Page 269 of The Billion Heirs Boxed Set
Words catch in my throat. He’s right. He doesn’t.
“Tell me about him, kitten.”
“He’s got a good heart. And he’s great at sports. Basketball and football are his favorites. He’s smart. Loves science and math. And he loves that damned skateboard. And video games. He’s stubborn and muleheaded, like someone else I know.”
Chance smiles. “I used to love basketball and football.”
“I know. I was there.”
“But I hate video games.”
“He may look like your clone, but he’s his own person. He’s not going to be a carbon copy of you.”
“I know that.” Chance finally removes his Stetson and places it next to the vase of flowers on the counter along the far wall. “Avery, tell me what to do. How do I make this right?”
“We can’t go back to the past, Chance.”
“Why the hell not? I have everything, Avery. I can give the two of you a good life. You’ll live on the ranch. Your mom too. I’ll teach Grady everything I know.”
“He’s a city kid, Chance. What if he hates the ranch? What if he hates small-town life?”
“He’s a kid. He’ll go where you tell him to go.”
I sigh, and a yawn splits my face. “Go home, Chance.”
“Avery…”
“Please. Just go.”
“But I love you, kitten. I fucking love you. I never stopped.”
I love you too, Chance. I never stopped either.
I want to say the words so badly, but they hover on my lips, never quite materializing.
“I had to move on, Chance. If I hadn’t, every time I looked at our son would have been painful for me. He needed me. He needed me whole.”
“Are you saying you don’t love me? That it’s him or me and never us?”
I don’t reply.
“Those kisses. That lovemaking. You love me. I felt it.”
Sadness sweeps through me, and my heart smashes into pieces. Chance won’t want me when he finds out I can’t give him anymore children. It’s better to end it this way.
“You can get to know Grady if you want to,” I say.
“Damn right, I will, but Avery, I want you too.”
“Please, Chance.” I will my voice not to break into sobs. “Just go home. Once Grady is recovered, we’ll figure something out.”
The next day is Saturday, and Mom picks Grady and me up from the hospital. We get him settled in his room with his video games, but with the sound turned off, no headset, and only for a few minutes.
I sit down at the kitchen table with a magazine, and Mom brings me a cup of coffee.
“What are you doing, Avery?”
“Reading Cosmo. What does it look like I’m doing?”
