Page 11 of Resilient Rhythms
My therapist didn’t come out and say I was delusional the way I thought he would. The way a part of me hoped he would. He didn’t shut me down although he did advise me to tread carefully.
So, I slipped outside, purchased flowers, and am now waiting to see how Mckenna receives me.
Having her smile at me changed everything.
God, she looks beautiful. Breathtaking. But I already knew that.
The part that haunts me is the sadness that ringed her irises when they found mine. All these weeks and my girl is still twistedup over us. I had hoped by removing myself from the picture, hell, from the fucking city, I would make things easier for her.
But she lost weight. Her cheeks lost some of their color. And while she still looks a hell of a lot better than she did when the bodyguard I hired for her had to rush her to the hospital a few months ago, she doesn’t exude the same joy as when I pegged her with a snowball back over the Christmas holidays.
Her laughter calls out to me and my neck snaps in her direction. Sure enough, Mckenna is hugging her father and his girlfriend Jeannie. Allegra and Reign are here. West and Nova. Ivy, Levi, and even my brother.
I push off the wall and walk toward the group. I’m happy they showed up for Mckenna. My girl deserves all the support in the world and a flicker of pride sparks in my chest that Jameson is here for her today.
“There he is,” Reign calls out, his face splitting into a grin.
“When’d you get back in town?” my brother asks, looking equal parts confused and relieved.
“Last night,” I reply, shaking Mr. Byrne’s hand.
“Good to see you, son,” he says quietly.Son. The fact that he would still use that term to apply to me—even now—twists me up inside.
“You too,” I rasp out. “I couldn’t miss this.”
“Our girl did it,” he agrees, sliding an arm around Jeannie.
I kiss Jeannie’s cheek. Then, I greet Allegra, Ivy, and Nova. I shake West’s hand, slap Levi on the back, and give my brother a bear hug.
Reign snorts. “You’re such a fucker.”
I grin, turning to hug him hello. “A fucker you missed.”
“Bet,” he agrees.
I turn toward Mckenna who continues to stare at me as if she can’t believe I’m here. As if she doesn’t fully trust it.
“Congratulations, beauty,” I say, handing her the bouquet of flowers.
“Thank you, Mav,” she replies quietly.
“We’re heading to lunch,” Mr. Byrne announces. “All of us.” He looks around the group, his smile wide. “I have a reservation at Carter’s Steakhouse.”
“Not The Ivy?” Allegra mutters under her breath. Luckily, Mr. Byrne doesn’t hear her, but Nova scoffs. So much of our band drama has gone down at the trendy restaurant and no doubt, right now, with me showing up out of the blue, tension thrums under the surface.
“Thanks, Mr. Byrne,” Ivy says graciously. “I’m riding with Nova, West, and Stella.” She gives Stella’s stroller a little push and I dip my head to catch sight of the sleeping toddler inside.
“Levi can ride with A and me,” Reign offers.
“Great.” Mr. Byrne gives his daughter a long look before his eyes cut to mine. “I took the sports car so can Kenny ride with you?”
I almost snort at how obvious he’s being but say, “Of course.”
Mckenna doesn’t voice an objection, and I breathe a little easier. We hold back as her family and our friends move toward the parking lot.
Finally, Mckenna looks at me. I want to drown in those navy eyes. I want to wrap her in my arms and kiss the freckles that fan out over her nose and cheeks. Christ, I missed her so much that just seeing her hurts. Aches. It transports me to the twenty-four hours after she signed the papers when I wondered if I’d ever breathe normally again.
Hell, maybe I should have stayed in Costa Rica because this, with her, is fucking agony.
