Page 40 of Parrish

“After that—”

Wolf is cut off by Jack.

“Nico is outside, he’ll drive you to take Danny to school,” he says. “I don’t want you upset and behind the wheel.”

“I can take my son to school,” I snap. “I don’t need Nico as chaperone,” I add, crossing my arms defiantly against my chest. As Jack and Wolf exchange a look, I make my way over to Danny. Hoarsely, I tell him to give his father a hug. The room goes silent as the legs of the chair scrape against the floor and Danny runs to Jack. He hugs him from behind and I turn my head unable to watch as father and son say their final goodbye.

When they finally pull apart, Jack orders Danny to go get his backpack from his room. It’s a cop out and we both know it. An excuse not to walk away from him. A calculated move to lessen the guilt of abandoning our son.

Danny being the good boy he is, listens to his father and before his feet hit the stairs, the rest of the room clears out, leaving Jack and I alone one more time. I feel him come up behind me and when he wraps his arms around my waist, I lean against him. Closing my eyes, I breathe in his scent and as I move my hands to cover his, he releases me.

Another cop out.

“Go,” I whisper.

“Reina—”

“I don’t want to look at your back as you walk out the door, so please just…just go.”

Outside the engines of the motorcycles roar to life, signaling our time is up. Jack’s boots pad across the tile and with every step they grow fainter and fainter. The front door opens, and I hold my breath. Part of me prays for a miracle, the other part, the logical part knows it’ll never happen.

“I love you,” he calls. The door closes and my strength wilts away as I drop to my knees in the kitchen. A sob escapes the back of my throat and I lift my hands to cover my face. My son runs into the room and falls to the floor beside me.

“Mommy,” he whispers, wrapping his arms around me. “It’s okay. Daddy will be back one day.”

Oh, my poor sweet boy. If only he knew the truth.

Broken promises.

Regrets.

A love plagued by darkness.

Two aching souls scarred.

Two broken hearts fighting to survive without light.

If only he knew we just surrendered.

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