Page 21 of Holding You
“Wonderful. Enjoy your afternoon.”
She pushes her cart down the aisle and disappears around the corner.
Short and sweet. Just how I like it.
Lovers is a small town, so I know they all know why I left after Max was born, but they don’t know the whole story, which is why most of them believe I left solely for financial reasons.
Yes, I had a choice back then, but it was different.
I was young and scared.
I also thought I was in love.
When Max was born, his father didn’t live here. His family vacationed at Lovers Lodge multiple times a year, but it wasn’t going to be enough for Colter. I went to Lovers High School; he went to a private school on the East Coast and was set to earn multiple scholarships. Colter (or his family) moving here didn’tmake sense. So they made me an offer. If I moved to Boston, I’d live with them, they’d pay for me to go to the same private school as Colter, they would hire a nanny to watch Max so we could both graduate as planned, they would pay for me to go to college, and we’d both get to be a part of Max’s life every single day.
Of course, it all came at a price. That family doesn’t just give you something and expect nothing in return.
Being a mom at seventeen is hard, but having someone ask you to leave everything you know in life is harder. But I tried to focus on how it would bring me to moments like the one I’m in now.
I have a degree and started my own graphic design company at twenty, and now I’m living back in my hometown the way I always dreamed I would.
I just wish I didn’t have to stress about money like I have lately.
I’m lucky that my dad is letting me live in his house so that I can save on rent, but I’m still out that money I owe to the Davenports.
God, I cannot wait to have that paid off.
I have to find a way to make some extra income this summer.
My phone rings, bringing me out of the daydream of the past.
I pull it from my purse and grin.
“Hello, this is unusual timing for you.”
The voice on the other end of the line chuckles.
“I had a break in my day and thought I'd call. Is Max around? Can I talk to him?”
I pause my cart to grab some cans off the shelf before I answer Colt’s questions.
His family would have a hernia if they heard Max and I call him anything other than Colter.
“Luca picked him up early this morning to go to the lake. They took Susie with them.”
“Whoa, Luca is taking one for the team and watching two kids?”
“No. Miles and Hudson are there and probably Declan, too.”
He chuckles again.
“You really don’t like this guy, do you? I feel the pain when you have to say his name all the way through the phone.”
“I have my reservations about him, yes. But his kid is cute and extra sweet.”
“I like that Max has a best friend.”
“Me too.”
