26. Tobias
Chapter 26
Tobias
I 've kept out of Amelia's way all week. Not because I wanted to but because I needed to. We've seen each other in passing, but I've made myself scarce, hanging out at Harry's and pushing Jen's patience to its absolute limit.
I've also spent some time at Zane and Tessa's place. She's got this way of making the world feel less heavy, and we've got our thing—movies and zero judgment when life feels like it's imploding. It's a safe space, even if we both know it's just a band-aid on a bullet wound.
Tomorrow, Amelia and I are headed to Pennsylvania to see our parents. She doesn't know I'm riding shotgun yet, but there's no chance in hell I'm letting this opportunity slip through my fingers. Hours trapped in a car together might blow up in my face, but screw it—we need this—both of us.
When I walk through the front door after work, the sound of the TV greets me, and it takes exactly three seconds for the familiar voice to chime in with, "XOXO."
I don't even need to look at the screen to know what it is. How many times has she rewatched this now? Five? Ten? It's a ridiculous number, but it's her ridiculous number. It's her comfort show, her go-to when her world's a mess and she needs a soft place to land. And now I just feel like an ass for bailing without an explanation.
I step further inside, dropping my keys on the counter with a soft clink, and there she is—curled up in her spot like always, legs twisted into that human pretzel thing she does, wrapped in the blanket she's claimed as her own. The glow of the screen dances across her face, and for a second, I stop and stare. I should say something. Apologize. Break the silence that's been building all week.Instead, I let the moment stretch out, let the silence wrap around me, and let her presence do what it always does—steady me in a way nothing else can.
"Hey," I say softly.
Amelia doesn't turn her head, but I hear a gentle "Hey" slip from her lips, so quiet it's almost lost under the sound of the TV.
"What season are you on?"
"Three," she replies, still not looking at me, her eyes glued to the screen.
Before I can talk myself out of it, I lean down and kiss the top of her head in the affectionate way I always have.
"I'll leave you to it," I whisper. "We've got a long day tomorrow, so you might want to get some sleep."
"Why do you have a long day?" she asks, and for the first time since I walked through the door, she turns to look at me. Her gaze meets mine, and it nearly floors me. In her eyes, I see everything I've been feeling this past week. The confusion. The exhaustion. She's tired of fighting. But like me, she doesn't know how to build the bridge back to us.
"Long drive to Pennsylvania," I answer, holding her gaze. "But at least we can take turns behind the wheel."
"Why aren't you flying? You always fly."
"Not this time. I'll see you in the morning."
She doesn't say anything at first, but then her voice softens, cracking just enough to remind me of the girl I've been missing. "Goodnight."
I walk away, closing my bedroom door behind me, and that one word does more for me than I thought it would. It's not exactly forgiveness, but it's enough.