Page 32 of Falling Together

This was a lot for Blair to take in, and she wasn’t sure what to say. She knew nothing she could say would make things better, but she wanted to saysomething.“Well, since I know he didn’tactuallyleave because of you, do you know why he did?”

Erin gritted her teeth as she stared straight ahead. “He was having an affair. It apparently started right after I was born, and he left when his other woman got pregnant. He essentially exchanged his old family for a newer model. I only know that because I overheard my mom talking about it with one of her friends when she didn’t think I was around. He paid child support and would send a birthday card to me every year. He never wrote anything in it. Just signedDadand threw in a hundred-dollar bill, like that somehow made up for him not being in my life. That’s why I told Bianca, my ex, that I didn’t want anything from her when she left, not even child support. If she doesn’t want to be part of Nolan’s life, I want her completely out of it in every way.”

Blair took a breath and blew it out. This was some deep shit, and nothing she said in response would make it better, but she also didn’t want to make it worse. She stopped walking and turned to look at Erin. “I wish I knew what to say to all of that, but I know I can’t make it better or change the effect it has on you. What I can tell you is even though I’ve only known you a month, I couldn’t imagine ever walking away from you.”Shit. That might’ve been a bit much.“I mean, I know I’m just the babysitter and that doesn’t hold much weight, but I think you’re pretty awesome.”

Erin stared at Blair for a long time, her mouth opening and closing multiple times as if she couldn’t think of what to say in response. The fourth time she snapped it shut, she squeezed her eyes closed as well. A few seconds later, tears started to stream down her face.

“Shit.” Unsure what to do, Blair wrapped Erin in an awkward loose hug and patted her on the back as if she was Nolan. “I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

Much to her surprise, Erin held her tight and cried onto her shoulder.

“Shh, it’s okay,” Blair said softly. “Let it out. Everything is okay. I’m here. I’ve got you.”

Blair wasn’t sure how much time passed, but eventually, Erin pulled away and promptly wiped her eyes on her shirt as if she thought that would erase the past few minutes. “I’m so sorry about that. I think I’ve held it in for so long that it all just came flooding out at once. I try to be so strong for Nolan, and because of that, I haven’t really given myself a chance to feel. I shouldn’t have put that all on you though. It’s not fair.”

Blair reached out her hand and rubbed Erin’s arm. “Hey, I asked, didn’t I? I’m just sorry if I said something wrong.”

Erin shook her head. “You didn’t. It was the opposite, actually. I can’t remember the last time someone said something so sweet to me.”

Something so sweet?All Blair had done was tell her the truth. “If that’s truly the case, then I’m sorry more people in your life aren’t telling you how amazing you are. You’re like superwoman, and you deserve to be reminded of that every day.”

Erin chuckled as a few more tears ran down her cheeks. “God, I’m sorry I’m such a mess. Today is supposed to be a celebration, and here I am unloading all of my baggage on you from the past thirty-two years.”

Blair waved a hand at her. “Don’t sweat it. What are we even celebrating? In case you missed it, America kind of sucks right now. I think crying today is far more logical than running around shouting’Merica!”

Erin laughed again. “You’re not wrong.”

Blair smirked. “I never am.”

If it were up to Blair, they would have spent the whole day out there, away from everyone else. Just the two of them. She didn’t want a superficial relationship with Erin. Now that she had gotten a peek into her past, she wanted to know more. She wanted to know what made her laugh and exactly how she looked when she did. She wanted to know what made her the happiest, so she could give it to her. She wanted to knowher, all of the best and the worst parts.

Unfortunately, less than a minute later, Erin pointed back toward the house. “We should probably get back to the party before my family realizes I’m missing and thinks I bailed on them.”

Blair put her hands in her pockets and rocked back and forth on the heels of her feet. She wanted to think of any excuse to keep Erin out here with her, even if that was completely selfish. “I’m sure they’re okay. My mom probably swept them up in some long-winded conversation about who knows what.”

Erin stared back at the house as if she was watching for someone. “I don’t want Nolan to get upset.”

That was all Blair needed to hear. As much as she wanted to be selfish and try to take advantage of finally having alone time with Erin, she knew someone else needed Erin more, and she would never do anything to hurt the little boy who had quickly become her favorite person in the world.

Chapter 12

Erin

“Mommy!” Nolan yelled as soon as they walked through the sliding glass doors to the pool area. He hopped out of the pool where he had been playing with his cousin and wrapped Erin in a cold, wet hug.

Her emotions were still going haywire from earlier, so she had to work hard not to cry just from his hug.What the hell is wrong with me?Erin couldn’t believe she had word vomited all over Blair just a few minutes ago. Not only that, but she had actually cried on her shoulder. Correction—sobbed. It crossed so many lines, Erin didn’t want to think about it. The problem was, she couldn’tstopthinking about it. Blair had been so perfect and said all the right things. Erin wondered how much of what Blair had said was true.

I couldn’t imagine ever walking away from you.What did she mean by that? Why did she say it? Did she just want to make Erin feel better or did she actually feel that way? It couldn’t really be how she felt, right? She was Nolan’s babysitter. She barely knew Erin, aside from everything she had let slip out today. But was Blairjusta babysitter? Because ever since those words slipped out of her mouth, Erin wanted to correct her and tell her that she was so much more than that. But if shewasmore than that, what was she? Erin shook all of this from her mind. She had too many questions, many of which would, and could, never be answered.

Nolan tugged on her hand. “Mommy! Mommy! Do you want to go in the pool?”

That’s the last thing I want to do.“Do you want me to?”

Nolan shrugged. “I don’t care. Bear does better throws.”

“Then it sounds like I better get in with you, huh?” Blair said, before flashing Erin a wide grin that made her heart race in ways it shouldn’t. “Is that okay, Mommy?”

“Go for it. I’d rather stay dry anyway.”

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