Page 91 of Going Home

"I'll always take a hug."

Colt releases her to let their son take her into his arms. He ends up pulling her off the bed, and she laughs when they collapse onto the ground, Lex using her body to shield Noah from getting hurt. Lucas decides to join in, and Calla wiggles her way from Hailey to join the pile on the floor. For the first time in weeks, Colt hears Lex laugh. Really laugh. Not humorlessly, chuckling, or forced. True laughter.

Looking at Hailey, he lifts an eyebrow. She holds her hands up and shakes her head. "This is so not my thing."

"Suit yourself," he says and joins everyone, tickling Calla and making her squeal with laughter.

"Shouldn't we get going or something?" Hailey asks and leans against the doorframe. She looks at her fingernails as though bored.

"You're just jealous," Lucas says and stands. "You should've joined. It was fun."

She shakes her head. "I'm good. You okay, Lex?"

Sniffling, Lex lets Colt pull her up off the floor. "Are you worried about me? Hailey, are you showing that you care? That's so sweet!"

"I don't... That's not... Whatever," she says and storms away.

"One of these days, she's going to admit she likes us," Lex says and takes Colt's hand. "Let's go. We have a long day ahead of us."

Chapter Thirty-Two

Griffin's Beach

Felicity

Theservicewassadbut lovely, and they all just returned from the cemetery for the celebration of life. The clubhouse feels far too crowded but too big at the same time. Lane's gone. She's really gone, and it's one more item on the long list of regrets Felicity has.

I should have reached out to her. I should have known something was wrong and been there. At the very least, once I knew, I should've told her how much I'll miss her. That I'll help with Margaret however I'm needed. She will always live on through her daughter, and we'll make sure of it.

"Hey, are you holding up okay?" Ky asks.

Felicity whips around, startled, as he pulls her from her thoughts. "C-can we talk?"

Motioning his head towards the hallway, he gives a small nod and places a hand on the small of her back as they walk towards his apartment she knows like the back of her hand. "Sure."

He moves to sit on the bed, and the moment she shuts the door, she breaks down. "I've made so many mistakes in my life, and Lane is just the most recent one. I'm scared, Ky."

"Scared of what?"

The concern on his face breaks her even further, but mostly because he's holding himself back from comforting her. From taking her into his arms like he normally would when she's upset. She doesn't deserve the kindness he gives her, but she wants more. "I'm scared I can't come back from the terrible things I've done."

"Lex will forgive you."

"This isn't just about Lex. Ky, I need something from you. I know you don't owe me anything, but... please."

Standing, he bends his knees to lower himself as much to eye level as he can with their eight-inch height difference. "I'll do anything for you. What do you need?"

"Tell me about the night with Vicky."

"No," he says and shakes his head while stepping backwards. He stands up to his full height again and avoids her eyes. "I don't want to do that. That's why I never told you. It was the biggest mistake of my life. The worst thing I've ever done."

"Ky—"

"No," he says, his voice stern as he sits back on the bed, his elbows on his knees. He leans forward and shakes his head as he stares at the floor. "Please don't make me do that."

Walking towards him, she cups his face and stands between his knees. She guides his face to look at her, and she almost gasps at the look in his eyes. Fear. There are very few times she's ever seen him scared. It's also the first real physical contact they've had in two months.

"I read about it from her perspective, and I need to know if what she wrote was true. Please, Ky?"

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