Page 107 of Other Side Of Never
His head snapped around to face me.“For real?”
I nodded.“For real.”
His face crumpled as a single, swollen tear edged down his cheek.He whispered, “I wanted to leave, the night I told my mom, I wanted to run.I felt so bad for disappointing her.”
“Of course, you did,” I soothed.
“I wasn’t thinking about Nadine or the baby at all.Every time I see him, I remember that moment and I remember he’s part of me.”
I opened my mouth to speak, but he raised his glossy eyes to meet mine.“There are still days I want to run.”
“I get it, Aaron.I understand.”I nodded for him to continue.
“I’d never forgive myself.”
Moving closer, I took his hand in both of mine.“Sweetheart, you’ll never have to.The very fact you’re this concerned tells me you couldn’t do it if you tried.”
His Adam’s Apple bobbed in his throat.
I squeezed his hand and confessed, “We owe you an apology.”
His eyebrows shot up.“What for?”
Pulling him into my arms, I held him close.God!Did we ever owe him an apology!After a moment, he circled his arms around my back.
“Because we were so busy looking after Nadine, we failed to check in with you.It won’t happen again.I promise, we’ll be there for you.No matter where I am, I’ll be there for you.”
His body shuddered, once, and then he drew back.
Taking a deep breath, he offered me a shaky smile exactly like his dad’s.“You think I should give him a chance?”
“I think you’ll miss out if you don’t.”
By the time he left, I had only fifteen minutes to get ready.On the tightrope of emotional stability, I was hanging by a fingernail.
When my cell rang, I let out a frustrated moan and picked it up to see Kian’s name.“Hey!Everything okay?”
“I have to cancel tonight, sweetheart.”
I held my breath, a fragile hope blossoming in my chest.“Why?”
“Aaron called.He wants to talk to me.”He blew out a shaky breath then laughed.“I’m nervous.”
I laughed as happiness bubbled up inside me.“It’ll be okay, Kian.He’s ready now.Just offer him your self.That’s all you can do.”
“I’ll call you, okay, baby?As soon as he leaves, I’ll call you.”
“Do you want me to pick up Isaiah?”
“I kind of want to just keep everybody close right now but thank you.”
His words sliced through my delusions like a sharp knife.
I swallowed hard.
Despite his declarations of love, this was a good reminder.
I smiled through the pain.“Good luck, baby.”
