Page 86 of South of The Skyway

“Brex? Baby?” Silence answered my call. “Brex?” When she still didn’t respond, my heart sprinted from zero to jackhammer in half a second. Popping through the pocket doorway, I saw an empty living room and whipped my head to the bedroom.

Empty.

Breathing kicking up, I danced down the stairs, peripheral vision halting my feet before logic could catch up. She was sitting out on the deck, staring back at the property with a focus on her face. I hustled down the steps of the trailer, stepping onto the smooth, warm wood surface with bare feet. Her attention had shifted, now seemingly preoccupied with the erratic movements of a courageous little lizard as he came to assess the newcomers.

Cautiously, I hedged, “Brex?” When her eyes turned to me, brimming with emotion, I rushed to her side and pulled her against me. When she buried her watery eyes against my shoulder, I prompted, “Baby, what happened?”

She hoisted the laptop off the cushion beside her, swallowing audibly. “I did it.”

* * *

Rhyett

Brexley finished her book yesterday.

Jameson

Too bad she didn’t finish you.

Rhyett

Watch your mouth, asshole.

Elora

James, ew.

Rhyett! That’s amazing. How’s she feel about it?

Rhyett

She’s been pretty emotional. Ordered a printed copy to edit with.

Hadlee

So exciting! Does she think she’ll publish?

Rhyett

We’re navigating everything one step at a time.

Paxton

We’re?

Rhyett

That’s what I said.

Paxton

I know. There’s a ‘we’re’?

Rhyett

Oh. Uh, yeah. I think there is.

Elora

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