Page 66 of Nothing But It All
She smiles sadly. “Jack, I want us to be fine. I really do. But even admitting that out loud scares the shit out of me, because what if we get home and it all goes right back to the way it was? Will I have to start this process all over again? I don’t know that I can do that.”
Her shoulders soften.
“I promise that you won’t have to do that,” I say softly. “We’ve both made mistakes—me many more than you—but we have another four, five decades to work on it. And I don’t want to go through those without you.”
The smile she gives me is one of the most genuine ones I can remember in a long time. “Can you—”
“Hey, guys,” Michael says, blasting through the door. His smile is stretched from ear to ear. “I see you made it back.”
Damn it, Michael.
“When we get home, you’re grounded,” Lauren says, although she’s smiling too.
Michael laughs. “Cool. We’ll sit around the table, all four of us, and eat cake. It’ll be great.”
I catch Lauren’s gaze.Maybe things will be okay.
“Whoa, Mom—what happened to your foot? Are you okay?” Michael asks.
Lauren places her foot back on the pillows. “It’s much better than it appears. Your father is making me prop it up.”
Her small smile sends a fire blazing in my chest.God, I love her.
“Okay, so,” Michael says, “Ava’s family has invited me for dinner.”
“Again?” Lauren asks. “Michael, you’re going to wear out your welcome.”
“They love me. They think I’m handsome and charming—and I help do the dishes.”
Lauren’s brows tug together. “Are you sure?”
“Don’t ruin this for me, Mom.Please.”
“Ruin what?”
“This thing with Ava.” He sighs happily. “She’s ... special, Mom.”
“Tell me you brought condoms,” I say, point blank. There’s no point in dancing around the bush. I was seventeen once, and I know that look in his eye.
“Jack!”
I shrug. “He’s seventeen, Lo.”
“And she’shot,” Michael says.
Lauren’s head hits the couch cushion, and she covers her face with her hands.
“Mom, listen—she likes to bake. She rides horses. She knows what a double-leg takedown is.” He beams. “And you’ll love this—she’s taking advanced chemistry next year. Like, there’s nothing to not love about her.”
“Just be smart,” I say, trying to buy Lauren a minute to get her wits about her. “You’re only going to be here for two weeks. Don’t lead her on. Don’t make promises you can’t keep. Treat her with respect.”
Michael flinches. “Of course, Dad.”
“If you want to talk about this without your mother around—”
“Why can’t I be around?” Lauren asks, sitting up.
Michael snickers. “Do you really want to hear ...things, Mom?”
