Page 27 of When You're Gone
More tears blurred her vision. That was her whole heart right there. Those boys were her family. When they were together, they were invincible. When they were together, she was home.
The song was nearing the end when a grainy photo illuminated the screen. It was a picture from her eleventh birthday—a picture she knew so well. It was from the last birthday her mom was alive to celebrate with her. In the photo, her mom was hugging her from behind, and they were both smiling for the camera next to an enormous, slightly lopsided cake. Tori had begged for a “real” cake that year like the ones featured on her favorite baking shows. She insisted she didn’t want any other presents… all she wanted was that cake. So, despite the fact that a four-tier cake was a huge undertaking and an excessive amount of food to feed the dozen or so friends she invited to her party, her mom had spent hours in the kitchen to make her birthday wish come true.
The photo didn’t change after a few seconds like all the others. Tori glanced back at the guys, wondering if the projector was frozen, but they weren’t standing in the spot she’d seen them last. Her eyes landed on Rhett as he walked backward out of the sunroom, carrying an exact replica of the four-tier cake on the screen.
Jake followed closely behind, helping him lower the towering cake onto a little table. Rhett turned around to face the group, lifting a water bottle in a toast and raising his voice to be heard over the murmur of the crowd.
“Here’s to the girl I’ve loved since the first time she held my hand through that spot in the fence right there—” He pointed to the broken gap that connected their yards. “To the most generous, courageous, amazing human being I’ve ever known.”
Now he was looking right at her, pointing and grinning from ear to ear. “Happy birthday, beautiful. You are so loved, and I’m so damn lucky to get to celebrate you for all your years to come.” He spoke the last words directly to her before raising his water bottle and addressing the crowd again. “To Tori!”
Everyone repeated her name and drank in her honor as the song changed to “Home” by Edith Whiskers. She was on her feet a moment later, desperate to get to him. The tears hadn’t stopped falling, every emotion welling up and overflowing. Damn him for knowing her so well.
Rhett saw her coming and set down his bottle before turning to face her. She jumped, wrapping her arms and legs around him and knocking him off balance, but he held her tight while she grasped his face in her hands.
“I love you,” she sobbed, peppering him with kisses and clinging to him with every ounce of strength she had.
“I’ve got you,” he vowed as he lifted her up and held her close. “And I love you. So damn much.”
She buried her face in his neck. So much had changed and was still changing. But this—them—this was the stability she needed. He was what she craved. She would never not be grateful for his love.
“This party was amazing,” she whispered in his ear. “But I was serious about what I said earlier. I just want to be alone with my husband now.”
He grasped her hips and set her down on her feet, brushing away her tears with the back of one hand as he peered into her eyes and looked for the truth. She cocked one eyebrow, daring him to question her.
“What about the cake?”
“Well, since itismy birthday, maybe we could take some cake upstairs, and you’ll let me eat it in bed?” she suggested hopefully.
“You drive a hard bargain, beautiful.”
“I promise to lick up any mess I make,” she vowed.
Rhett turned his head to hide his laugh. She knew she had him now.
“Come on, you,” he instructed as they made their way over to the cake table hand in hand.
Jake was in full bartender mode behind the table, serving up slices and joking with everyone. He’d have no problem taking over hosting duties and wrapping things up for the night, just like he’d done so many times before.
“Two pieces, please. I want areallybig one,” she told Jake before glancing back at Rhett to add “And I’m not sharing.”
“Here ya go, birthday girl.” Jake handed her the oversized piece, then cut Rhett a reasonable slice. “I bet you only ran six miles today. Just a regular-sized piece for you, bro.”
Rhett rolled his eyes but accepted the plate. “So, listen, we’re just about done for tonight…”
Jake smirked and side-eyed them. “Let me guess. I’m in charge?”
A hint of guilt flashed across Rhett’s face. It wasn’t exactly fair to make Jake take over, clear out the house, and clean up. Maybe they shouldn’t have assumed he…
“I got this. You know I’m just giving you a hard time. But you better make a quick escape before anyone stops you. I can keep the party going down here, but I can’t help you if you can’t get away.”
Tori handed her cake to Rhett and wrapped her arms around their friend. He stumbled back slightly, caught off guard before he returned her embrace.
“Thank you for everything. I know he couldn’t have pulled this off without you,” she whispered in his ear. She felt the scruff of his facial hair move against her cheek as he held her close.
He pulled back to give her a once-over, his smile genuine and warm. He moved his hand to grasp the back of her head, pulling her into him and placing a kiss on her forehead.
“Happy birthday, baby. You know I’d do anything to make you smile. No thanks needed.”
