Page 115 of The Problem with Falling
“About five months ago when I hit my growth spurt.”
I chuckled and rubbed his head with my fist before shoving him away playfully. “I’m actually pretty bummed you’re not my kid.”
“Yeah. You would’ve been an okay dad.” He rocked in his chair slightly. “I’m sorry my mom hurt you.”
“What do you mean? I never said she hurt me.”
“I know, but you aren’t the type of person who has to say things, Theo. Everything you feel kind of shows up in your eyes.” He paused his rocking. “What was different? Between how you loved my mom versus Willow?”
“I loved your mother for how she made me feel seen. I love Willow for who she is. My love for Willow has nothing to do with me. It’s everything she is, with or without me in the equation.”
Jensen smiled. “You said love. Not loved. You still love her, huh?”
“Unfortunately.”
“So…don’t be a little bitch. Go get your hummingbird.”
I didn’t reply, but I doubted Jensen expected me to say anything. He knew how hardheaded I could be about issues. Same with Grandma.
We rocked in the chairs for a while and watched as the sun began to set over the lakefront.
“Hey, Theo?”
“Yeah, kid?”
“Do you think it’s okay if sometimes I pretend you’re my dad when I’m having bad days?”
I patted his shoulder. “Always.”
I meant that, too.
Always.
After Jensen left, I went inside and stared at the letter Willow had left me. It sat unopened on my dining room table. It took me a solid thirty minutes before I built up enough courage to open it, and when I did, it instantly pissed me off.
“What the fuck is this?” I blurted out, rereading her words.
Leave it to Weeping Willow to somehow piss me off, even from a distance.
CHAPTER 40
Willow
I’d been staying at Avery and Nathan’s house for the past few weeks, helping them take care of the twins. During breaks of not washing dishes, cooking meals, and holding the two most adorable babies ever, I’d pull out a road map to plot out my next adventure. Arizona was probably nice in the wintertime. It had been a while since Big Bird and I took a solid road trip. Yet planning the trip didn’t seem as thrilling as before. It all felt a little…empty.
As I rocked baby Riley in my arms, Nathan popped his head into the nursery. “Hey, Willow?”
“Yeah?”
“Someone’s at the door for you.”
“For me?”
“Yup. I can take Riley for you. I should probably get her a bottle going, too.” Nathan took Riley into his arms and stared at her like she was the greatest gift he’d ever received. He stared atSterling the same way. Watching him and Avery become parents felt like such a treasure to witness. They kept going on and on about how grateful they were that I stayed around to help them out, but truthfully, I was thankful to have their new bundles of joy to distract me from my own thoughts.
My thoughts that only revolved around Theo and how much I missed him.
I walked through the house and then stepped out onto the front porch. I arched an eyebrow, and my heart started beating faster when I saw who stood there. “Theo, what are you—”
