Page 116 of The Life We Wanted

Ismiled apologetically. “Seriously, I would, but I’m leaving tomorrow, and Iwon’t be home for another couple of weeks. There’s no reason to load the fridgeup with food I won’t eat. And trust me, coming back to the stench of rottenfood isn’t something I wanna do for alongtime.”

Concedingwith a nod, she put the dish back and closed the refrigerator door. “Fairenough. Can’t blame me for trying, but that shit does look nasty when it goesbad.”

“Allthe more reason for me to leave it with you,” I laughed, heading to the sinkand turning on the faucet. “You want me to wash these now, or load up thedishwasher?”

“Um.”She hesitated as I eyed her questioningly. She didn’t want to ask for my help,but I could tell the offer was tempting the hell out of her. “If you could justrinse them off, I’ll put them in the dishwasher.”

“Or,”I opened the washer, rinsed off a dish, and slid it into the rack, “I could rinsethem offandload them in.”

“Youreally don’t have to do that,” Tabby insisted, heading over to stand beside me.

“Eh,”I shrugged, rinsing the other dishes, “it’s not a big deal.”

Then,I don’t know why, but she blurted out, “Sebastian, I’m really sorry that I hurtyou. I know I’ve said it before, but I want you to know how much I mean it.” Iturned to face her, and she knew she had my attention. “I really didn’t wantfor that to happen. I just thought you were, uh … immune to that kind ofthing.”

“Thatmakes two of us,” I said as lightheartedly as possible. “Why are you bringingthis up now?”

Crossingher arms over her chest, she leaned against the counter and let go of a ruefulsigh. “I don’t know. I guess it’s just that we had such a good time today, andI’m really happy you came, and—”

“Andyouthought it’d be awkward as fuck because we used to bone,” I offered,smirking as I dropped a fork into the utensil holder.

Themention of sex was enough to deepen the rosy glow on her cheeks, and if I knewI had the permission, I would’ve leaned down and kissed them.

Tabbylaughed airily. “Well, since you put it so eloquently … yes, I thought it’d beweird. But it’s not, and I’m honestly really surprised with how mature you areabout all of this. I didn’t think you’d ever want to talk to me again.”

Isnorted, shaking my head. “Tabby, you realize we basically have a kid together,right?”

Herbrows knitted, and her lips pinched. Worry settled into her eyes. “No, wedon’t. I mean, once you get your parental rights from the courts, you’ll havethe right to never let Greyson see—”

Aquick burst of anger ignited in the pit of my stomach as I dropped the spoon Iwas holding. “Hey,” I interjected, turning my head to flash her with astony glare. “Listen to me right now. When his mother died,youtook onthat role, never mind the fact that you’ve been a part of his entire fuckinglife. So, I don’t give a shit how you feel about me, okay? What I care about ishowyoufeel—howGreysonfeels—and there isno wayin HellI wouldevertake him away from what he has with you. So, do yourself afavor and stop thinking that bullshit.”

Herbreaths were shallow, and her fingers worked to pick away her black nail polish.I watched her until she had worked her way beyond being startled and nodded.

“O-okay,”she whispered. “Thank you.”

Iguffawed, turning back to the sink. “God, Tabby, don’t fucking thank me forthat.Ishould be the one thankingyou.”

“Why?”

“Becauseyou changed my life,” I stated simply with a nonchalant shrug.

Itwas her turn to snort. “Oh, come on—”

“Hey,I could’ve gone my entire stupid life without ever knowing I had this badasskid in the world. You didn’tneedto get me involved. I mean, I know youneeded the help at the time, but you guys would’ve been fine eventually. Youbrought me into it because deep down, underneath all that beige, you felt itwas the right thing to do. And because of that, you changed my fucking life.”

“Yeah,”she chuckled with a shake of her head. “I’m sure you’re thrilled that I helpedmake it harder for you to get laid while at home.”

Alow chuckle rumbled through my chest. There was so much irony in thatstatement. She thought it was Greyson who’d made it difficult for me to getwomen, but really? It was her.

“Iwould’ve given up all the pussy in the world to have known him sooner,” Ireplied honestly.

Becauseit would’ve meant knowing her as well.

***

Dressedin her pajamas, Tabby passed a cup of coffee into my hands before dropping downbeside me on the couch. “Anything you wanna listen to, or are you good withthis?”

Iread between the lines as an acoustic version of “Everlong” played through thespeakers. The song held meaning, memories and feelings, and with the diversionof her eyes and the tapping of her bandaged fingers against her own mug, I hadthe suspicion that it was mutual.

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