Page 74 of The Heartbreak List

She smiles at that. “You ate a lot of it.”

“And I would do it again if I got the chance.” I take her hand in mine, interlock our fingers. “Which I won’t if we keep standing out here.”

“My mom is really struggling.” Her eyes glisten and she presses her lips together. “And all this change. When I’m supposed to gone by Christmas.”

“It’s hard.”

She nods. “That’s an understatement.”

“Well, that’s why I’m here. To make it easier.” If they’re going to have a problem with anyone, it’s going to be me. I’m the interloper here. The one who broke up Gray and Indy. Or at least that’s how they’ll see it.

I’m surprised her brother suggested this in the first place. Unless it was all a ruse to get me here so he could take a baseball bat to my knees. Which is totally possible. I’ve seen him swing a golf club. A bat is not that different.

“Okay.” She drops my hand and opens the front door.

We step into a small foyer full of warm woods and muted taupe walls. Vases of fresh cut flowers and the aroma of warm apple pie make me suddenly nostalgic for the late-night raids that Shae and I used to partake in when our parents would leave me to look after her. A lot of the time Cooper would join us. We’d fill our bowls full of whatever mom had baked for her network cooking show, adding all kinds of sugary treats. Actually, I don’t know how any of us slept or didn’t have stomach aches on those nights.

My stomach growls.

EJ chuckles as he rounds the corner and comes into view. “Good to hear you brought your appetite.”

I pat my flat abs. “Indy is rubbing off on me. I skipped lunch. But honestly, if there was any chance your mom was making that macaroni bake…I wanted to be ready.”

“When I mentioned Indy was working with a death coach, I told Mom how much you liked her casserole. So she cooked two. One for dinner. One for you to take home with you.” EJ wraps his arms around Indy and pulls her into a hug. “You look better, Sis. I was worried about you these last couple of weeks. And I like the hair. It’s vibrant. That was on the bucket list, right? You wanted to shave your head. And color your hair a bright color too.”

“You’ve seen my bucket list?”

“I helped Gray pick out what to help you mark off it. We figured it might get you out of your funk. And it looks like it worked.” He leads the way to the kitchen.

“Uh…” Indy wrings her hands.

She’s so nervous about telling them about the breakup. And how they’ll react. Her whole family loves the guy. We rehearsed what she’d tell them in the truck on the drive over. About him. About us.

It’s going to be difficult for her, but better to rip the Band-Aid off. Especially with the wedding to call off as well.

We reach the heart of the house where Indy’s mom is watching a pot on the stove while sipping from a goblet of white wine. Her eyes turn round as she greets Indy. “My baby. I love your hair.”

“It’s a wig, Mom. No dye.”

“I know.” The older version of Indy sniffles. “Your brother told me.”

“I warned them,” EJ says at the same time.

“It looks great. Truly.” Indy’s mom holds her gaze and smiles softly. A lot is conveyed without words in that look. Eventually, Indy’s mom turns her attention on me. “You must be Theo. I’m Sharon. It’s so nice to meet the man who is helping our baby girl.”

I let her drag me into a crushing hug. It’s been a long time since anyone has shown me parental affection. It fills a need in me that I didn’t realize I had. Makes me want to call my mom just to hear her voice. Reminds me that I should check in on Shae as well. “It’s great to meet you too.”

“EJ told us you’re a death coach.” She keeps hold of my arm as she steps back.

Indy suggested to her brother that being with me was like therapy the one time, and her entire family seems to be running with it. “That’s not exactly—"

“I’m so glad you’re helping our Indy.”

I catch Indy’s gaze and her encouraging nod. I’m not sure what the right step is here. Tell them I’m not a death coach or skirt around it. “I’m happy to be able to support her.”

“EJ also said that we should make a plan to go to a smash room. I’m not sure what that is.” She laughs depreciatively. “I’m showing my age, aren’t I?”

“No, ma’am.” I stiffen as a big bear of a man comes into the room.

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