Page 115 of War

My heart lodges itself in my throat, making it impossible for me to do anything but gape at her.

With her focus set on the rink, she smiles a little sadly. “He’s happy here. He’s finally got friends, and he’s doing well in school.” Her eyes well, but she blinks back the tears. “A good mother puts her kid first,” she says, her voice thick with emotion.

“There are a lot of ways to be a good mother,” I say softly, my own eyes misty.

“You-you’ll be a good mother to him?” she asks, a sob escaping her.

I take a step closer and squeeze her wrist. “Yes. And so will you.”

Ducking, she shakes her head. “I don’t want to interrupt his life. I just want him to be happy.”

“So let him stay with us, but don’t disappear. Show up for games, come over for dinner, work on having a relationship with him. Let him know he can rely on you. If he wants to stay with us, and you wanthim to stay with us, he will always be welcome. But if he wants to go home?—”

“His home is with Tyler.” Her voice is firm as she says it. “Tyler has been more of a parent to him in the last two years than I’ve ever been.”

Willing my heart rate to slow, I take a steadying breath. “Tyler really is wonderful, but that doesn’t take away your ability to be a mother.”

“I don’t know how to start again. I don’t think Brayden will ever forgive me. My husband died, and I just—” She shrugs one shoulder and lets it drop, her whole body deflating.

“Grief changes people. It breaks people.” I offer her a weak smile. “I get it.”

“But Brayden shouldn’t have to.”

She’s not wrong, but there’s no changing what’s already been done. “Do you like pizza?”

Her brows knit together. “Huh?”

“Pizza? Do you like it?”

Head tilted, she scrutinizes me, obviously confused. “Yeah.”

“We have pizza on Friday nights. Come over and have dinner with us.”

With a hum, she gives me a once-over. “He was right about you, ya know?”

“Who?”

“Tyler. He said you’re special.”

Heat floods my cheeks. “Yeah, he’s pretty special too. So will you come?”

FORTY-FOUR

TYLER

In the standson the other side of the rink, Ava pulls Trisha into her arms. My heart stutters at the sight. Of course my fucking wife would befriend Brayden’s mom. That’s the person she is.

When I first spotted Trisha talking to Ava, my stomach twisted itself into painful knots. Trish mentioned that she might come today, but I didn’t tell Bray, for fear of getting his hopes up, only for them to be dashed. She looks good, though. Better than I’ve ever seen her. I just hope she stays this way.

We had a long talk this week, and when she asked if Brayden could stay with me, I jumped at the opportunity, promising that he could stay for as long as she’ll let him. I didn’t expect her to suggest that he remain with me until he graduates, but I can’t deny it’s what’s best for him. Thankfully she knows it too.

Making it through high school can be incredibly difficult for even the most well-adjusted kids. Brayden deserves to feel settled and to know that he can rely on us. One day, I hope Trish can do that for him too, but if she’s offering to allow me to be that person, I won’t turn it down.

I don’t have to ask to know that Ava will feel the same.

Now we just need to make sure Bray’s on the same page.

My wife is understandably quiet when we’re finally setting thetable for dinner after the game. We’ve yet to get to talk about her chat with Trisha since the kids have been around, but while the kids are distracted, I corner her. Pushing her up against the kitchen counter, I glide my hands through her hair, tugging like I always do, until her eyes are on me. “Hi, wifey.”

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