Page 136 of She Wolf

“How long for?” he interrupts.

“We think until the end of November,” I tell him.

He looks up at Kate and wipes the back of his hand over his eyes as if trying to stave off tears.

“You aren't thinking this through,” he says and shakes his head.

My head rears back. “Excuse me?”

“Jack, be careful how you talk to your mom,” Gunner asserts for the first time ever.

“I…” Jack’s eyes start to well and his lip juts out. “I’m sorry I wasn’t being rude, but I don’t think you’ve thought about everything you need to.”

I fold my arms and sit down in a patio chair. “Explain it to me then.”

“Where will Kate stay when she comes home?” And, no, I absolutely did not include Kate in the decision we just made upstairs.

“Oh, Jack it doesn’t really—” Kate interrupts but then Gunner cuts in.

“Kate can come back whenever she wants and for as long as she needs. She’s a part of this family now,” he says, his eyes flitting to their clutched hands again.

“She has her own room here, her own space. I won’t do a thing to it. It will be hers for as long as she needs it.”

“See. I told you we wanted you. You even look like Gunner!” Jack beams up at her.

“Say, what?” Me, Gunner and Kate say at the same time.

“Yeah, brown hair, brown eyes. Everyone will think I’m your little brother, but you look like Gunner, and I look like Mom.” The tears seem to be stopping and his smile splits his damp cheeks. We all stand in silence trying to take in what he just said, until Kate’s face lights up.

“That’s right,” she says. “Everyone will think I have the cutest little sidekick ever!” Kate tickles him, probably trying to break the heavy atmosphere and he runs off,

with Biscuit yipping and bouncing behind him.

“He’s some kid,” she says once he’s out of earshot. “I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you for these last few weeks. Letting me stay here, making me feel welcome. I’ve felt so alone for a really long time, but not anymore. Thank you really isn’t enough.”

“Just make sure you come visit when you can,” I say swiping at a stray tear.

“Oh, I’ll do more than that,” she promises with a smile. It’s broad and bright and reaches her eyes and then she sprints off chasing after Jack.

Chapter Thirty-Two

Gunner

Coralie and Jack went back to their cottage two days ago. Kate had a final farewell sleepover at her friend’s house, while I stayed with Coralie. Now though, the morning for moving Kate safely into her dorms is upon us. She and Coralie are squirreled away inside her room getting everything ready to move.

I’ve got some Wolves merch she can parade around in, but I’ll give her that as a little parting gift. Along with a loaded-up dining card, a travel pass, and access to Wolves tickets whenever she wants, obviously.

We’ve asked Casey and the rest of the boys to take Jack for a skate so Coralie and I can focus on Kate. He’s really upset about her moving on, as is evident by the way he’s glued to my side now.

“Do you think we could arrange to speak to her once a week at the same time on the same day?” he asks while he puts the finishing touches to our Lego City hockey arena with one hand and stroking Biscuit’s head with the other.

I think about what it might be like to go to university. “I’d say we tell her to let us know what day and time would most suit her once she’s settled in and has her schedule.”

He nods as if he gets it. “Right, right, but probably Sunday night is best. Do you think she’ll come to meet me at games? Do you think she will come home a lot?”

“I think she really likes hanging out with you, but you need to be prepared dude, she’s going to get extra busy once the semester starts.”

More nodding. “You know what we should do? We should get her something to write down all your home games in and maybe something for all her big school stuff.”

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