Page 91 of Just This Once

Her lost boy has been found.

A man no longer searching for what he wants. Because heknowswhat he wants.

And I have the awesome privilege of keeping him. Supporting him. Lifting him up. Standing by his side as he has stood by mine.

I won’t let him go.

All I need is for him to wake up.

I lock my fingers together, squeezing them, attention on the linoleum, unable to meet his mother’s gaze. “He’s a good man. He’s been there for me and my kids in ways I can’t even describe.”

“He cares about you,” she says without hesitation.

That is easy enough to admit, and when I finally lift my eyes to her face, she’s smiling in a way that is so similar to her son, it is another physical blow. I have to witness that smile again.

I need to.

“I care about him too.” Tears threaten to spill over, but I blink them back. I won’t break down in front of her, not when I know what she must be feeling. I need to be strong for her. For Dante.

“I’m glad you’re here, Taryn. He needs you right now. He needs all the love he can get.” She places her hand over mine, still knotted together, but the gentle pressure has me relaxing until I turn my palm up, folding my fingers over hers.

We sit in silence for a minute, a comfortable affection passing between us. Then Angela speaks again, her voice filled with worry. “I never liked him riding that motorcycle. I always feared something like this would happen.”

I agree with a frustrated huff. “I know. I’ve ridden with him before, and it’s terrifying. But he loves it. I wish he didn’t.”

Angela sighs with her whole body. “He’s my baby, no matter how old he gets.”

I squeeze her hand in mine, wiggling it so she’ll focus on me. “The worry never ends.”

“We’re mothers. It’s what we do.”

We share a smile.

Despite the circumstances, I feel a sense of comfort in Angela’s presence, and I can see where Dante gets his warmth and kindness from.

I haven’t had the embrace of my mother in a long time, but I can guess I would enjoy his mother’s hug. I only hope that we will come out on the other end and have reason to celebrate.

Until then, I close my eyes and pray to my mom to send me her strength. Because while I wish she and Dante had met on this plane of existence, I’m not ready for them to meet on the other.

Chapter 29

Taryn

Iblink my eyes open, the harsh fluorescent lights of the waiting room casting a cold glare. A dull ache radiates through my back and neck from falling asleep in the chair, and I carefully roll my neck side to side, noticing Dante’s parents both asleep across from me. After Angela and I talked, we sat together for a long time until we received the first update from the doctors in the middle of the night. They stopped the internal bleeding and put his leg back together with pins. He also has a few broken ribs and most likely a pretty severe concussion, but he would make it.

It was the first time I was able to take a deep breath since Griffin called me.

Sleep was still fitful, and it feels like I just fell asleep even though the clock on the wall reads 6:23.

My joints crack as I stand and push my hair back from my face. I need to use the bathroom and take a few unsteady steps in that direction until my muscles and bones all remember how to work again.

My heart too.

It beats wildly, like it’s figuring out its twin is somewhere in a room behind those heavy metal doors that have remained closed for the last few hours. I navigate the sterile hallways, lifting my hand in acknowledgment of the nurses before slipping into the bathroom where I use the toilet and splash water on my face.

I look hungover.

Feel worse than that.

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