Page 42 of Bring Me Back
The smallest tasks take all the energy I’ve got to give lately. But I know it will get better a little bit at a time. My friends have been over in shifts, at least one of them every day. It’s nearly unheard of to find a support system like the one I’ve got, but I’m beyond grateful for it.
“Sit. Now.” Willow commands, and I obey, taking a seat at the counter so I can watch her cooking breakfast.
My mom’s ring sparkles on her finger, and I’m amazed for the hundredth time that she actually agreed to spend the rest of her life with me. This life won’t be without its challenges, that’s for sure. A week after I left the hospital, Willow planned Cooper’s funeral. I told her he wasn’t worth the effort and energy she was putting into it. She told me he wasn’t, but Jaxon was.
The service was short and sweet. It was obvious from the awkward silence that no one really wanted to be there. Most of his club came, but they didn’t dare speak to Willow or Jaxon. Not with our entire family standing at their backs. Dex limped over to Willow after the service and apologized again. A few of the men joined him, including Slade. They told her Cooper had been lying to the club for years about everything that happened between them. It did nothing to ease her pain or resentment, but it felt like it was the closure she needed for her old life. I told her I understood if she preferred to go back to using the name Lily.After all, it was the name her parents gave her. But she wanted to let the name die with Cooper, and I get that too.
“Mom, I can’t figure out this fucking tie,” Jaxon says, making his way down the stairs.
“Language, Jax. Come on. Just because you’re all grown up now doesn’t mean you get to start talking however you want in front of your mom.” She scolds, and I wave him over to me.
“Sorry, Mama. I just hate wearing a fucking tie,” he mumbles the last part, and I laugh.
“Should’ve just invested in a clip-on.” I joke, but he nods.
I twist the fabric, sliding it around itself until I’ve created the perfect Windsor knot in his black tie. He opted for a black button-down, black tie, black dress pants, and dress shoes for today. It takes everything in me not to play Welcome to the Black Parade as he walks around the island to hug his mom.
“This is supposed to be a happy day, Jax.” I tease, but he just shrugs.
“I’m happy. I’m even wearing my favorite color,” he smirks, snagging a piece of bacon off the plate next to the stove.
“That’s enough out of you two. Do you have everything? You need to leave soon so you’re not late.” Willow says, and he nods.
“Just gotta grab my cap and gown, and I’ll be good togo.” He says, finishing off her cup of coffee. “I’d probably get there faster if I could take the Ninja.”
He looks everywhere but my face, and I laugh out loud. This is a textbookDad, can I borrow the car? moment and honestly I’m too giddy over the fact that this is my life to tell him no.
“Keys are in the garage. Don’t even think about going over 50 miles an hour. Speed limit is 35 all the way to the high school, Jaxon,” I say, sounding exactly like my father.
Willow grimaces, but she doesn’t stop him.
“Be careful,” she says as he kisses her cheek. He just nods, grabbing his backpack from the couch and walking out the garage door.
“You’re an enabler,” she tells me, and I shrug. She’s right, I am.
“You gonna help me with my tie?” I smirk, and she just rolls her eyes.
Two hours later, we’re gathered in the stands with all our friends. Eli and Ember each hold one of their kids as they trade snacks back and forth. Rory and Breaker whisper quietly to each other as Breaker strokes their son’s back in the baby carrier he wears. Everett and Kelsea laugh with my parents while my mom bounces their daughter in her arms. Magnolia comes runningdown the metal bleachers while Iris strolls casually behind her. His shit-eating grin tells me exactly why they’re late. I envy him. I’d give anything to be inside Willow for the first time in eons. But she won’t touch me until the doctor tells her it’s safe, and they have yet to do so.
“I’m so sorry we’re late! I couldn’t find my shoes, and Iris lost his keys. We didn’t miss anything, did we?!” Magnolia says, plopping down beside Willow with a heavy sigh.
“Did he lose them in your underwear? Because I think that’s the only place he looked.” Rory says, Breaker choking on a laugh.
Magnolia turns red instantly, and Iris laughs loudly, his smirk proudly in place. As crass and unrefined as this group is, I love this family. They’ve saved my life so many times over, I’ve lost count. I couldn’t imagine having a better group of people to surround ourselves with.
“Shhhh, it’s starting!” Willow says excitedly. I can see the pride in her eyes. It mirrors my own. After everything we faced at the very end of Jaxon’s high school career, he still finished in the top 10% of his class, graduating with honors. I don’t think I’ve ever been more proud of another human being in my life than I am right now in this moment.
We suffer through the elaborate speeches from a handful of people about looking to the future andreflecting on their time in high school. Once they finally begin calling the kids individually, Everett walks down onto the football field, shaking hands with the security guard, who I recognize is a regular at Grovewood Ink. He crouches down and sneaks his way closer to the stage to take pictures from a prime angle. I glance over and Kelsea and roll my eyes.
“What? We love our boy. We need photographic evidence of this to hang on the walls in the shop.” Kelsea shrugs.
When Jaxon’s row stands, making their way to the stage, Willow grabs my hand tightly. I squeeze hers back, knowing we’ve both been looking forward to this day for years now. What started off as a simple favor for a friend, just tutoring her kid so he wouldn’t fall behind, has turned into the rest of my eternity.
“It’s almost his turn!” Ember says, everyone bouncing with excitement. Willow’s eyes fill with tears, barely holding herself together.
“There he goes! He’s next!” My dad says, snapping at least a hundred pictures. Jaxon waits at the top of the stairs for the student before him to exit the stage.
“I’m so proud of him,” I tell Willow, watching him bounce on the balls of his feet before they call his name. Willow gives me a mischievous smile before turning her attention back to the stage.
