Page 150 of Wild Blades

We step closer to my new family. “I was just telling Wade here that we should all go out onto the ice together for Family Skate. That would be fun, wouldn’t it?”

She’s insane.

I like her.

Lola shoots me a massive smile and gives me a small wave then mouths,she’s the boss.

Cheerfully, Nicki adds, “Of course, Zane has yet to apologize to Kali, so he can’t join us unless he does.” She waves across athim. “Don’t worry, sweetie, I’ll drive you to Kali’s house as soon as we get back into town later to make your apology.”

Kali.

The mere mention of her name makes me feel like I’m drowning in self-pity.

It’s all very well, Nicki showing up, trying to give me everything she thinks I need.

But all I really need and want is Kali.

How do I move on without her?

I can’t.

CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE

Kali

“I’m here to apologize. As is Zane.” Head held high, Nicki stands on my doorstep looking glamorous and fabulous. A far cry from how I feel. “Lola let us in at security. I hope you don’t mind, sweetheart. I was unsure if you would see us otherwise. I know we’re the last people you probably want to talk to right now.” Her eyes flit to a nervous-looking Zane and back again. “More so this one. A thousand apologies will never be enough for what he did to you.”

I open my front door wide in welcome. “Please come in.” It’s below freezing today.

Nicki steps over the threshold and pulls me into a fierce embrace that has me falling apart. “I’m the one who should be apologizing, Nicki. Please forgive me. I should have told you as soon as I found out.” My body hurts, my eyes sting, where the tears keep coming from is anyone’s guess, and I swear I’m coming down with the flu. I feel dreadful. Worse than dreadful, it’s as if my heart has been dredged through a field of thorny roses, every one of them shredding it to pieces. My throat feels the same.

I can barely speak, don’t want to. Can’t work either because my head is consumed by him. Of my errors. Of what I could have done differently. Replaying every wrong move I made.

My voice is raspy. “I’m so sorry, Nicki. I really am.” I spoke with her on the phone a month ago, apologized then too, explained the sequence of events up until everything imploded.

Nicki leans out of our embrace and holds my face firmly between her black leather glove covered hands. “You have nothing to be sorry for. This was not your burden. Never was.” Her kind smile makes more tears fall down my face, which Nicki wipes away. “Sweet tea?”

“Yeah.” Tea with sugar seems to be what everyone thinks will cure my broken heart. Lola, my sister, Ellis, Joy, and now Nicki, when it’s pointless given I can’t keep it down.

Now seated around my dining table, I’ve barely taken two sips.

“I would like to apologize on behalf of my husband and my son, but I think it would mean more if it came directly from them both. Starting with Zane. Marcus will be in touch.”

I can barely look at him. He doesn’t scare me; I feel sorry for him though. He may be a clown, a foolish rich clown who has been left to do whatever he wants for way too long, but his father is also to blame for turning a blind eye.

“I was not aware of my son attacking you until Marcus told me the other evening. Told me many, many things he’s kept from me. For years.” Nicki draws a circle with her fingertip on the tabletop.

“Where is Marcus?” I ask.

“With Wade.”

“With Wade?” Her answer shocks me and saying his name out loud makes my head thump and my heart ache.

“Yes, Kali. It was time.” Nicki lays her hand over mine on the table. “He has a lot of explaining to do. As does Zane.”

“I’m really sorry, Kali.” Zane finally speaks, his apology sounding sincere. “What I did to you is inexcusable. I wouldn’t blame you if you never forgive me.”

Taking my time to reply, I nod. “Thank you.”

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