Page 49 of Wake Me Up
“Well, we’d better get going,” I say, keeping my arm around Aviana. “Everyone say thank you to Tripp.”
My kids, Helen, and Richard all thank him at the same time, and he holds his hand up in a relaxed wave. Our eyes meet once more, and his twinkle slightly as the corner of his mouth subtly lifts. Just nights ago, we were sending each other filthy messages. Now, we’re forced to stand here and act like everything is normal and that we’re just friends.
I turn around, bringing Aviana along with me while we exit the stadium.
The entire time, I feel his stare right on my ass.
One thing I love about my in-laws coming to visit is that my father-in-law takes the kids to school so that I don’t have to. They could ride the bus, sure. But they’d be the first ones on, and they’d have to be out at the end of the driveway so early, and I feel too bad to make them do that.
Gramp gave me the day off to visit with Helen and Richard, and since I didn’t have to get dressed to drive them to school, here I sit with my cup of coffee, at the kitchen counter in a peaceful, quiet house.
That is, until Helen comes into the kitchen. And one thing about my mother-in-law? She isalwaysdown to chat.
“Good morning,” she says sweetly, walking straight to the cupboard and getting a coffee cup.
“Morning. I hope you slept okay.”
I watch her stop in front of the coffeepot and pour herself a cup. The steam rolls from the top as she rounds the counter, taking a seat next to me.
“I did. After all the traveling yesterday and the excitement of the game, I was out like a light.” She brings the coffee to her mouth, taking a sip. “Oh … that’s good.”
“It’s black coffee, you sicko,” I say, teasing her because I always do.
She and my dad love black coffee, and I’m always giving them a hard time about it because … there are thousands of delicious coffee creamers. Why would anyone feel the need to drink their coffee black?
“Just the way I like it,” she singsongs, knocking her shoulder lightly into mine. “By the way … speaking of things I like, at the top of the list is that handsome goalie who’s been so good to the boys lately.”
My body must tense up—and if it doesn’t, it’s a miracle. This is my husband’s mother calling a man handsome … the same man I watched on my phone screen stroking his extremely large dick in his hand. Not to mention that I rode his leg like a horny teenager.
“He’s been really good to the boys, for sure,” I squeak. Taking a sip of my coffee, I quickly swallow. “Sorry, my throat’s just scratchy.”
I don’t turn to face her, but I feel her eyes on the side of my head. She’s homing in on me—I know it. She’s feeling out if there’s something going on with me and the handsome goalie.
“He seems pretty fond of you too, you know,” she utters, and my eyes peek at her to find her looking at me over her cup. “I didn’t miss the way his eyes lingered on you a bit, Frey.”
“Pfft … yeah, right,” I say nervously, rolling my eyes. “He’s just a nice guy—that’s all.”
I gulp the last bit of my coffee down and step down from the stool. Rinsing my mug out, I hope she’ll drop this conversation, but I know her better than that.
“You know, we always knew the day would come when another man would sweep you off your feet.” Her voice is more somber now, and each word is considered before she says it. “To be honest, I think we thought it wouldn’t take five whole years, but we knew it would happen on your own time.”
Slowly, I reach for the water lever and turn the sink off. I lean forward, pulling in a deep breath before I turn to face her. “That’s silly, Helen. You know I can’t be swept off my feet.” I sniffle, a lonesome tear rolling down my cheek. “I had your son for that.”
“But my son is gone, baby,” she whispers. “And you’re here. So young with so much life left to live.”
Getting down from the stool, she walks toward me and puts her hands on my shoulders. Her head dips a little closer, and she smiles as tears fill her eyes. “We’ve been visiting you at least a few times a year since Jamie died. This, my dear, is the first trip where I’ve seen you smile the way that you have.” She cups my cheeks, forcing me to look her in the eyes. “My son would give anything to be here with you, I know. But he can’t be. And since I’m his mom, I can say this without a shadow of a doubt …” She pauses, big tears glossing over her eyes. “He would want you to have another chance at love, Freya. He wouldn’t want you to spend your whole life all alone.”
“I’m not all alone,” I choke out. “I have the kids. I havehiskids.”
“You do; you’re right.” She nods. “But one day … they’ll be grown. You don’t deserve to be all alone when that happens, Freya. I know you and Jamie would have spent your whole lives together, and that got robbed from you both. Don’t rob yourself of loving again. You’ve got too much love in that big ol’ heart of yours for that.”
I’m bawling my eyes out now, snotty and sniffling like a child because her words are hitting me deep. Everyone I thought I’d be letting down if I moved on is telling me it’s okay if I do.
“I just don’t think I can lose another person, Helen,” I whisper into her shoulder when she hugs me against her. “I don’t think I’d survive it.”
“My sweet girl, I know you’re scared, but that’s no way to go through life.” She squeezes me tightly in her arms. “Let yourself have this. I promise … he would want you to.”
Her words turn me into a hysterical mess. So, for God knows how long … she holds me, and I cry against her. I don’t bother telling her the truth—that we’re married for insurance reasons—because I don’t want to put her in a position to have to lie for me if we ever got into trouble.
