Page 34 of (Un)Spoken

Her eyes opened wide. “I love apples!”

“Where we live, there are amazing orchards. They let you pick all the apples you want. They also have pumpkins and hayrides.”

“Really?” she asked, her eyes getting bigger with each passing breath.

“Oh yeah, fall is a big deal in our town. There’s even a really cool festival with apple and pumpkin-flavored treats, pony rides, and games.”

“Oh my gosh,” she muttered, placing her hands on her cheeks. “I can’t believe it. Mommy, wehaveto go.”

“We’ll see,” I said, narrowing my gaze at Adam. “We have some things to talk about first.”

She sighed a huff but then went back to playing, talking to her dolls about everything Adam had just said. I looked at my brother. “I…I don’t know. It’s not like we can just take off. We have a life here.” I glanced at Emilia again. “I need to think about it.”

He nodded, smiling at me. “Take all the time you need. I just wanted to give you the option. You’re always welcome with us.”

My heart galloped in my chest, wanting nothing more than to scream yes. And maybe if it was just me, I wouldhave, no questions asked. The idea of going back to the town that had embraced me and made me feel like myself again was more than I could ever ask for. I’d get to spend more time with Cole, Alex, and especially Adam. The idea of giving us some time to get to know each other better made my cheeks flush, wishing we were already there. But the truth was, it wasn’t only me. It hadn’t been for a long time.

Excuses had already formed in my mind when Cam tapped my elbow, motioning toward the front door. “Come on, Vic. Let’s get some air.”

I nodded, getting up to join him. But as he placed his hand on my back, I couldn’t help but turn over my shoulder to meet Adam’s eyes, noting how they were glued to where Cam was touching me.

That should have been a red flag, should have been a hint I might be in over my head with him. But instead, it filled me with a warmth I’d never experienced before.

“I think you should go.”

Cam’s words almost knocked the wind out of me. We walked through the fields behind the house, checking each of the flower beds as we went. This was my small contribution to the lot, wanting to do something to make it feel more like ours. The cabin was designed for ranch hands, with no frills and no fuss. We’d managed to make it a little cozier, but it was small, even for just the two of us. At least out here, we had room to run and play all day. And color.

My little girl loved to color over every surface, but I never felt bold enough to paint the walls inside. As much as I appreciated that Cam’s parents let me stay here, this would always be their property, their home. But out here, Iwas able to grow wildflowers and other plants, letting them thrive and grow strong. Hues of pink, purple, and yellow filled my sight, making me smile. This was my way of giving her the colors she craved.

“Don’t look so shocked,” Cameron laughed. “Cole’s right. And as much as it’ll suck not to have you guys so close, I’m barely going to be home. Hadley’s already on her way back to school, and your classes are all online. Besides Emilia, what’s keeping you here?”

My mouth tensed at his words. I knew he meant it to be encouraging, but it also highlighted how shallow my life had become. Was that really all I had tying me to this town?

I thought back to Saint Stephen’s Lake and how full my days were. I’d spend my days with Cole and Alex, stopping by for lunch and little trips into town. Adam was also constantly by my side, pushing me and helping guide me into this new chapter of my relationship with Cole. It was strange; for so long, I’d felt like an afterthought. With Cam’s family, I was usually the plus one, welcomed but more so because Emilia was by my side. I hadn’t made any new friends since I left college, and the people I’d met at the playground or in town were more interested in playdates and free childcare than getting to know me. So, knowing I had people who wanted to spend time with me, as just me, made me feel special in a way I hadn’t in years.

Obviously, it would be different if I decided to return with Emilia, but a small smile filled my face at the thought.

“You know I’ll never tell you what to do, Vic,” Cam sighed. “But next year, Emilia’s going to be starting school, and who knows where we’ll be. Take the chance while you have it.”

Be brave.

Adam’s voice sent a chill down my spine, rememberingthe last time he whispered those words to me. As much as I hated to admit it, they were right. Would it really be the worst thing to take Emilia to New York and let her experience life outside of this tiny town?

And not to mention, it would allow me to explore this newfound connection with Adam. The idea of spending more time with him made my skin flush, and I hated how desperate I already felt for his touch. As much as I knew I loved Cam once, I’d never craved him like I did Adam. There was this need to be close to him, as if I couldn’t stand any space between us at all. It made no sense, not after only a few days back in each other’s orbit. But standing near him felt like my world was spinning even faster, and I wanted to be brave enough to face it with him.

Silently, Cam and I walked back into the house, giving each other one last look before I turned back to Adam and Cole. With a shy smile, I said, “I’m in.”

TWENTY

“Shit, do you think we should replace this couch?” Cole ran his hand over his face. “I don’t know if she’s going to like this. Maybe we should have gotten a sleeper?”

I chuckled as I leaned against the wall, watching my friend as he spun out for the fifth time today. For the two weeks since we’d returned from Texas, Alex and Cole had been working overtime to transform the loft above the main lodge into an apartment for Victoria and Emilia. Although Tori was cool with staying in the same cabin and sharing a bed with her daughter, Cole insisted on creating a space just for them. The loft had been sitting empty since they bought the place. It was initially designed for a groundskeeper or manager, but with Alex and Cole’s house so close, they never felt the need to use it. I smiled; maybe it had been waiting for Victoria and Emilia all this time.

But because it had been empty for almost a decade, it needed a lot of work before anyone could live here. When they began, the walls were covered with warped wood panels, and everything else was a muted shade of mustard.Spiders the size of my hand had turned the bathroom into their personal paradise. But over the past two weeks, they’d made it into a home.

The living room felt light and airy, borrowing from their favorite elements of each of the cabins. The walls were painted white, with wooden and black accents. The kitchen had been updated with sleek light gray cabinets and a Beachwood island in the middle.

But the show stoppers were the bedrooms, especially the smaller one on the right-hand side. I took exceptional pride in the room we’d created for Emilia, with shades of purple covering every surface. Alex had asked some of the moms in town and gotten her replicas of some of her favorite toys back home, including a small table for her to host many tea parties. A slow smile crept over my lips at the thought, oddly hopeful I’d receive another invitation.

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