Page 176 of On Merit Alone
Chapter Forty-Six
Merit
Two monthslater
“Don’t go.”
The request was more of a pout from the man standing in front of me in the cell phone lot of the Denver International Airport, and it was not the first time. More like the fifth.
Casting a glance over my shoulder, I sent a knowing look at the two King women beside me. “Seriously, I thought Livy would be hard to manage, but he’s inconsolable.”
“And he can hear you,” Ira grumbled.
I sighed. Turning to the family Ira had lent me for the last few months, I intended to say a proper goodbye before I went off to Germany to begin my overseas contract until May.
Lisa was first. Looking at me solemnly, she pulled me into a hug. “Now make sure you send me your address as soon as you can. Just ask Iris. I love making care packages.”
“Okay,” I said, feeling my throat get scratchy.
The girl in question laughed as she wrapped me up in another hug. “She does love her care packages. Don’t forget to call meevery week so we can talk about the reality show. Don’t forget to watch, either! If you need my password just let me know.”
“Okay,” I said again, my throat getting scratchier.
Next was Ira’s dad. He gave the biggest, best bear hugs I’d come to learn. “Send me the link to all your games. I want to watch every point I can, Superstar.”
“Okay,” my voice hitched slightly.
Isaac, Neil, and Leah along with their babies came next in a big group hug. It was little Liv who spoke. “Come back soon, Auntie!”
And that’s what did it. My lip wobbled and I sucked in sharp air. “You got it, Liv.”
“Alright, alright.” A familiar hand ran the length of the back of my neck. Ira pulled me away from the swell of his family and tucked me by his side. “Say bye now. She’s got to go.”
My head sank to his shoulder as he stepped us backward. We watched as they all piled into their cars, my wave getting weaker and weaker as they began to file away. By the time the last of them were driving off, my entire face was buried into Ira’s neck.
His low voice rumbled against me as he murmured. “And I’m the inconsolable one?”
“I couldn’t help it,” I breathed out. “She called me Auntie.”
“She’s been doing that for a month,” he pointed out.
“Yeah. I didn’t put her up to it,” I said.
“I know.”
“She just started it on her own.”
“I know.”
“I’m going to miss her,” I sighed.
“Just her?”
I shook my head, amending. “All of them.”
“And me?” he asked.
This got me to smile. Pulling away from him, I looked up to his face. Beautiful, even in his grumpiness. He’d been an absolutegrouch for the last week. It was entertaining to say the least, even in its bittersweet reality.
