Page 30 of Never Really Over

“You’re definitely Nana Maureen and Auntie Laylay. That’s what I’m already calling you so just deal with it. My parents are going to be Oma and Opa. It’s the Dutch words for Grandma and Grandpa, at least, that’s what my mother tells me. Anyway, Bridget doesn’t have that close of a relationship with her family, not that they’re not supportive but they’re all in Georgia, so it’s not like they’ll be here constantly. We’ll need all the help we can get.”

“How far along is she?” my mom wonders, which makes me worry just a bit because I’m sure I told her two days ago but it’s possible she just simply forgot.

“Eighteen weeks. Two more weeks and we have an ultrasound appointment. Then we can find out the sex of the baby.”

“Let’s all pray it’s a mini-Bridget. Not sure the world is prepared for another you,” I say, big toothy smile taking over my face.

“Truer words have never been spoken, my friend,” he says, not at all bothered by my jesting.

I sigh and stretch out my neck, rubbing my shoulders for a bit.

“Still bothering you?” Dalton asks, knowing that my neck and shoulders have been bothering me for a couple weeks now. “You need to go to the chiropractor or something?”

“Not sure. I think it’s just tension, plus I haven’t done yoga since I got here aside from doing some poses in the living room.” I turn to Mom and ask, “Is there a yoga studio here or anywhere close?”

“Do I look like a yogi to you?”

“Well, you just used the term yogi so I assume you know what that means.”

She chuckles. “I’ve heard it on TV. But yes, there is a yoga studio here. It’s in the back of that new salon on Main Street.”

My spirits instantly lift and I sit up a little straighter in my seat. “I’ll check it out. And you’re coming with me,” I add on, having the idea that it will definitely help her physical recovery.

“I am? No. I’m not. There’s no way. I’ll look like an idiot.” She shakes her head and wrinkles her nose. “You’re lucky you’re pretty since you say such asinine things.”

“Oh, come on, Maureen,” Dalton encourages. “I’ve even gone a few times. I felt weird, sure, but it’s really good for the muscles. I didn’t think I’d enjoy it, but I felt so good afterward. I think it’d be good for you.”

I shoot Dalton a grateful smile and he nods his understanding.

“I don’t know,” Mom says, looking nervous as she fidgets in her seat. “I still have a lot of tunnel vision. And my arm’s still in the cast,” she reminds me, holding it up to show me like I’ve forgotten already.

“We’ll go to a beginner class and let the instructor know what happened with the accident and not until the cast comes off. Most instructors are really good about knowing what each individual is capable of and not pushing boundaries beyond that. Dalton’s right. It’ll be good for your healing.”

She looks satisfied with my answer and a little more sure of the idea. “Okay, but like you said, let’s wait until the cast is off.”

“Deal.”

“Dalton to the rescue again,” he says with a wink. “Now that my work here is done, mind walking me out?”

“What? You just stopped for a snack and now you’re bailing?”

“And to see two of the prettiest ladies in Hollow Grove.”

Mom and I groan simultaneously. He says goodbye to her with a kiss on the top of the head and I, for some reason, walk him to his car.

“What’s this about?”

“You need to see him,” he announces without a moment of hesitation.

“Who?” I’m the picture of innocence, looking down at my nails, picking at a cuticle. No clue who he could be talking about. He, unfortunately, sees right through my lie.

“Say his name.”

“Don’t know who you’re talking about,” I lie.

He scoffs and sighs heavily. “You’re a stubborn shit, you know that?”

I shrug. I’m not sure what Dalton expects out of me, honestly. Colt’s been a sensitive topic since we broke up, which he knows, and it’s not as though Colt would be at all happy to see me. Plus, I messed up and there’s no way to fix it. I didn’t even call or stop to see him after his sister died and taking care of my mom isn’t an excuse. The truth is, my mom’s car hit theirs and she’s been waking up with nightmares from the guilt she has over it. Deep down, she knows it’s not her fault but it’s hard for her to fully grasp that. At one point, she loved Colt like a son and they might not be as close as they once were, but that love didn’t just go away.

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