Page 55 of Where the Blacktop Ends

If my heart hadn’t ached before, it sure does now.

I feel it—that slow, searing burn creeping up the back of my throat that tells me tears are coming. It’s been so long since I’ve felt something this real, this raw. For a fleeting second, panic grips me. What if it all spills out at once, right here, in front of Georgia and my grandson?

I clear my throat, forcing down the tightness threatening to rise, and give a small shake of my head to steady myself. “I love you, Liam. I’ll try to be home for bedtime more often, okay?”

Georgia’s eyes flick to mine, a hint of concern flashing across her face. She sees it—the crack in my composure—but before she can say anything, a car horn blares from outside, shattering the moment.

“That’s Eleanor,” she says, her voice trailing off hesitantly. “She asked if she could take Liam for the night... even though it’sThursday. I think she’s missing spending time with him during the week.”

“Oh...” I try to hide my disappointment, especially after that tender moment. But I can never say no to Eleanor. She’s been like a grandmother to him and if she wants him a night earlier than usual, I won’t say no.

“Unless...” Georgia hesitates, watching me carefully. “You’d rather he stay?”

How could she have known that I was coming home early just to see him? I hadn’t told her, just like I haven’t communicated much of anything to her lately regarding my plans. I’m constantly leaving her in the dark, consistently forcing that look of disappointment to cross her face. I stand up and shake my head because it’s just one night and he’d be asleep anyways.

“It’s fine. She loves him, and he loves her. Let him have his fun. I’ll see you tomorrow, Liam?”

He nods his head with a grin before Georgia ducks into his bedroom, returning with a small overnight bag she must have packed earlier today.

“Want to walk him out?” she offers.

I scoop Liam into my arms, grab the bag, and head down the steps while Georgia lingers at the front door.

“Hi, Eleanor,” I greet her.

“Well, hey there. I wasn’t expecting to see you here tonight, Troy.”

I smile, though the sting of her words hit harder than they should. Honest, yes, but a reminder of how little I’ve been around lately.

“I’m trying to be home more often for Liam’s bedtime.”

She gives me a knowing smile. “I would too if Georgia was his nanny.”

My jaw slackens. Eleanor is usually steady, no surprises, having cared for Liam the past two years and Max for fifteen years before that. At her age—well into her 70s—she’s not one to throw out little jokes like that.

“What? You think I don’t have eyes?” she adds with a chuckle. “That girl’s not just sweet as honey; she’s smart, beautiful too. Doesn’t hurt to have something nice to look at around the house when you’re here alone.”

She tosses the overnight bag into the backseat, straps Liam into his car seat, and shoots me a wink. “You two have fun tonight.” And then slides into the driver’s seat and pulls away, leaving me standing there, dumbfounded.

She’s not wrong. Itisnice to look at Georgia, even if I’ve tried my damnedest not to. When I step inside the warm house, Georgia’s waiting by the door, a striped towel draped over her shoulder, smiling. She smells like Liam’s lotion and her brown eyes are twinkling with the same playfulness they had that night in the steam room.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m going down to the beach for a swim,” she says casually, like it’s the most normal thing in the world.

I glance out the window, frowning. “It’s almost the end of October. The water’s going to be freezing.”

She just shrugs, completely unfazed. “It’s a full moon tonight, and the air’s still. If the water’s cold, I’ll warm up when I get out. Plus, ice baths are supposed to be good for you. Boosts circulation, releases endorphins—elevates your mood. You coming?”

Everything about this is a bad idea. I know it. There are plenty of reasons I should just stay inside, let her go on her own.

But with Liam at Eleanor’s for the night, there’s nothing holding me back. And after that email from Colt’s lawyer, a distraction sounds damn near necessary.

Before I can overthink it, the words leave my mouth. “Sure. I’ll meet you out there.”

I turn and head upstairs to change, ignoring the voice in my head telling me this is only going to make things much more complicated with her.

Chapter 20 – Georgia

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