds promising.” As did getting away from the hectic party.

“But first, I need to hit the dessert table, or Grandma will have my hide. What can I get you?” He headed back toward the dining room.

“Surprise me,” I said as I followed. I would have joined him in picking out my own, but I caught sight of Sean in the livingroom, sitting by himself with a sleeping redheaded Murphy baby on his lap. “I’ll take anything without coconut.”

“I can do that.” Declan strode over to the crowd of kids standing around the side table piled high with vanilla egg-shaped cake, strawberry pie, Easter-themed sugar cookies, and more.

I took the opportunity to walk over to where Sean sat in a recliner by the window. His mother had Disney decor in almost every nook in the house, so I wasn’t surprised to find a Magic Kingdom throw on his recliner or a Sleeping Beauty romper on the little Murphy napping on his lap.

“Hey,” I whispered. “On uncle duty?”

“Yep.” He patted the sleeping baby’s rump as he glanced up at me. “Nice tie.”

“You too.” I gestured at his tie, which was undoubtedly a gift from his mother as it featured cartoon firefighters. “Nice weather.”

“Nice day for it,” Sean agreed. “Good food. Family’s all here. Glad you could make it.”

I sighed because, apparently, it was on me to bring up the Declan-sized elephant lodged firmly between us.

“I hate this.”

“What?” Sean frowned. “Being here?”

“No, this tension between us.” I kept my voice low, not wanting to wake the baby or attract attention. “The thing we haven’t talked about for weeks. I miss my friend.”

“I get that.” Briefly shutting his eyes, Sean exhaled hard. “And I’m trying to give you and Declan space. It would be really easy to lecture you both.” His tone was resigned but not without humor. “But then you’ll run away, likely together. So I’m biting my tongue. A lot.”

“I appreciate that.” I met his gaze as he opened his eyes again. “And I know I’m older.”

“Yep.” Sean gave a measured nod. “I want him happy whether it’s you, racing, whatever. But I won’t deny liking having him home, and I know that’s partly because of you, so thanks.”

“I want him happy too.” I tried to put all my sincerity into my voice. I’d give absolutely anything for Declan, and I wanted Sean to understand the depth of my feelings. “He makes me happy too. And I promise to do everything in my power to keep him happy.”

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