Page 57 of Fourteen Years

“Paul would’ve been…” Monica’s voice trailed off, shaking her head.

“I know,” whispered Becks.

Chapter 34

One Month Later

“Would you slow down?”

Trevor griped at me as I finished placing the cake on the table. I turned and glared at him.

“Excuse me. It's not everyday that your best friend gets to bring her son home from the hospital.”

“I just want you to be careful.” he interjected, staring at me with those green eyes.

“I know,” I spoke softer, knowing he was still scared of how hurt I’d been and how much we’d been through this year. “But, I’m fine. All healed. If anything, doing this is helping me work through things. Our godson is coming home today!” fully aware that I was squealing.

Lacey walked into Becks and Lucas’ kitchen, crossing her arms and staring at us.

“Hey, sweetie.” Trevor wrapped a large, tattooed arm around her and pulled our daughter close. She was struggling with Jackson’s death and the trauma that came along with it. We all were. It was so hard to see someone who had just started out in their life get it cut so short and so quick. Combined with it being during her senior year and after losing Paul? We’d decided to put her into therapy. Both of us were shocked when she’d readily agreed. Becks had referred us to a therapist in the same clinic as the one she went to and it was going well although slow.

The doorbell rang and I heard Lexi and Nat running to answer it. Walking out to stand behind them I smiled at Nick and Caroline. My eyebrow quirked taking in their mannerisms, awkward and tense.

“Hey, guys. I’m so glad you two could come. Caroline, I told you that you didn’t have to bring anything!” I exclaimed.

“It's just a lasagna they can eat tonight, or freeze for later, some cupcakes, and cookies. We’ll just say it's my gift.”

“She wouldn’t let me help her up with them.” Nick practically growled, pushing past me and going into the house.

The poor man was taking Jackson’s death horribly, shouldering the blame like he’d been his son to take care of. I knew Lucas and Trevor had been trying to talk to him, keep him company as much as they could. But Nick, although being all of our friend, had always been a bit of a mystery to us.

I looked back at Caroline, watching her blue eyes follow Nick disappear into the kitchen. Lacey and Trevor’s voices greeting him.

“Girls, why don’t you take the stuff into the kitchen for Caroline?” I asked the two younger girls.

Once they’d gone on their way with the items I really gave the other woman a once-over. She looked like she was a mess. More tired than usual and her smile wasn’t making her blue eyes light up.

“Are you okay?” I asked, worriedly.

Caroline shook her head, her blonde ponytail bouncing with the movement.

“Oh, I’m fine. Just a little tired.” she spoke, stepping forward and hugging me. “When will Lucas and Becks be here?”

I glanced down at my smart watch.

“Any minute actually.” I grabbed her arm pulling her inside, forgetting to give her the third degree. That could come later. I’d have Becks as back up for it.

Caroline laughed as I pulled her into the living room, the men and girls coming in. I watched Trevor observe Nick glowering at Caroline and he looked at me questioningly. All I could do was shrug. Something was definitely going on there. Trevor glanced out the window when we heard a loud engine.

“They’re here,” he proclaimed. Nat took off out of the room, flying through the front door. When Lexi made to follow, I grabbed her wrist.

“Give them a minute.” I told her, pulling my tiny redhead to me.

I heard Lucas greeting Nat and Becks’ softer voice.

“Hey, Peanut!”

“Monica didn’t go overboard did she?”

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