Page 71 of Down & Dirty

I huffed, trying to decide whether I wanted to argue with her on that. Coming up with evidence to prove her wrong might have been a challenge.

“What about Mack? If you were the middle child, raising hell. And Beau was the sweet one, breaking hearts. Where did that leave him?”

“You shrinking the Ellis boys, Skylar?”

“No. I’m just curious. I’ll go first. As the oldest, I was way too serious as a kid and Ronnie rebelled because he thought my parents expected the same from him.”

“Mack was more like you. He took on the weight of the world.”

“Your parents must have been relieved to have at least one of you acting responsibly.”

My breath caught as a weight landed hard and mean on my chest. I knew this conversation was coming. But I’d been avoiding it. Going to great lengths to avoid it, in fact. But I guessed I was out of runway.

“It was just my dad, really. My mom passed when I was a kid.”

Without looking over I felt Sky stiffen. I braced myself for her questions. It was better to get them out now before we got to the house.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

“I know, it’s okay. It was a long time ago.”

I was pretty sure no one would think my mother’s death was okay, least of all someone as caring as Skylar. But I bolstered myself to tell her about it. In the twenty-six years since she’d died, I’d spoken to less than five people about what happened that day. But adding Sky to that list felt different. Like somewhere between my explanation and her hearing it, something might happen. Maybe even something good.

Her hand landed on my shoulder, and I hated that there was no way I could hide the tension there. I exhaled, trying to relax, but it didn’t work. I waited for her to say something, but instead, she squeezed the tight ridge, moving her hand up along the side of my neck, kneading and rubbing until her fingers met my hair. In light lines, slow and soothing, she dragged her nails along my scalp. I had to clench my teeth to keep from moaning out loud. It felt so damn good.

She did that for a long time. No questions, no curiosity, no prodding. Just a kind and gentle touch that started to unwind some of the stiffness, despite the emotion hanging between us.

When her ministrations slowed, I reached over my shoulder for her hand. I brought it to my lips and kissed the back of it, letting my lips linger on her soft skin.

“Thank you.”

I didn’t let her hand go, but settled it into mine on my lap, and she didn’t pull away.

“You don’t have to thank me.”

A flicker in my chest, like a twitch or spasm, stole my breath again.What was this thing between us? Why did she make me feel like this? Did I make her feel the same?

I wanted to ask her. I was starting to think Ineededthat answer. But now was not the time. I turned down the main drag and Skylar’s attention shifted to the idyllic town I’d once called my home. Her eyes sparkled as a smile lit up her face.

“Welcome to Holden Cove,” I said, my gaze darting between her and the road. We passed Manny’s Hardware Store and the florist, wreaths and pine boughs already on display. Then the tiny pottery studio with a back door that led into the Muddy Grounds coffee shop, if you knew it was there. The magazine cart was on the corner in front of the barber shop, a bucket of orange and yellow bouquets on one side.

Just past a small playground, lined with soft mulch and bordered by swing sets, I slowed. “I need to make a quick stop for some wine,” I said, pulling headfirst into a spot in front of Ernie’s Diner. “Liquor shop is just up the block.”

Ernie’s 1950s style décor was a little less polished thanks to the first few slushy days, but Skylar’s gaze was so bright I knew she didn’t see any of the dinginess I did.

“This town is so cute.”

“It’s got its perks, I guess.”

I watched her, swiveling to take in the length of the street in both directions. I followed her eyeline, trying to imagine what it all looked like from her perspective. New and fresh and maybe even welcoming. It must have been that way once for me too. But that was before my mom’s death, and after that, all I ever saw was that she was gone.

“Can we get a milkshake?” Sky asked, pointing to the window where the flavors were painted in bright red.

I hesitated at first, but her enthusiasm was hard to resist. “Sure, why not?”

She bounced out of her side of the car with a grin so wide she looked like a kid about to get hopped up on sugar. “I’ve never had one at a retro diner. Do they have beehive hairdos and call everyone ‘hun?’”

I took her hand as we walked in, letting her excitement at something so small and silly help wash away the emotions this place dragged up. Not just this diner, but the whole town. It was hard to let go of my memories here, but with Skylar tucked into my side, I thought I might have a chance.

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