Page 189 of Make Me Trust Again
“Hey.” A shiver runs through me making the goosebumps spread over my skin, so I wrap my arms around myself, rubbing at my upper arms.
Nico’s gaze darts over my shoulder just when I feel a warm body slide behind me. He tilts his chin in greeting. “Hey, how are you doing, man?”
“Still in one piece.” Chase’s hand slides around me, pulling me into his chest. “Do you have any news for us?”
Nico nods, his face turning serious. “There’s been an accident.”
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
CHASE
John O’Neil is dead.
I glance toward Rose, who’s sitting in the passenger seat, her eyes fixed out the window, but I can see that she’s lost in her mind, probably still coming to terms with the bomb Nico Rivera dropped on us while we were at her parents’.
John is gone.
Died in a car accident after he fled the fair; the mix of alcohol in his blood and the speed was likely the cause of the accident. The only saving grace was that there wasn’t anybody else who got hurt in the process.
Opening the door, I slide out of the truck and hold the door open for Kyle to jump out, followed by the dogs.
Kyle’s eyes are serious as they meet mine.“Mom’s sad again. Is it because of Dad?”
“She’s…” I run my hand over my face, unsure of how to phrase it for him to understand. I don’t know what she’s feeling because she didn’t tell me.
After Nico told us the news, it was like Rose dissociated. There was a moment of surprise, but quickly she pushed anyfeelings deep within her and focused on Kyle. She wanted to tell him immediately, not just because he saw that Nico came and something was clearly going on, but she didn’t want him to hear the news about his father’s accident from other people.
“She’s trying to process what happened. How she’s feeling.”
Kyle nods, but I’m not sure he understood me completely.“He’s really not coming back?”
“No, he’s not coming back. I’m sorry, buddy.”
Kyle’s little shoulders lift in a shrug.“He wasn’t around much anyway.”
Hearing Kyle say this so nonchalantly is like a punch to my gut. A seven-year-old kid shouldn’t be unwanted. Shouldn’t know what it’s like for his parent not to pay him any attention, not to love him. That’s the part I’ll never understand. How can somebody not love this kid? He’s so smart and talented, so kind and funny.
“I’m sorry about that, too.”
Kyle glances down, his voice coming out muffled.“It’s okay, I have Mom.”He gives a little peek in my direction.“I have you?”
I don’t miss the trace of uncertainty in his tone as he voices out the words, making them seem more like a question.
“You sure do.” I cup his cheek, lifting his head, so he can read my lips easily. “I’m not going anywhere, Ky.”
A small smile appears on Kyle’s lips before he wraps his arms around my middle. “I love you, Chase.”
I suck in a long breath, my hand running down his back. The weight of his words settles on my heart; it still feels heavy, and if I’m being honest, a little bit scary, but I embrace it regardless.
Leaning down, I press my mouth against the top of his head, and although I know he can’t hear it, I say it anyway, “I love you, too, Ky.” Squeezing him back, I let him take the time he needsand only let go once he does. “Why don’t you take Shadow and Teddy and go home? We’ll come in a little bit.”
Nodding, Kyle calls to the dogs, and the three of them run away. I watch them until they disappear down the gravel road before turning around.
My house is dark, and it will most likely stay that way. Walking around the car, I find Rose still watching blindly through the windshield. Carefully, I pull the door open. She blinks, her gaze coming into focus. Rose looks around, confused. “Are we home already—” Her words trail off as she looks over her shoulder and finds the back seat empty. “Kyle? Where?—”
I place my hand on her forearm, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “Went to the house with Shadow and Teddy.”
Rose lets out a long breath and nods. “I guess it’ll take some time before I stop panicking.”
