Page 86 of Feels Like Falling
“I think he still does,” I confess and she nods.
“I think he does too.”
“Are you staying here? In Blackstone Falls?” She doesn’t answer right away, her fork slicing through the layers of chocolate.
“I’m…I’m not sure. I guess it depends.”
“On what?”
“On you, a little on Evan, and a little on my mom.”
“I don’t want you to leave. Like at all. And I mean, you have a job here already—seems silly to just up and go already.”
She laughs and tips her head from side to side. “It’s been a lot getting here. The buildup and then the blowup,” she adds wryly before sobering. “I’m sorry about the way you found out—that was never my intention.”
“Things with our father are complicated. They always have been, and it’s going to take a long time before I can forgive him. That’s on him not you.”
“I still hate the way it happened though.”
“I’m not sure it could have happened any other way honestly.” Grabbing two glasses, I fill them with milk, handing one to Arden before setting mine on the counter. “Is…is your mom mad at me?”
“Definitely not,” she says without hesitation. “She’d actually like to meet you when or if you’re ready.”
“Really?” A feeling of hope blooms in my chest.
“Really. She’s amazing and she’ll love you.” She doesn’t sayjust like I dobut it hangs between us all the same.
“Well, I’m looking forward to meeting her.”
“And things with your boyfriend, are they okay?”
“They will be—a lot of that is on me though. I mean on Dad too. But Montana and I will be okay; I’m gonna make sure of it.”
Tilting her head to the side, she stares at me. “How are you going to do that?”
“I’m pulling out all the stops.” I grin. “Wanna help?”
Worrying her bottom lip with her teeth, she nods. “Yeah, I think I do.”
* * *
”I brought wine!”Bea says as she wraps me in a one-arm hug as she crosses the threshold into the house. “This requires wine, right?”
“So much wine,” I confirm as she pulls back, Archer hovering in the entryway. “If I hug you, does that make it worse,” I start while motioning to his shuffling feet and the blush creeping up his neck, “or is it like ripping off the Band-Aid because I’ve known you almost my entire life?”
“I have no idea,” he says, exasperated even though he can’t fight his smile.
I squeal and launch myself at him hard enough for him to stumble back and grunt from the impact. Bea’s laughter behind us has the exact effect I was going for as Archer shakes his head and laughs too.
“See? Isn’t this easier?”
“What? Being tackled by a kindergarten teacher moonlighting as a linebacker?”
I snort as I accept a glass of wine from Bea and shake my head. “We’re practically family with you bein’ Montana’s cousin and all.”
Archer rolls his eyes but it’s more fond than annoyed. “It’s hard to say no to that guy.”
“Hard to say no to who?” Arden asks as she walks in the room, her hair pulled up into a messy bun on the top of her head.
