Page 65 of True Blue

I shake my head, pulling back. Gwen stands in my periphery, clutching her hands in front of her mouth and silently crying as she watches us. “How much do you know?” I ask, looking at her and Uncle Jack before turning to glance at Lay and Axel. Axel leans against the back of the couch, smiling warmly at the two of us while Layla leans against his side with a similar expression.

“They told us why you needed to come stay.” I turn back as Uncle Jack speaks. “When Sandra left with you, I figured she just needed time, but to hear that she’s still running from who she was…” He shakes his head, taking his glasses off to rub his eyes one handed. “I should have tried reaching out to her more.”

I shake my head. “She wouldn’t have responded. Probably would have blocked the calls or messages. She doesn’t talk about anything Maine, anything Dad. I was surprised she even let me apply to the Coast when I brought up the idea.”

He nods, a guilty look behind the smile he flashes. “Are you hungry? I was just prepping for tomorrow, but we have plenty to eat. Come on.” He waves me toward the stairs, starting to walk ahead. “Axel put her stuff in the guest room.” I look back at Axel, but he nods toward the stairs.

“I’ll be down in a sec, go on.” He heads toward the hallway leading to the bedrooms, and Layla hooks her arm in mine, towing me toward the stairs.

We eat some cheese and crackers, snacking while Layla preps her cobbler around Uncle Jack who asks me a million questions. Gwen makes mugs of rich hot chocolate and adds a bunch of marshmallows, just like her mom always did and I smile, answering everything asked.

“How are you liking school?”

“It’s fine.”

“How are you doing in your classes?”

“Good so far. Three As, an A-, and one B on my midterms.”

“What’s your major?”

“History. I want to go on after my undergrad to the fellowship program and get my master’s and then PhD with the six-year track.”

“Just like Levi and I did. So, you want to teach at a university someday?”

“Yeah.”

“Does your mom know that’s what you’re going to school for?”

“No, she didn’t really ask about school once she paid the application fee.”

He nods quietly to that, cutting up some carrots and tossing them into a bowl. “My parents and Tatiana’s mom and sister will be coming tomorrow. I hope you don’t mind?”

“Of course not,” I say quickly, putting my mug down after a fast sip. “I’m the one intruding here. You don’t have to make any adjustments to accommodate me.”

“You’re not intruding,” Axel says, squeezing the hand he holds between us on top of the table.

“Axel’s right,” Uncle Jack says, pointing his knife at me over the countertop. “You are welcome here whenever you need. Thatinvitation will never be rescinded.” I smile, my heart warming at the words to match my hot chocolate filled stomach. “So, you and Axel?” He waves the knife at our joined hands before going back to chopping. “Can’t say I’m surprised. Axel did always seem to follow you around when you were kids. Always wanted to share his toys with you. And he hated sharing otherwise.” Layla snorts at his wording, covering it up with a coughing fit when Axel narrows his eyes at her. Uncle Jack pats her back with the hand not holding the knife.

“Okay, Dad.” Axel stands, collecting my empty mug with his. “I think Janette’s probably tired from all her travel. We should let her go to sleep, so she’s not exhausted for the circus tomorrow.”

“Of course. Sorry if we kept you up, sweetie. Go sleep. We’ll talk more tomorrow.” He ushers us toward the stairs, taking the mugs from Axel as we walk past.

Axel takes my hand and drags me toward the hall when we make it to the second floor. “Dad was very adamant about you sleeping in the guest room, but since that’s right next to my room, I figured I could sneak in later if you want?”

“Axel!” I hiss, whispering, “I am not having sex with you in a room that shares a wall with Uncle Jack’s!” We turn into the guest room, and I drop his hand to go to my duffel sitting on the nicely made bed.

Axel’s arms come around me from behind. “I just meant so I could hold you while we sleep. I don’t want to leave you alone tonight.” He kisses the side of my head. “Unless you want to be alone right now?”

I shake my head, pulling out my cotton pajama set. “No, I don’t want to be alone. I want you here as long as we don’t get in trouble.” I turn around in his arms. “Have you heard anything from Bent? I figured I didn’t hear anything because I was on theplane, but then nothing came through when I turned my phone back on.”

Axel shakes his head, pulling his phone out to check. “No, I haven’t heard anything either.” He bites his lip before glancing at me and throwing on a fake smile. “I’m sure he just forgot because he’s so busy catching up with his parents right now.”

My stomach turns and I run a hand through the ends of my hair, picking apart a few curls. “I’m going to look up his flight and make sure it made it okay.” He nods, moving to sit down on the edge of the bed beside my bag. “Does your family know about him and us?” I say absentmindedly as I google Bentley’s flight information.

“I told Layla after she overheard me on the phone. I didn’t tell Dad or Gwen though. Seemed like too much to try to explain on top of telling them you were on your way here and why.”

I nod, finding the information I need.

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