Page 60 of Always Mine

Now it’s my ma’s turn to cut in. “You are pretty bad.”

“Thank you!” Wyatt yells, pumping a fist in the air. “Someone sane agrees with me.”

“Okay, one—” I point to my mom“—you’re supposed to be on my side, and two—” I turn to Wyatt—“sane? Her? Have you met her?”

“Nana, I hope you have a spare bedroom in your house for Paxton. He’s homeless as of...” She pauses, tilting her watch for dramatics. “Twenty seconds ago.”

“Come here, my sweet boy. I’ll take care of you.” Nana waves me in and I go easily, wrapping my arms around her middle and putting on my Oscar-winning performance for best cry.

“I’m glad someone loves me,” I mutter, milking this for all it’s worth.

“Always so dramatic,” Wyatt says, and I couldn’t stop my smile even if I wanted to.

I love this. The banter, the family dynamic. It’s all such a blast from the past and I never want it to end. It’s as if somehow, the stars realigned and we’re back in our element.

Please, let us stay like this. At least for a little while,I pray.

And for once, I think the universe actually listens.

TWENTY-ONE

Wyatt

“How are things going there?”

I press the speaker button and then put my phone on the dresser so I can get ready.

“Surprisingly? It’s going pretty well.”

And it is. I never in a million years thought I’d find a way to live comfortably with Paxton’s presence again but somehow he’s proven me wrong. I’m actually starting to look forward to seeing him. He’s growing on me again, and so has all our time we’ve spent together lately.

“Everyone behaving?”

I pause, hand on my closet door as I glance to where my phone is sitting. I can’t see Cooper’s face, but there’s something in his tone that’s unsettling. I know he’s having a hard time not being here with everything happening, though he hasn’t outright said it.

“Yes. Nothing to report,” I tease, trying to keep the mood light. Cooper hasn’t directly asked me about Paxton since he’s been here, but he’s always hinting. I almost always evade the question, not wanting to dive into it all with him. I don’t know how much longer we can avoid the inevitable though. I’m also worried Cooper won’t be happy about the progress we’ve made becoming somewhat friends again.

It’ll come from a place of concern, I know that. Cooper doesn’t hate Paxton, but with everything Cooper’s done to protect me from myself, I know he won’t think it’s a smart decision. Maybe it’s nothing, or maybe getting closer to Paxton is the worst thing I’ve ever thought to do, but fuck it, I’m doing it. I guess I just don’t want to hear someone tell me I shouldn’t.

“Okay, well, you know you can talk to me about it, if you need to.”

I do know that, but again, I’m flooded with a lot when it comes to this. The biggest thing being guilt. I’m guilty over Paxton with Cooper, and I’m guilty over Cooper with Paxton…which is ridiculous. I have nothing romantic going on with either of them.

I don’t think they’ll see it that way though, and that’s what scares me. I don’t want to lose Cooper, but I also don’t want to lose Paxton again.

Jeez, why does life have to be so complicated?

“I know, and I appreciate that, but honestly, things have been going really well here.”

He hums thoughtfully before turning the conversation to his job, and I’m thankful for the subject change. As much as I love Cooper, I think it’s best to have any conversation about Paxton in person. It’s hard to gauge true reactions when I can’t see his face.

When he’s home in two weeks, I’ll talk to him about things. Besides that, I’m ready to see him because I miss him a lot. I’m so glad he’s loving his job, but I hate not seeing and talking to my best friend every day.

“Are you ready to come home?” I ask, sliding on and buttoning my jeans.

“I am. Hunter is too. He won’t stop talking about Ember.”

It’s impossible to hold back my annoyed grunt. Those two are so wrapped up in each other and it’s driving me and Cooper up the wall. They’re the definition of a honeymoon couple right now, and while it’s cute, it’s annoying as hell.

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