Page 48 of War

From there, the conversation shifts, and I ease back into my body and out of my mind.

Until I’m daring enough to glance at War. I don’t know what I expect to find. I’m not even sure what I want to find.

What I’m met with is a pair of cool blue eyes searching mine, as if he’s trying to read my mind, trying to determine what I think of Josie’s statement. It’s simple, but it feels like a revelation.

The man I thought was War might just have been Tyler all along. Is it possible I got it all wrong?

SEVENTEEN

AVA

The car ridehome is anything but quiet. Josie babbles on about every topic that pops into her head. Scarlett sings nonsensically to what sounds like the tune of a song fromZombies. Brayden sits in the back seat behind Tyler, smirking every time he catches him so much as shifting in my direction.

But my thoughts are louder than it all. The what-ifs, the could-it-possibly-bes, and the maybes swirl inside my head. It takes a great deal of effort to shut it all down and remind myself that I have a job to do. I’m here to be the emotional support for these kids. A parental figure to care for them while Tyler travels.

I’m basically the help.

Regardless of what Tyler and I felt for that blip in time two years ago, back before we actuallyknewone another, we aren’t living that happily ever after now. Those feelings don’t factor into this scenario.

I may recognize that he’s not who I thought he was, but that doesn’t change what we need to do now. We’ll be friends. We’ll be partners that raise his kids because that’s what’s best for everyone.

All the self-preservation I’ve been working on goes out the window when Tyler pulls into the driveway and squeezes my hand once. “Can we talk after the kids get settled?”

I nod, certain my voice wouldn’t work if I tried to speak. Behindme, Josie throws her door open, calling for me, and with a sigh, Tyler releases my hand. Then he straightens, switching into dad mode in front of me, and climbs out, heading for Scarlett.

“Did you know I start ballet this week?” Josie tells me as we follow the boys and Scarlett to the door.

“You may have mentioned it a few times,” I tease, smiling down at her. She hasn’t stopped talking about ballet since Tyler confirmed that he signed her up for classes on Christmas.

“Will you take me?” I can sense the nervousness in her voice. Like she’s still not 100 percent sure I’m staying. I wish she knew just how much everyone loves her. All the things we’re doing just so we can keep her. I never want her to worry that I’ll disappear.

“Of course. I’ll go over the schedule with Tyler tonight and make sure I know where you need to be and when.”

“Do I hear two of my favorite girls?”

Josie darts into the house at the sound of the voice, and when I step into the kitchen, catching a whiff of fresh-baked cookies, I find her wrapped up in Maria’s arms. Before I can shuck my coat, she’s got a cookie in her mouth and she’s telling Maria all about brunch and how Hannah has a potty mouth.

I choke on a laugh. “She did get better by the end.”

Josie peers up at the ceiling like she’s considering my words, then gives a nod. “True. It’s all about progress.”

Maria holds back a snort as she shuffles over to me. “Merry Christmas.”

I sink into her embrace, happy that she’s finally home. I’ve been nervous about how she’ll react to all of this, but so far, she doesn’t seem surprised.

“Did you have a good time with your family?”

She pulls back, one brow arched high. “From what I’ve been told, I doubt I had as good a time as you had here.”

Across the kitchen, Josie watches on, still chomping on a cookie, without an inkling of remorse on her face. “What? I tell Maria everything.”

I fold my arms across my chest. “And what exactly did you tell her?”

Josie shrugs, her expression serious. “The truth.”

I can’t hold back my laugh. “Well, then, guess there’s nothing left for me to tell.”

Maria rolls her eyes. “Yeah, wishful thinking there, missy. Tyler took Scarlett up for a nap, so that gives the two of us plenty of time to have a cup of tea and catch up.”

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