Page 98 of True Honey
“It’s fine, Cael was whining more than working out,” she grumbled. “What’s going on this weekend?”
“I have to go to New York and I want to take Drew with me.” I explained. Drew watched me carefully, still not remotely convinced and Cael’s stupid outburst hadn’t helped.
“I’m actually horribly offended that you called Cael to look after Auggie before me.” She barked something unintelligible at Cael who had started to laugh.
“Lapse in judgement,” I said softly, “Friday evening to Sunday evening?”
“Arlo’s going to be so grouchy about this,” Cael finally piped up.
“Luckily Arlo’s not the boss,” Ella said sweetly, “of course that’s okay. If it makes Drew feel better we can call every night.”
“I’ll also be around,” the voice was a surprise to my ears.
“Ryan?” I questioned, “why the hell are you there?”
“I took Cael for breakfast,” he said, sensing my hesitation when I didn’t respond right away he continued, “I’ll check in on them this weekend. Make sure everyone still has their heads and all ten fingers.”
It spoke volumes that he was willing to go up to the Nest to keep an eye on them. I could tell that it also soothed Drew’s rampant worry, her anxiety taking control as she picked at her nails and kept her eyes on the pillow. She was doing a terrible job at hiding her concern.
"Oh actually I have this funny looking mole just under my nut—"
"Cael keep your pants on," Ella snapped and I heard Cael laughing in the background as she scolded him.
“Thank you, Ryan.” I cleared my throat, “that would be wonderful.”
I flicked my finger under her chin to force her to look at me. I knew leaving would be hard for her, she’d clearly never been away from August for long but we both needed a second to just be together without hiding it. I needed a chance to prove to her that I wasn’t faking, no joking, that I wanted this, I wanted her.
That I needed her.
“Okay,” she whispered, barely audible but it was the best sound she could have made.
All I had to do was keep reminding her that it was good.
We were good.
“I still feel like I’m forgetting something.” Drew looked over her shoulder into the backseat of the SUV and scowled. She had been more distant than usual all week and I had just been counting down the days until I got her alone. I knew she was fussing over her own thoughts again because her nails were bitten to the bed of her fingers and she was unable to sit still for more than thirty seconds. She had pulled her hair up, let it down, and pulled it back up again all before I pulled out of the city.
“You aren’t, you triple checked before we even left the Nest.” I took her wrist gently and pulled her hand into my lap. I pressed my palm flat against hers and inhaled slowly, begging her to follow suit.Calm down. Breathe.
About half an hour later, it comes out. “It’s August, I’m forgetting, Auggie.”
My heart squeezed painfully in my chest as she figured it out.
“I shouldn’t have left him there alone,” she said, staring out the window.
“He’s not alone,” I reminded her. “He’s at home. He’s with the people I trust the most.”
“And here I am running away from him to have a relaxing weekend away with my secret boyfriend…” She huffed under her breath. “I think this qualifies me for the worst mom of the year award.”
I chuckled, “you’ve never been a bad mom, Drew. I don’t think you’d be capable of that.”
“It’s not funny Silas! He knows I left him,” her voice strained. “And he knows I left him for you.”
“There was no leaving,” I said, trying to reassure her. “We’re returning. And I’m going to quote your son here, but… He’s thirteen.” That got a small smile from her, a lazy one that I’d never seen before but definitely wanted to see more often. “If anything he’s babysitting Cael, and they’re both completely distracted. I set up the telescope for them before we left.”
“You did?” Drew looked up from her lap at me.
“I promised him I would,” I said and felt the air shift as another suffocating knot loosened in the rope wrapped around the box that she kept her trust in. She didn’t say anything else but her shoulders relaxed a little. “I told him we’d bring him back some books so before we leave we have to stop at a store.”
